SOS: Concerned Nnobi Youths Protest, Call on Soludo To Stop PG, others from dethroning their Traditional Ruler
By Chukwudi Ebele
Some aggrieved Youths of Nnobi community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State under the auspices of 'Concerned Nnobi Youths' have called on His Excellency, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to stop the Nnobi Welfare Association President -General, Barr. Dom Okpala,and some other prominent members of the community from any ploy to dethrone Igwe Engr. Nich Obi under the guise of submitting a Peace Committee Report.
They also accused the PG of being biased and high-handed alleging that he has been working with the Chairmen of Ngo Nnobi and Ebenesi Nnobi quarters whose tenure had long expired instead of facilitating an election to replace them.
The Concerned youths took their Protest to the Government House Awka, Anambra State yesterday via a peaceful demonstration as they got wind that the PG and some community members were holding a meeting with the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy matters and Community affairs, Hon Collins Nwabunwanne alleging that the Final Report of the Nnobi Peace Committee convened by the Okpala Nnobi/Traditional Prime minister, Chief Ifezue Onyechi was doctored and submitted to the Commissioner without Reading it to the hearing of Nnobi general Assembly.
The protesters were carrying placards with such inscriptions as "Enough of Sacrilegious Witch-hunt against the Royal Throne", "Nnobi Peace Committee Report is a fraud", "Loss of Confidence in the leadership of the PG Barr Dom Okpala", "Etuka who has been the key agent of anarchy was planted by the PG to doctor the so-called Peace Committee Report", "Say No to Sit tight expired leadership of Ngo and Ebenesi Quarters", "Till date the Allegedly Doctored Peace Committee Report has never been proof read nor approved by the Nnobi General", "Etuka and Gburugburu Fighting Igwe for not being Imposed as their village Ichies", "Etuka and PG are working to dethrone the Igwe of Nnobi, "We want PG sacked, Nnobi PG is high-handed. Gburugburu, chairman of Ebenesi village and Dr. Pat Mbanefo, chairman of Ngo village are sit-tight leaders" among others inscriptions.
Speaking during the protest, the youth' spokesman, Emeka Eze flanked by Christian said that the youths were not happy with the situation of things at Nnobi community adding that they want Government to listen to their own voices.
"We are here basically for two major reasons. Firstly, Okpala Nnobi, Chief Ifezue Onyechi convened a peace Committee but along the line the report was doctored by the PG and Etuka which even resulted to one the members of the committee petitioning them to the Police".
"Till date the alleged doctored committee report haa never been proof read no approved at Nnobi General meeting", he claimed.
"The Igwe and the Igwe in council were never given any copy of the report instead the PG and his cohorts whose agenda was to sack Igwe Omenyili, an old man of 87 years refused to present the report to Nnobi people and the Igwe -in-Council but ran speedily to submit the report directly to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Community Affairs. What of if there are errors or omissions. Will you ask commissioner to give you back the report?," Eze alleged.
"Secondly, the Chairmen of Ebenesi and Ngo quarters, Chief Obiora Okongwu and Dr Pat Mbanefo respectively have been sitting tight in office since their tenure expired. They should vacate the seat for others to take over leadership" said Eze.
"We are here because Our Solution Governor has listening ears. Moreso, any person kicking against an authority like the traditional ruler's institution is Anti - Soludo Government," alleged Eze.
Also, Christian Izuegbunam reiterated alleging that the peace committee was hijacked by some people who wants to dethrone the Nnobi monarch saying that people whose tenure have elapsed or who has issues or outstanding cases should not have been appointed by the PG to be part of the committee.
Responding to the protesters,on behalf of the Commissioner for LG, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, The Ministry's PRO, Comrade Henry Nwasike , who commended the youths for their comportment said he was surprised to see the protests since a meeting between the Commissioner and Stakeholders of Nnobi community was ongoing as at the time they came to protest for the purpose of resolving the crises in their community.
He said their preoccupation was to ensure that they restore peace and tranquility in Nnobi in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo's vision of ensuring peace in every community in the State.
Nwasike asked the protesters to articulate their views on the Nnobi saga in writing and submit it to the Ministry so that they can have their own input which would help them arrive at fair judgment.
Nwasike said: "Soludo's Government will listen to you. It does not side anybody. Soludo's Government is for peace in the communities"
However, in a swift reaction when contacted on phone the PG of Nnobi, Barr. Dom Okpala said that there was no point referring to a baselase incident saying that the people who came for protest at Government House were mercenaries hired from neighboring communities.
"There were no youths that came to Awka from Nnobi for any protest. The legitimate youths that came to Awka from Nnobi were right inside the Government House with the Commissioner for a Stakeholders engagement meeting.
"The people you are referring to are hired mercenaries from Amawbia, Amansea and Ugwuoba communities. There is nobody like Eneka Eze in the entire Nnobi Youth but we know who was behind that".
" When the intelligent report came while we were having meeting with the Commissioner, the Youth leader, Amb Chigozie Aghaonu stood up and assured Nnobi stakeholders and the commissioner that those youths inside the meeting were the legitimate youths and cannot leave the juicy meeting or be distracted by people they don't know," said Okpala.