Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The traditional ruler of Akpakwume, Community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRM, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, has sent a “Save our Soul” message to the state government over alleged attack on his palace by some armed thugs.
Speaking to newsmen in his palace, Igwe Odenigbo, who is blind, alleged that his palace was attacked on the 23rd of December, 2024, by armed thugs led by one Livinus Okechukwu a.k.a (Zion Mgbidi Jericho).
According to him, the thugs carted away valuable items including his staff of office and certificate of recognition issued to him by the state government.
He alleged that the thugs came with different weapons including machetes, clubs, guns and daggers.
The President General (PG), of the town union, Mr Azubuike Okonkwo, said trouble started when an election was held and Mr Livinus Okechukwu was not returned as the Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu), of the community.
He said: “We are gathered here today because we want to liberate the community, we want to stop intimidation and oppression.
“We want to tell the world that our community is not a personal estate.
“On the 23rd of December, 2024, a coup was committed here. Somebody came and dethroned our “Igwe” (traditional ruler) unlawfully and the whole town is not happy about it.
“That is why we are gathered here to send a signal both to the government and the police.”
The PG claimed that the police were aware of the matter but yet have not done anything.
“The people that committed this crime are alive and known but up till now, nobody has been arrested.
Okonkwo appealed to the office of the Commissioner for Chieftaincy affairs to intervene on the matter in order for peace to reign in the community.
“We call on the commissioner for chieftaincy affairs and Local government, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, to please let peace reign in our community,” he said.
The PG traced the origin of the crisis to the dissolution of the cabinet by the Igwe which the Onowu kicked against hence he decided to rebel against the Igwe.
He said: “Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo dissolved his cabinet on its expiration and the Onowu is a member of the cabinet.
“Our town union constitution did not say that the Onowu should be a life Onowu.
“Onowu is just a member of the cabinet who was appointed as the second in command to the Igwe; so, at the expiration of that cabinet, that of the Onowu also expired.
“Igwe has reconstituted another cabinet and we don’t know why that should be a problem for some people.
“The entire community is behind our traditional ruler, a new cabinet has been constituted and the entire community is behind Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo and his new cabinet.
“We have confidence that the government of Peter Mbah will surely intervene in this matter and restore peace to our community.”
