By Our Reporter
The people of Ishi-Ozalla Autonomous Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have raised alarm over a purported looming crisis in the area.
The President General of Ishi-Ozalla Town Union, Mr Obinna Nvene disclosed this in a letter dated April 22, 2021 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu Command, Mr Mohammed Aliyu.
Nvene attributed the looming crisis to an attempt by some highly placed politicians in the area to impose a traditional ruler on the community made up of 12 villages through an unpopular means.
Recall that Ishi-Ozalla Autonomous Community has been without a traditional ruler for about 16 years following the death of Igwe Frank Nweke (snr.).
Attempts to elect a new traditional ruler in the community had polarised the community, leading to alleged ostracisation of a section of the community due to conflicting interests.
Meanwhile, Nvene said that a larger section of the community were against the election of a new traditional ruler which the State Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters slated for April 24.
The PG called on the police commissioner to stop the election as that could pose a big threat to the relative peace in the community.
“The tension in our community is high with attack and reprisals going on almost on daily basis. So we have to avert this looming crisis by suspending the purported election until peace is restored in the community.
“We still have petitions from over five villages which we are addressing to pave way for all inclusive and peaceful election,” he said.
Nvene accused the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the town union, Mr Ikechukwu Igwe of colluding with some interests in the community to create avoidable tension in the community.
He said that Igwe, without his knowledge, placed a radio announcement to promote the election, adding that the PRO would share from the blame if something untoward happened in the community.
When contacted, Igwe said that the State Ministry of Chieftaincy Matters had in a letter dated March 31 informed the community of the election.
He said that it would be misleading for the PG to claim ignorance of the election notice given to the community by the ministry.
“The PG received the letter and called a meeting of the General Assembly during which we agreed to put up a radio announcement for election,” he said.
“The candidates have been screened. Everybody is getting ready for the election and there is no confusion in the community,” Igwe said.
