The chieftaincy tussle rocking Mburubu community, in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State took a different dimension on Wednesday as residents stormed Enugu capital, demanding the immediate dissolution of their town union.
The community is urging the government to set up an interim caretaker committee for the town union.
They also singled out a serving commissioner from the area, accusing him of engaging in “disruptive and anti-people actions”.
The aggrieved members of the community, who came in their numbers, presented a communique signed by 638 indigenes, drawn from the seven villages that make up the community: Amanato, Obinagu, Uhuagu, Uhuegbe, Umudara, Umunafo, and Amachi.
The communique was presented to the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, at the State Secretariat in Enugu.
They accused the serving commissioner of using his cronies to institute a case against the state government over the traditional rulership issues.
Presenting the communique, Prof. Alphonsus Njoku said they came to express their disappointment over how one of their sons had been dealing with them.
He stated that they desired a new traditional ruler using their 1976 constitution, which was used to elect their late Igwe, Chief Ogbuzuru Ezeh.
In his remarks, Mr. Nick Nwafor, a seasoned journalist from the community, who represented the stakeholders in the diaspora, said the community wants their town union to be dissolved.
He declared that they didn’t authorise their Town Union President, Mr. Emmanuel Edeh Ogbu, to take the state government to court.
Speaking on behalf of the Uhuegbe village, Ozo Kenneth Igbudu, an elder brother to Mr. Linus Igbudu, whom they alleged the serving commissioner wants to impose on them, said their village has been under series of harassments from thugs.
He stated that the Igweship of the community was open to all contestants and urged the state government to call one of its officials to order.
Addressing the community, the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Ogbodo, thanked them for expressing their anger without violence.
He stated that the process of electing a new traditional ruler had already started before it was momentarily stopped to allow for proper mourning of their late Igwe, Chief Ogbuzuru Ezeh.
He posited that the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah was committed to addressing all issues affecting development across communities.
He described town union leadership and traditional rulers as the bedrock of rural development and administration.
Deacon Ogbodo asserted that the discussion on the election of a new Igwe for the Mburubu community would commence immediately in a clear and clean manner as stated by their constitution after due consultation with the town union.
According to him, “I wish to applaud you for your peaceful coordination and behavior.
“We have heard all your complaints and will work towards resolving all the issues raised.
“Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s government honours the rule of law and order, and thus, we must work in line with the law.
“Your constitution is already gazetted by the ministry and is open for everybody to access.”
Ogbodo also confirmed that the community, through its town union, instituted a suit against his ministry, the state government, and the Attorney General of Enugu State.
He also stated that efforts were in place to resolve the issues to avoid troubles that would hinder growth in the community.
“On the issue of the court case, there is a suit against us from your town union.
“We will invite the town union, as they are the ones who drive the process of electing a new traditional ruler, to know those who sued the government, their numbers, reasons, and how to resolve it.
“Even though it is wrong for the town union which has been working with us to take us to court without proper consultation, we are one, and as partners in progress, we need to sit at a round table to settle every issue.
“Be rest assured that while we are trying to resolve this, we cannot allow any community to be held to ransom by any individual, group, or organization.
“I urge you to continue to comport yourself in a peaceful manner and avoid chaos, which could cause infiltration of bad elements that could lead to more problems for your community and the state.
“Just be rest assured that we have heard your cries and will work towards resolving everything,” he assured.
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