By
Ekene Okoye
Amakor Village In Nanka, Orumba North LGA, has called for intervention from the Anambra State Government to address the destabilizing activities allegedly orchestrated by Igwe Godwin Ezilo, the traditional ruler of Nanka, and his associates.
These actions, which include
the disruption of village administration, sabotage of community security, and
environmental degradation, are causing significant unrest and instability
within the community.
The Amakor Njikoka Development
Union (ANDU), the administrative body of Amakor Village, made this known to the
press in Awka, Anambra State capital.
Amakor Village under the
auspices of Amakor Njikoka Development Union (ANDU) was led by its Chairman,
Mr. Obinna Iloh. Also at the event were: Barr. Asina Okafor, Mr. Walter Muoneme
(Secretary, ANDU), Mr. Emma Mboma (PRO, ANDU), Elder Albert Okoli (Former
Chairman, ANDU), Elder Patrick Nnadili (Former Chairman, ANDU), Engr. Ugochukwu
Obiorah, Ichie Paul Ezike (Member, Igwe Cabinet), Barr. Emmanuel Iloh who acted
as the Spokesperson of Amakor, others were Nze Chinwike Enemuo, Comrade Uche
Emenike and Mr. Sunday Okoli.
Speaking at the event its spokesperson,
Barr Emma Iloh, said of Igwe Ezilo and his Associates, including Rev. Can.
Ifeanyi Ezike, Chinedu Emmanuel Nwofor (Aka Chinedu Emmanuel Obiekunie),
Cajetan Ifeanyi Ezeh, and Chukwudi Okeke, of manipulating traditional processes
to undermine Amakor's administrative structure leading to the wrongful denial
of the Onowu title to Amakor Village.
“Nanka's tradition stipulates
that the Onowo’s title should rotate among the seven villages based on seniority.
Following the death of Igwe Gilbert Ofomata from Enugwu Village, the onowu
title was due to pass to Amakor, the fourth village in line. However, Igwe
Ezilo and his allies bypassed Amakor, awarding the title to Chief Koffi Obijiofor
from Umudala, the fifth village, thereby disrupting a precedent that has stood
for hundreds of years.
“Despite a well-considered
judgment by Aguata High Court in 2021, which set aside the process that
produced Chief Koffi Obijiofor as Onowu and restrained Igwe Ezilo and others
from recognizing him. The court's orders have been flagrantly disregarded. Chief
Obijiofor continues to parade himself as Onowu with the backing of Igwe Ezilo
and the NPU, a blatant defiance of judicial authority that poses a serious
threat to communal peace,” said Barr Iloh
Barr Iloh stated further that in response to heightened
security concerns, Amakor Village initiated a security infrastructure project,
including the construction of reinforced gates on major access roads, noting
that these gates were intended to curb criminal activities and monitor
movements, contributing to the safety of the community, ‘’however, on October
24, 2023, thugs allegedly hired by Igwe Ezilo and the NPU dismantled and
destroyed these gates, leaving the village exposed to potential threats. This
act not only undermined community security efforts but also defied state
government directives encouraging local security measures,’’ he said.
“Amakor is suffering from
severe gully erosion, exacerbated by illegal sand mining activities. These
activities, reportedly sanctioned by Igwe Ezilo and facilitated by Chinedu
Emmanuel Nwofor, have led to the extraction of over 2,000 truckloads of sand,
significantly worsening the village’s environmental crisis. Despite a
government ban on sand mining in erosion-prone areas, these operations continue
unchecked, devastating local ecosystems and increasing the vulnerability of Amakor
to natural disasters.’’
Barr Iloh highlighted the
diversion and embezzlement of government resources meant for Amakor, ‘’during
the COVID-19 pandemic, palliatives intended for the village were allegedly sold
by individuals loyal to Igwe Ezilo, depriving residents of much-needed relief.
Similarly, state-sponsored palm and coconut seedlings meant for Amakor were
redirected to a select few, further demonstrating the systemic misappropriation
of resources.
He stated further that the
crisis in Amakor escalated following multiple unaddressed appeals and legal
actions. He maintained that despite submitting over ten letters to the Igwe and
the NPU, and eventually winning a court case, Amakor's grievances have been
continually ignored. That village even disassociated itself from the NPU in
2019, pending the restoration of the onowu title, but faced severe backlash, “Igwe
Ezilo and the NPU allegedly sponsored a parallel government within Amakor,
using local proxies to foment division and deny the village its rights and
privileges. This parallel administration, marked by the registration of a rival
union at the corporate affairs commission without community consent, has further
fueled tensions,’’ he said.
Barr Iloh, stressed its reason for its petition to the Anambra State House Of Assembly for a full-scale public hearing to investigate the denial of the onowu title to Amakor Village, the destabilization efforts by Igwe Ezilo and his associates, the illegal activities exacerbating gully erosion, and the misuse of government resources, urging the House Of Assembly to hold accountable those responsible for these injustices and to ensure the restoration of peace, order, and rightful administration in Amakor.
“There is urgent need for state
intervention to prevent further breakdown of law and order. I call on the authorities to uphold justice,
protect the community’s rights, and safeguard the future of Amakor village as
we remain hopeful that our appeal will be heard and that peace and stability
will be restored to our community,’’ he urged.
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