By Emeka Chiaghanam.
A striking demonstration unfolded at the Government House, Awka, on Wednesday as women from Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State staged a naked protest, demanding the removal of their traditional ruler, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, over alleged gross misconduct.
Clad
in black, with some stripping to their waists, the women made an impassioned
plea to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, urging him to intervene against their
monarch, whom they accused of illegally selling communal lands.
The protest, which drew the attention of passersby and government officials, underscored the deepening crisis in Nimo, a town in Njikoka Local Government Area. Chanting sorrowful songs and wielding placards with inscriptions such as ‘Governor Soludo, Please Save Us From the Tyranny of Maximus Oliobi,’ ‘Our Farmlands Are Gone,’ ‘On the Decision of 27th December 2024 General Assembly Meeting We Stand,’ and ‘Governor Soludo, You Are Our Only Solution,’ the women alleged that the monarch had unilaterally sold a vast expanse of communal land known as Ana Owa; a land they say has, for centuries, been the lifeblood of their people.
Naked
protests are a rare but powerful form of resistance in Igbo culture, reserved
for moments of extreme grievance. The women, their bodies exposed in defiance,
symbolized their deep sense of betrayal and anguish over what they see as the
erosion of their ancestral rights.
Speaking
on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Chizoba Stella Odili lamented the loss of
their farmlands. ‘For generations, Ana Owa has been the backbone of our
existence. We are farmers; we depend on this land to feed our families. Now,
our monarch has sold it all without our consent. What are we expected to
do—starve?’ she questioned, her voice heavy with emotion.
According
to her, this was not the first attempt to challenge the Igwe’s decisions. ‘Our
husbands and sons have protested before, but no action was taken. Now, we, the
women, have come in our most sacred form to demand justice.’
At
the heart of their agitation is the claim that Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, in
collaboration with the President-General of the Nimo Town Development Union
(NTDU), Mr. Ekenenna Okafor-Omabor, has been selling communal land without
proper consultations or approvals from the general assembly. The protesters
further alleged that the monarch had become high-handed, using security
operatives to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices within the community.
In a
letter submitted to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo
Chukwulobelu, the women detailed how the monarch’s actions had plunged the
once-peaceful town into turmoil. ‘Our community, once united, is now engulfed
in endless disputes. Those who dare to speak against the sale of our land are
branded criminals, detained unjustly, and harassed,’ the letter read.
One
of their most damning allegations was that over 260 plots of land had been
secretly ceded to a neighboring community without informing the rightful
owners. The letter urged the state government to take immediate action, warning
that further silence could escalate tensions.
Addressing
the protesters, Prof. Chukwulobelu acknowledged the gravity of the situation
and assured them that their grievances would not be ignored. ‘We understand the
importance of land to our people, especially women who depend on it for their
daily survival. I will personally ensure that this matter is reviewed,’ he
said.
He
further revealed that the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy
Matters, Hon. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, would collaborate with the Commissioner
for Lands to conduct an in-depth investigation into the matter. ‘This
government believes in fairness and justice. We will not allow any individual,
no matter how highly placed, to destabilize a community,’ Nwabunwanne assured
the protesters.
For
the women of Nimo, however, the battle is far from over. ‘This is about our
identity, our survival, and our children’s future,’ Mrs. Odili emphasized. ‘We
will not stop until justice is served.’"
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