Anambra community youths protest at Government House Awka, alleges President-General, others plotting to dethrone their traditional ruler

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By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

The concerned and aggrieved youth of Nnobi in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has accused the President -General of the town, Mr Dom Okpala,and his cohorts of plotting to dethrone their traditional ruler, Igwe Engr Nick Obi.

The youth who carried protest to Government House Awka, Anambra State Thursday ,called for the removal of the PG for failing to be neutral on issues in the community.

The protesters were carrying placards which some of them read:
“Etuka and PG are working to dethrone the Igwe of Nnobi’, ‘we want PG sacked’, ‘Nnobi PG is high-handed.’ Gburugburu, chairman of Ebenesi village and Dr. Pat Mbanefo, chairman of Ngo village are sit-tight leaders” among others things they wrote in their placards.

Speaking during the protest, the youth’s spokesman. Christian Uzuegbunam, alleged that Chief Ifezue Onyechi, the Okpala of Nnobi, who convened a peace Committee doctored the Committee report with one Col Etuka, the PG and others.

He said instead the PG being neutral he sided with the group that want to sack Igwe, hence refused to present the report to Nnobi people and the Igwe -in-Council.

He rather sent the report directly to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Community Affairs.

The youth leader also called for the removal of the Chairmen of Ebenesi and Ngo villages, Chief Obiora Okongwu and Dr Pat Mbanefo respectively since their tenure has expired.

Also speaking, another spokesperson, Emeka Eze, said the PG, Col. Etuka, Okpala Nnobi, Chief Okongwu and Dr.Mbanefo among others are working to dethrone Igwe Nnobi.

“What are they contesting with an 87 year -old man? The Igwe was enthroned in 2007.The PG, Dom Okpala by working against the Igwe is also working against the Governor”.

Addressing the protesters, Henry Nwasike , an aide to the Commissioner for Local Government said they were having meeting with the stakeholders of Nnobi community as at the time they came to protest to resolve the crisis in the community.

He said their preoccupation was to ensure that they restore peace and tranquility in Nnobi in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of ensuring peace in every community in the state.

Nwasike asked the protesters to articulate their views on the Nnobi saga in writing and submit it to the Ministry so that they can have their own input which would help them arrive at fair judgment.

He said: “This Government will listen to you. It does not side anybody. Soludo’s Government is for peace in the communities”.
He commiserated with them over their market, Afor Nnobi which got burnt on Thursday.