People of Isuaniocha community in Awka North Local Government Area have staged another peaceful protest at the Anambra state Government House in Awka demanding for urgent intervention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in crisis in the community, as well as withdrawal of certificate of recognition from Barrister Sylvester Mkporah-Ngini as the Traditional Ruler of the town, saying that he was imposed on them as their traditional ruler.

 

Members of Isuaniocha community turned out in their numbers for the peaceful protest including the youths and the aged.

the people were seen with placards with inscriptions like, “Isuaniocha needs peace not Igwe”, ” Governor Soludo please listen to our cry”, “Isuaniocha do not need youths who sell our land”, ” Isuaniocha has suffered prolonged period of crisis, ” Isuaniocha needs peace not war”.

Speaking on behalf of others , the Caretaker President General of Isuaniocha community, Mr Frederic Egwunwa, said that what informed the repeat of the action was the inability of concerned authorities to do the needful pertaining the demands of the people during the previous peaceful protest, which includes recovering of the sold portions of Isuaniocha Secondary School land, and Eke-Agba market land sold by group of persons, as well as withdrawal of certificate of recognition from Barrister Sylvester Mkporah-Ngini as the traditional ruler of the town.

Mr Egwunwa reemphasized that Igweship in Isuaniocha community from time immemorial is not decided by election but rather through the custom and tradition of the community and by merit, pointing out that even if the Igweship of the town will now be decided through an election that the state government should first enthrone peace in the community to enable everybody in Isuaniocha participate in the election.

 

In various interviews, some members of the community including an elderly man, Chief Frederic Nwokoye, Chief Francis Adike, Mrs Elizabeth Chukwuemeka-Nweke, and Mrs Eunice Okafor emphasized that what Isuaniocha needs now is restoration of total peace in the community, and expressed hope that Governor Soludo will intervene in the community’s issue in order to avert more loss of life and properties to the crisis.

Addressing the people on behalf of the state government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Earnest Ezeajughi assured them that Governor Chukwuma Soludo will look into the matter immediately as he is a peace-loving Governor who is committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence across the state.

 

Contributing, the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye commended the peaceful disposition of the people during the protest, recommending dialogue as the best approach towards addressing the crisis.