Idinaotu Kamma Peace Initiative have appealed to Anambra State Government not to issue certificate of recognition to anybody as the traditional ruler of Umuchukwu as it will worsen crisis rocking the Nkerehi/Umuchukwu area.
The group made the appeal when they staged a peaceful protest at the Government House, Awka, over moves by some individuals to secure certificate of recognition for a certain man as the traditional ruler of Umuchukwu.
The protracted Nkerehi/Umuchukwu communal crisis in Orumba South Local Government Area started after Nkerehi was changed to Umuchukwu through a referendum conducted by the past administration in 2008 and was gazetted.
But since then, the community had known no peace as a section of the area vehemently opposed the change and insisted that the old name be retained.
According to the spokesman of Nkerehi/Umuchukwu Idinaotu Kamma Peace Initiative, Mr Arinze Ibeh, a group comprising Nkerehi and Umuchukwu factions, stormed the Government House to appeal to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to suspend action on issuance of certificate of recognition to anybody as the traditional ruler of Umuchukwu as it will heighten the crisis in the community and pleaded to be given a chance to broker peace between the factions.
He regretted that all efforts made in the past by eminent indigenes of the town to end the crisis did not produce the desired result, but expressed their determination to restore lasting peace in the area.
The group maintained that the state government can conduct election to select the traditional ruler of the area when normalcy, peace and order have been restored there.
The group displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Any attempt to get Igweship certificate will affect the peace process between Nkerehi and Umuchukwu”, “We the youths of Nkerehi/Umuchukwu need peace not Igwe for now”, among others.
Receiving the group, the Chief Security Officer, Anambra State Government House, Mr. Kingsley Nkuma, commended them for being at the vanguard for restoration of lasting peace in the community as Governor Chukwuma Soludo wants every community in the state to be peaceful to enable him realise his vision for Anambra State.
He however, advised them to document their requests so that the state government will look into them.
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