Anambra communities seek Soludo’s aid to settle land crisis

Some towns in Anambra State have begged for the help of the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, to decide land disputes.

Indigenes of Achalla, a community in Awka North Local Government Area, besieged the Anambra Government House in Awka on Wednesday with placards to protest the recent award of contentious land to their neighbours in Urum community.

The leader of the protesting group, Mr Calistus Nnakwue, who is also the Secretary General of Achalla Improvement Union, while addressing journalists at the entrance of Government House, alleged that a peace committee set up by the chairman of Awka North Local Government Area failed to invite members of Achalla community, before eventually awarding the disputed land to Urum.

“We are here to call the attention of the governor to the awarding of the land to the Urum community, even without hearing from our representatives. The land in question belongs to us, and we are calling on Prof Chukwuma Soludo to set up a new committee to preside over the matter and give an unbiased verdict,” he stated.

Meanwhile, leaders of Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area have scheduled a meeting of all indigenes over a contentious piece of land that has been converted into an estate by the leadership of the community.

A press statement by Nimo Town Development Union (NTDU), signed by its President General, Chief Ekenenna Okafor-Omabu, and Secretary-General, Ogbuefi Patrick Egbakpalu, stated that the community is ready to end the controversy surrounding the land in a meeting of the community, which would hold at Egwegwe Square this weekend.

The statement, made available to journalists in Awka, reads: “This town hall meeting on Saturday, May 27, is in order to not only set the records straight but to enlighten all Nimo citizens on the developments in the part of Owa land, now called Obodo Oma Estate.

“There will be a very detailed presentation by those who have facts about all aspects of Obodo Oma Estate, and there will be questions and answers during the interactive session.

“The feedback and suggestions made at the town hall meeting will be presented at the General Assembly Meeting later in the year. We urge all Nimo citizens to endeavour to attend.”