Obiano’s aide sues for peace, begs

Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Community Liaison, Owelle Godson Obi has appealed to the two factions in the Igweship tussle in Ogbunka, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state to sheathe their sword and give peace a chance in the community.

Hon. Obi while stressing the need to exercise patience over the matter, however called on Governor Chief Willie Obiano to harken to the voices of Ogbunka people to avoid plunging the community into anarchy.

Dr Forster Ezenwa Ihejiofor was crowned monarch by the Community while Chief Johnmark Anyaoha was alleged to be crowned monarch by a handful.

While it was alleged that Chief Johnmark Anyoha was crowned surreptitiously with the aid of government officials, others said it was done at night by a fraction of people stoking crisis in the community; however, his rivalry, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor was said to be the preferred candidate by the stakeholders of the town and was crowned in the open and he performed all the rites needed by the Ogbunka people.

Owelle Ogbunka as he is fondly called who was the former chairman, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra state said Ogbunka community supported APGA government 100 percent and wondered why the opinion of the people should not be respected.

He said,”I was the former state Assistant treasurer of APGA and Ogbunka as a town has benefited a lot from APGA government in this state.

“This is to show you that Ogbunka is a friend of this government. So, I see no reason why an issue like this, government will like to take decision that is contrary to that of Ogbunka people, knowing full well that they have elders in the village who they can refer to, to ascertain the true position of things before taking any decision that is capable of plunging the community into anarchy.

“We are still pleading to this government to do the right thing and the right thing is to give the certificate of recognition to our Igwe-elect, Dr. Forster Ezenwa Ihejiofor.

” I am speaking on my personal capacity as Owelle Ogbunka and a foremost king maker in this town. Nothing is confusing about the Igweship stool of Ogbunka. I ruled with the late Igwe and we ruled very well.

“We are not learners. We are not afraid. If there is a place where they gather and said that Chief Johnmark will be Igwe of Ogbunka, I, Owelle was not there and I will not part of such discussion.

“So there is no how Johnmark will be an Igwe of Ogbunka without the chiefs and king makers. One person does not make king.

“So, my appeal to our amiable governor is very simple because Ogbunka community is a lover of peace and all the things we do including this Igweship thing. We anchor it on peace because without peace, there will be no progress, so my appeal to people of Ogbunka is to allow government of Anambra state to do the right thing and when all the parties do the right thing, there will be an everlasting peace and what is the right thing, the right thing is to recognize Igwe-elect Dr. Foster Ihejiofor (Igwe Ohazurume )as the choice of the people of Ogbunka.

“If it is too difficult for them to do but they want peace, let government implement what was stated in the letter they gave to Ogbunka people in February, 2020.

“Government placed ban on town union and Igweship elections due to Covid-19. We waited for the ban to be lifted but all of a sudden, we heard that one Johnmark Anyaoha has been selected as Ogbunka traditional ruler and government sent some representatives.

“It was then that we rose up as peace loving community and elected our choice in the person of Igwe Forster Ihejiofor and also presented him to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs.

“We made a peaceful protest to government house and the commissioner for Local Government, Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters, himself came out and told us that they have not given anybody certificate, that it is not their responsibility to elect an Igwe for a community, so it is our primary responsibility to elect an Igwe and we told him that we have elected one and here he is, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor.

” So, I ‘m still appealing to government to help us by respecting our collective choice of Dr. Forster Ihejiofor as our traditional ruler ” , Chief Obi appealed.