Fear has gripped the people of Nkomoro Community in Ezza North local government area of Ebonyi State over the alleged imposition of Barr. Jacob Nwakpa as the traditional ruler of the community.
Leaders and elders of the community yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the Ebonyi State Government House, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
When contacted, Nwakpa said the community through the laid down procedures elected him as the next traditional ruler of Nkomoro community and described the protest as the handiwork of his detractors.
The protesters numbering over 100 marched from the ever-busy Ogoja-Onwe Road chanting anti-Jacob Nwakpa songs and were accompanied by men of the Ebonyi State Police Command and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The protesters during the march submitted a petition written and signed by over 100 elders and leaders of the community to Governor Francis Nwifuru and the commissioner of police, CP Augustina Ogbodo.
The traditional prime minister of the community, Chief Linus Eze, while addressing the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Mr Uchenna Igwe, alleged that if not addressed urgently, the imposition will lead to a possible breakdown of law and order and a bloodbath in the community.
“There is tension and palpable fear in the community as the people are going to resist any attempt by Barr. Jacob Nwakpa to impose himself on the people. No one man can make himself a traditional ruler against the collective interest of the people.
“We decided to stage this protest to register our displeasure over the imposition of Nwakpa on the people of the Nkomoro community.
We are here to inform the State Government of possible unrest in the community should he be crowned
this weekend.”
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Jacob Nwakpa is not our traditional ruler”,
“Nkomoro is a peaceful community, Help us to maintain the peace”, and “We will resist any form of imposition on us.”
In his reaction, the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Mr Uchenna Igwe stated that the state government would not tolerate any form of imposition on the people.
He noted that the governor since assumption of office has ensured that each community elects their chosen traditional ruler and urged the people to remain calm.
He said he will abide by the decision of the state government in resolving the issues adding that he will support any move by the state to ensure that a traditional ruler of Nkomoro Community is peacefully and unanimously crowned.
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