Some stakeholders of Akama Oghe community in Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State have strongly rejected the call by the state government to conduct fresh election for the Igweship seat of the community, terming it unjustified.
The state commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and rural development, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, had during the meeting of stakeholders of the community to resolve the lingering chieftaincy tussle in the community, announced the cancellation of the elections or selections of the two contenders for the throne.
The commissioner also requested that all matters relating to the Igweship tussle be withdrawn from the various courts to enable the the town union organize an election that would be monitored by the government.
But, reacting to the request by the commissioner at the meeting, the people of the community, especially, the faction loyal to one of the contestants, Ozo Christian Akpata, rejected the request, appealing to the commissioner to allow the court to determine the matter.
They stated that the selection of Ozo Christian Akpata was in line with the laid down process, which the elements in the community’s town union wanted to circumvent. One of the leaders at the meeting, Ozor Leonard Obiamadi, they would never accept any election, because the case was already in court, adding that it would be fair enough to allow the courts to determine the matter. According to him, those who wanted to manipulate the Igweship selection process would still do same if fresh election is called.
“We want to thank the state commissioner for chieftaincy affairs for allowing us to come here to air our views. We equally appreciate his concern about the vacant throne of Akama Oghe community. But, we want to urge him to allow us see out the matter that we have in the courts and let the courts decide.
“A lot of allegations were made in order to deny Ozo Christian Akpata the Igweship throne which he was duly elected, with the same elements subverting the process just to ensure that the person chosen by the people did not emerge. We believe that this injustice can only be stopped by the courts where we have presented our evidences and witnesses”, he said.
The Igweship stool of Akama Oghe community is being contended by Ozo Christian Akpata and Onyeka Ofodile, both of who have been laying claims as the authentic Igwe-elect for the throne.
The matter also generated several litigations in court, thereby stalling any possibility of crowning any particular individual as the Igwe Dimeze iv of Akama Oghe.
