The people of Ishi-Ozalla community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the lingering crisis in the area.
They also condemned the purported plan by a few individuals from the community to change the Town Union Leadership of the community for their selfish gains, noting that such a move would compound the crisis already rocking the community for some years now.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Tuesday, the President General of the community, Mr Obinna Nvene said that he was not informed of any election.
He, however, expressed surprise that some persons in the community were boosting that they obtained the permission of the Governor to remove him by Friday this week.
Nvene lamented that the same cabal that masterminded the ostracization of some villages and his purported suspension as PG in 2021 was responsible for the imposition of a traditional ruler in the community.
He said they now want to remove him unconstitutionally to achieve their personal interest.
“I was elected President General, PG, but they vowed not to allow me to serve my tenure, because I refused to sign a document ostracizing members of Edeaniegu villages.
“They woke up one morning and said that I was suspended and brought another person as PG, who now agreed to such inhuman decision. They now used him to impose Chief Sylvanus Okereke as the traditional ruler in the community.
“When the government noticed that they were deceived, Chief Okereke was suspended. Our election is normally on the first week of January, 2nd to be precise, when the majority of the community members will participate.
“What I am saying is that they should allow me to serve my three years tenure; I am in court for justice over this matter, he said,” he said.
The PG maintained that the same group of persons have in the past refused to attend reconciliatory meetings ordered by former governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi where issues causing crisis in the area could be nipped in the bud.
He explained that he was recently invited by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs for a reconciliation meeting which never held and expressed surprise that a date was fixed for election.
The President General urged the Governor to suspend the rumored election in the interest of peace, while urging the people of Ishi-Ozalla to disregard the rumored election and go about their normal business.
Arogidigba Global Journal recalls that some members of the community had recently raised an alarm over alleged intimidation and harassment by supporters of the former All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Chief Frank Nweke jr over their refusal to support his candidacy, against Governor Peter Mbah.