MWO, Meletus Abonyi
The Umu-Ekwenu Autonomous Community in Obollo, Udenu local government area of Enugu State says it is making moves to resolve the lingering Igweship title which has lasted for over 17 years.
In a message by a Spokesperson for Umu-Ekwenu Patriots, Hon. Hillary Onah, there was the need for a lasting peace in the community, adding that a meeting of all Umu-Ekwenu Patriots has been scheduled for December 29th to resolve all issues pertaining to the Igweship.
“We have both individually and collectively agreed that Igwe Umu-Ekwenu Autonomous community tussle haven lasted up to 17 years, that there is an urgent need for us to come together and look for a possible solution, ” Onah said.
He said that earlier meetings have been held of which some resolutions were reached and adopted as the way forward for peace to reign in the community.
According to him, part of the resolutions includes: “That there is an urgent need to bring in a neutral person who will start the healing process and everybody will rally around him as a sole candidate.
“That all the individuals who have been contesting the Igweship for the past 17 years will be advised to step down their ambition in the interest of peace and reconciliation.
“That the individual, who will be selected as our consensus candidate will have both paternal or maternal relationship from both Ugbabe and Ohulo.”
He said, however, that at the point of meeting with Oha Ohulo, one Chief Chinwe Eze, who is contesting from Ugbabe got the information and hurriedly rushed to the State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu, to illegally secure a Certificate of Observation as the Igwe of the community.
Onah said after the purported issuance of “certificate of observation and return to him”, the community held another meeting and some resolutions were reached in agreement with both Oha Ohulo, Oha OGWU, Oha Ulona Obollo and Umurama, which made up the community, as follows:
“That there shall be a peaceful protest to the Udenu LG Chairman, declaring the purported certificate of observation and return to Chinwe Eze as non and void and of no effect to UMUEKWENU AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY.
“A letter was drafted and sent to His Excellency, The Governor of Enugu State, SSG, Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs.
“That an urgent meeting with the Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs be scheduled whereby we discussed and agreed that the purported certificate of observation and return to Chinwe Eze is non, void and of no effect to UMUEKWENU AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY.
“That we picked Retired Master Warrant Officer (MWO), Meletus Abonyi, whom his father is from Ugbabe and his mother is from Ohulo, as our consensus candidate for the Igweship.”
Onah said that the meeting scheduled for December 29th, would discuss the modality to intervene on the Court mater and possible way of settling out of court for Umu-Ekwenu Autonomous community to have their Igwe and enjoy a lasting peace and harmony.
