Women of Umuaka Asa Autonomous Community in Ukwa west local government area of Abia State have demanded the dethronement of their traditional ruler, HRH Eze Nwaokeoru Nwogu.
HRH Eze Nwaokeoru Nwogu.
The women expressed their grievances and fears during a peaceful protest held in their community on Friday.
The protesting women said that HRH Eze Nwogu was imposed on them by the previous administration of the state.
They pleaded with the executive governor of Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti to come to their rescue as they also alleged the radical leadership style, intimidation and mismanagement of their resources by HRH Eze Nwogu is becoming a threat to their lives.
The women also demanded the enthronement of Chiemena Nwachukwu, who was said to be the winner of the peaceful election conducted on May 9, 2023.
Umuaka Asa autonomous community is made up of six villages. Umuebo, Umukwuru, Umuabali, Umuachakwu, Umuodeke and Umuada villages.
The women also demanded proper management of their palm fruits plantation, as well as an end to all forms of intimidation and threats from HRH Eze Nwogu.
The women further expressed dissatisfaction saying that after conducting a transparent election in the community which HRH Eze Nwogu refused to participate, but later given the staff of office by the state government.
According to Mrs Edit Nneoma Rex, the Chairlady of Umuaka autonomous community, the election held May, 9, 2023 was peaceful, transparent and overwhelmingly won by Chiemena Nwachukwu but denied the staff of office and handed over to HRH Eze Nwogu “who was never a candidate in the election”.
“The person given the staff of office did not partake in the election, when the Eleco committee called him to participate, he said he’s not a primary school student to participate in such exercise. But unfortunately, how he went and stole the staff of the office is what we don’t know.” Mrs Nneoma said.
On the mismanagement of the economic resources of the community, it was said that HRH Nwogu allegedly converted the palm fruit plantation to personal investment which the women said is originally meant for the development of their community. The women also alleged that they had been harassed and intimidated by the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Obehie division of the Nigeria police force, allegedly invited and sponsored by HRH Eze Nwogu.
‘’The only revenue we have is that palm fruit selling, it was meant to be sold and used for the development of the community, but now he is selling it to enrich his own family, painting his house, opening borehole and servicing his vehicle. But our women and husbands are suffering. We are saying no to impunity, we are saying no more selling of our palm fruits for personal use.’’ Mrs Nneoma said.
The women also complained about the neglect of their community hall which has been abandoned for completion as well as market shades and school buildings which they said that the proceeds from the palm fruit sale would have served such developmental purposes for the community.
Mrs Nneoma also narrated how the policemen broke into their homes and invaded her privacy in an attempt to arrest her husband and others agitating for bad leadership in the community.
‘’They broke into my home, saw me naked, flashed me a touch, asking me of my husband. Since two weeks till now, I have not slept with my husband and same with other women in the community. If this should continue, we will have no peace in the community. We are begging Governor Alex Otti to come to our aide.’’ Mrs Nneoma said.
The women also revealed that they have taken their grievances to the Abia state local government and Chieftiancy Affairs but never got a positive response. They also vow to take their protest to the government house, Umuahia if no response from the government.
After the protest, CANDID REPORTERS also gathered that the accused traditional ruler allegedly mobilised policemen to the community who shot sporadically live bullets and teargas and arrested a male indigien which ignited a fresh protest from the women to the police station and they were reportedly detained and later got bailed with the sum of 100,000 naira paid for the release of 20 women and one man.
Efforts to reach the accused traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Nwaokeoru Nwogu proved abortive as at the time of filing this report as his phone number responded switched off.
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