Barely two weeks from the date Hon. Onyeaju Princewill was inaugurated as the Sole Administrator of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, his administration has been mered with protests over alleged bad leadership from the newly appointed SOLAD.
Just Monday the 24th of June, various communities in Ohaji/Egbema were thrown into panics resulting to harassment and shooting sporadically from hidden valley immediately the SOLAD made a radio announcement that directed the changing various communities Town Union leadership to accommodate his choice.
The SOLAD announced Caretaker committee leadership in eight communities of Ohaji/Egbema and leaving other fourteen autonomous communities untouched. The change of Community Town Union leadership was targeted at the oil producing communities even as it was said that Awarra Autonomous Community which was affected in the SOLAD announcement conducted her Town Union election on the 27th of March and inauguration took place on the 31st of March, 2024 under the supervision of the community traditional ruler, while Obile community, also a victim of the announcement, inaugurated her Town Union leadership on the 9th of April, all in 2024.
It was disclosed that Ochia And Assa autonomous communities, respectively, had officially communicated to the Local Government for its forthcoming Town Union elections and only to be ambushed by the SOLAD with radio announcement of Town Union Caretaker Committee.
Meanwhile, boiling communities of Ohaji/Egbema matched to Imo State Government House on Tuesday in demonstration of their dissatisfaction with what they described as bad leadership styles from the newly appointed SOLAD whom they accused on unleashing measures to fuel crisis in communities in Ohaji district in particular.
They protesters that were received by the Chief of Staff to Imo State Government, Barr. Nnandi Anyiehe said their protest was to expose the ugly happenings in Ohaji/Egbema LGA caused by the SOLAD as such acts of their SOLAD are capable of throwing their communities back to restiveness.
They unequivocally told Imo State Government how ready they are to resist the alleged intimidation from the Ohaji/Egbema SOLAD.
According to the joint protest letter from Awarra, Ochia, Assa and Obile autonomous communities, signed by Mr. Lucky Onyiri who is the President General of Awarra autonomous Community, Mr. Obido Ndubuisi who is the President General of Obile community, Ifurueze Victor from Assa, Obinna Opara of Ochia and other leaders from the communities and submitted to the State Government with title “unlawful announcement of caretaker committee in our
communities”, the letter read “WE are here to protest the unwarranted radio announcement made on the 24th June, 2024 by the Sole Administrator of Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Hon. Onyeaju Prncewill in respect of the aforementioned subject matter.”
“We wish to unequivocally state that ascension to the office of the President Generals of our communities is by election and at no time was Mr. Saturday Ezekwe whom he announced for Awarra and Mr. Uche Ogbonna Festus whom he announced for Obile Elected as the President Generals of the Town Union, respectively.”
“Awarra Autonomous Community conducted its Town Union election on the 27th of March,2024 and inaugurated on the 31st of March,2024. Obile Town Union was elected and inaugurated on 9th of April and Ochia and Assa autonomous communities have inaugurated its electoral committees and communicated to the SOLAD. Prior to the election of Obile and Awarra, respectively, the Imo State Ministry of Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government headquarters Mmahu and Umuagwo-Ohaji police division were duly notified and observers sent to monitor the elections and its processes.”
“The election of Awarra Autonomous community produced Mr. Lucky Onyiri as President General and other Executive members. While Obile Town Union election produced Mr. Obido Ndubuisi Paschal as President General of Obile and other executive members. The executive members, respectively, were inaugurated and presented to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, respectively, and have since been carrying out their duties long before the appointment of the Sole Administrator. The tenure of Awarra Autonomous Community Town Union is three years and this current administration of Town Union has not expired.
The tenure of Obile Town Union lasts for four years and still serving. While Ochia and Assa communities are seriously planning for their Town Union elections.”
“We are urging His Excellency to remove Ohaji/Egbema SOLAD for the interest of our dear State.
Ohaji/Egbema SOLAD is bent on causing problems in Ohaji/Egbema communities”.
Addressing the protesters, Barr. Nnandi Anyiehe commended them for their peaceful demonstration, charged them to remain law abiding citizens with assurance that the government will address their worries.
Meanwhile, the Executive governor of Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma has swiftly intervened by directing the SOLAD to suspend the inauguration of his announced selected Community Town Union Caretaker committees scheduled to hold today,27th June at Mmahu Ohaji/Egbema Local Government headquarters, until further notice, this is to arrest tensions that has ravaged the affected communities since 24th of June.