From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Tension is brewing in Abagana community, Njikoka LGA , Anambra state following attempts to install another Ichie Dunu Chieftaincy stool in the community in place of an existing one that is still alive and kicking by some influential members of the community .
Chief Godfrey Nzeakor who is currently the occupant of chieftaincy stool of Ichie Dunu the 11 of Abagana yesterday raised alarm that some highly placed people in the community have ignored warning from State government to perpetuate chieftaincy impunity by fixing Saturday May 25, 2024 to coronate another person into the Chieftaincy Stool as Dunu the 111 of Abagana while he is still alive and did not commit any offence.
Chief Nzeakor surrounded by residents and some stakeholders of the community told journalists that some highly placed persons have perfected plans to use their influence to sack him as Ist Ichie Dunu the 11 of Abagana and coronate another else to take over his position even after the State government intervened and warned them against doing so.
He stated that when he got the information about the plot to remove him, he quickly wrote a letter to the Governor of Anambra State , Chukwuma Soludo with fact that he is still alive and did not commit any crime and governor in a quick response wrote a letter dated 15th May 2024 to the people involved through the Commissioner for, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community affairs, Tony- Collins Nwabunwanne warning those involved to desist from any act of impunity capable of breeding tension and crisis in the community.
The letter from the State government which was titled “Re: Stop The Impunity Going On in Abagana” addressed to the leadership and people of Abagana. Attn HRM Igwe Patrick M. Okeke and copied to the Transition Committee Chairman Njikoka Local Government Area, the President General Abagana Welfare Union and Chief GC Nzeakor reads: “the State Government is in receipt of complaint that some individuals in Abagana community are unlawfully planning the coronation of Chief Austin Nwa Samuel Mmaju as the Dunu Abagana the 111 on 25th May 2024 while Godfrey Nzeakor who is the 1st Ichie Dunu Abagana the 11 since 2021 is still alive.
“This is totally unacceptable as the act is capable of breeding tension and crisis in the community In the light of the above; any individual involved in this unlawful act is hereby warned to desist from such act to avoid serious sanction by the State Government. Please be guided and do accept the assurances of my best regards”.
Chief Nzeakor lamented that upon the warning from the state government , those involved are still holding clandestine meetings in preparation for the illegal coronation.
He called on Governor Soludo and State Commissioner of Police to quickly wade into the matter and stop the impunity in Abagana which is capable of leading to a breach of peace in the community.