The people of Ezi Nze community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State have denied the media report alleging that herdsmen invaded their community.
They asked the public to disregard the rumoured anxiety in the area over such unfounded activities of the cattle rearers.
President General of the community, Sir Kelvin Ochinanwata, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, said the report was completely untrue and act of mischief.
He said it was unfortunate that some persons recycled and repackaged incidents of misunderstanding between the herdsmen and farmers in the community that occurred nearly one year ago, which were amicably resolved through the intervention of the state government’s peace committee.
Sir Ochinawata said: “As far as I am concerned, there is no tension anywhere in our community. Even the issue of paying for cows allegedly killed by some of our boys happened last year. It is no longer an issue as far as I am concerned, because we resolved it amicably, so, it’s stale news.
“They also talked about anxiety over Igweship. That is fallacy because when we were inaugurated in May, there was jubilation. It has never happened in the history of Ezi Nze that after inauguration of town union, there was party everywhere.
“Since then, we have no problem in the community. We unveiled four agenda and everybody was happy.
“We have not even started talking about the issue of Igwe. So, I don’t understand how somebody will begin to talk about anxiety. There is no tussle in the first place.
“I don’t see anything causing anxiety in our community, you can go there, ask anybody.
“Two months ago, the commissioner for chieftaincy called me, I didn’t want to go alone. I decided to go with my executive members. When we went there, he asked me what is happening about Igweship, I explained to him that we have not even started talking about Igwe, he was surprised.
“He told us that one Ike Odume wrote petition to his office over the Igweship, that they have done election, that they want town union to come and be observer.
“You can see the whole thing is funny. In fact, it was in that meeting that we collected the modality for choosing an Igwe and we intend to table it before the General Assembly in our next meeting.
“I am saying it categorically and I can swear to any length. There is no anxiety or invasion of any kind in our community, either from the Fulani community or issue of chieftaincy, because it is non-existent.”
On what could be the motive behind the report, he said, “somebody just want to make noise out of nothing. I don’t blame anybody if you want something, but follow it the normal way. I think the people doing this want Igweship. The commissioner clearly told us that Ike Odume petitioned and was saying that they have conducted election. I don’t know where they conducted the election.
“He is saying that their own community and Agbala community are the people. Ezi Nze is made up of four villages. He even mentioned it in his petition. So, if you are selecting Igwe, it is Ezi Nze as a whole not one village.”
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the community said it was wrong for people to be making unguarded statements on behalf of the community.
“Our community is completely peaceful, there is no form of anxiety or tension. People should stop creating problem where there is none and if they must, they should stop using the name of our community,” he said.
コメント