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His Royal Highness Igwe Ezekwesili Madugbuna, the traditional leader of Oba-Ofemili Community in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State, advises his subjects to remain focused on Governor Charles Soludo’s vision of establishing Anambra as a thriving and livable state within Nigeria.
In light of accusations from community elders claiming high-handedness, the monarch responded by delivering a firm warning.
At a press conference held in Awka on Tuesday, elders alleged that the Traditional ruler utilized the State Vigilante Operatives and resident Fulani herders to subject them to harassment. The contention centers around a parcel of land asserted by the people of Ibite-Olo, a neighboring community in Iziagwu local government area of Enugu State.
Clarifying the situation, Chief Reuben Iloka, representing the elders, stated that the contested land was granted to the Ibite-Olo community through a court judgment in 1945.
He alleged a disruption of peace in the community, stating that since the Monarch received a certificate of recognition from the Anambra State Government under Chief Willie Obiano’s administration in 2016, the timeframe from 2020 to December 2023 has seen 27 houses burned, 3,000 bags of rice destroyed, along with 15 goats, generator sets, TV sets, and other valuables of those opposing his leadership style in the town.
“We are peace-loving people. We can not afford to risk our people into war in this modern era, governor Soludo should come to our rescue, Chief Iloka pleaded.
Reacting further via telephone interview with our Correspondent, Igwe Madugbuna, called on the public to disregard the allegation, noting that it is a plan to dethrone him and that nothing of such has happened in the area.
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He said the disturbances will not distract Governor Soludo’s development agenda for the good people of Oba-Ofemili community.
He pointed out that Governor Soludo played a crucial role in uncovering Oba-Ofemili community after a prolonged period of neglect.
Oba-Ofemili people, he mentioned, would forever appreciate Governor Soludo for building the only road that links Oba-Ofemili to neighboring communities in Awka-North Local Government Area.
Looking back, he remembered that accessing Oba-Ofemili from Amansea used to require about 3 hours before the construction of the mentioned road. However, with the road in place, the travel time has been dramatically reduced to just 25 minutes.
He highlighted that despite the changing administrations, none prioritized extending democracy dividends to Oba-Ofemili community, except for Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. He took a bold and courageous step to discover and connect Oba-Ofemili to the rest of the capital territory through the construction of the Oba-Ofemili-Amansea road in his community.
