A lecturer in the Department of Humanities at Imo State University, Profalis Chukwudi Nwulu, has completely dismissed the purported protest organised by some indigenes of the Ochia Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State against the whereabouts of their traditional ruler, describing it as unreasonable.
Addressing newsmen in his office on Friday in reaction to the said protest by the Concerned Citizens of Ochia Community, Nwulu observed the right of individuals to ask or know the whereabouts of their traditional ruler, but not through protest, as demonstrated by the group.
The stakeholder of the Ochia autonomous community explained that the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Ekwueme P. Ekwueme, had travelled out of the country for health reasons. According to him, the Monarch had, before leaving for abroad, notified the Council of Chiefs, which is comprised of representatives of each village, and the Traditional Prime Minister of the Community, Chief B. Nwulu.
A former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Imo State University, Nwulu, said that since the monarch travelled, the Council of Chiefs and the TPM have been meeting regularly and making decisions concerning the community. He suggested that if there are issues concerning the community that they want to address, the best approach would be to consult their representatives in the Council of Chiefs for possible answers.
He described the decision to protest against the community regarding the whereabouts of the traditional ruler as using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.
Regarding the allegation of embezzlement of funds amounting to N220 million from the oil company meant for the development of the community, the leader of the community challenged the oil company to clarify if any funds meant for the community’s development were given to anybody for embezzlement.
He blamed the same group of protesters, especially from Umuokuzu village, who claimed the right to produce the traditional ruler of Ochia Community, for frustrating the development of the community.
Meanwhile, the people had earlier taken their protest to the Imo State House of Assembly, demanding the whereabouts of their traditional ruler, HRH Eze Ekwueme P. Ekwueme, whom they accused of abandoning his stool for two years and six months.
The protesters, led by Mazi Aloysius Ogboka, informed the leadership of the Imo State House that the traditional ruler absconded from his stool and travelled to America without clear reasons.
They alleged that the Eze handed over to the Traditional Prime Minister while at the same time giving directives and orders to the oil company operating in their community and taking all the royalties without bringing any development to the Ochia Community.
The leader of the protest claimed that the Eze has remained incommunicado yet is often seen on social media dancing and partying.
Receiving the protesters at the Imo State House of Assembly, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Amara China Iwuanyanwu, who represented the Speaker, Hon. Chike Olemgbe, appealed to the protesters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding. He assured them that their complaints would be looked into and directed them to formally submit their petitions to the House of Assembly Committee on LGA and Chieftaincy Affairs for appropriate action.
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