Chinedum Treasure
People of Ifite Nteje community in Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State have protested over what they termed government delay in issuing Certificate of Return to Igwe-elect of the community, Christopher Nnebo.
The protesters, numbering over 3000 stormed Anambra State Government House, Awka to register their grievances to the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo.
The protesters bore placards with varying inscriptions, including, “Justice for Ifite Nteje”, “let the rule of law prevail in Nteje”, “Gov Soludo please come to our rescue”, “it is the turn of Ifite Nteje to produce the next monarch”, “justice delayed is justice denied”, we believe in due process, speak for freedom,” among others.
Spokespersons of the protesters, Obiorah Mgbakogu and Obidi Peter insisted that the Igwe-elect of Nteje, Nnebo was duely elected in a keenly contested election.
“We are surprise that since after his election, he has not been issued with the Certificate of Return by our amiable Governor Chukwuma Soludo and that is why we are here.
“There are three villages in Nteje and the first, Ezi, produced Igwe S.A.C. Nnaemeka (Abogu 1),who joined his ancestors. Ikenga village had Igwe Rowland Odegbo, (Abogu 11), who also joined his ancestors.
“The government records have them as monarchs of Nteje, and now that it is the turn of Ifite village to produce Abogu 111, Christopher Okechukwu Nnebo emerged victorious.
“Out of eight contestants, Nnebo won landslide with 50 per cent votes and the rest shared 50 per cent. So our plea to governor Soludo is to present Certificate of Return to our Igwe-elect.
“We know he will do that to us for we are peaceful and voted for him en masse.
Also speaking, APGA women leader in Oyi Local Government Area and leader of Women Wing in Nteje, Juliana Ibefuna re-echoed that Nnebo was duly elected by his people, adding that peace had been restored in the area since after his election.
“We are happy that today we are at Government House Awka, about 3,000 of us, to plead to our Governor to come to our rescue because it has been long we elected Nnebo and Certificate of Return has not been issued to him.
“Out of the three villages in Nteje, two, that is Ezi and Ikenga have taken their turns except Ifite. Your Excellency, your intervention will save us from enemies of progress who may be frustrating the progress of the entire Nteje community,” she stated.
Responding, Chief of Staff, Been Nwankwo commended the protesters for their peaceful, assuring their demands would be looked into.
Nwankwo, represented by his Deputy, Egbuna Okeke recalled that a group had earlier protested that it was their right to produce the monarch of Nteje.
“All grievances will be channeled to Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for considerations,” he added.
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