on the security agencies to probe Governor David Umahi and the chairman
of the Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Clement Odah, over an alleged
communal clash between the Effium and Effium indigenes of Ezza
extraction, leading to the death of over 40 people.
President of the association, Paschal Oluchkwu, in a statement on Monday
in Abuja, condemned the mayhem, alleged that it was politically
motivated.
According to him, the facts on the ground actually prove that the
attempt to unlawfully annex some federal electoral wards which
originally belong to Ezza-Effium people of Ezza extraction to Wards of
Effium indigenes of Korri extraction in the ongoing Enumeration Area
Demarcation exercise by the National Population Commission (NPC)
“Further probe into the said action showed that the NPC officials were
ostensibly misguided by agents of Ohaukwu Council Chairman, Barr.
Clement Odah, and other stakeholders of Effium indigenes of Korri
extraction.
“Documented evidence made available to AESID showed that the
peculiarities of Effium community where Effium people of Ezza Ezekuna
extraction or Ezza-Effium people constituted about 80% of the entire
population of the community warranted the demarcation of the five
electoral wards in the community with family/kindred labels or names
instead of the normal physical or geographical boundaries by the
Government of old Anambra State through her Edict No. 4 of 1990,” the
AESID added.
The group also said that it aware of the complaints raised by Ezza
stakeholders in its petition to the NPC against the actions of its EAD
officials who were unfortunately misguided by the Local Government boss,
Barr. Odah, his agents and co-conspirators.
According to the group, Ezza stakeholders cautioned that the acts of
unlawfully annexing parts of the wards of Effium indigenes of
Ezza-Ezekuna extraction including the homes of some notable politicians,
renowned academics and other prominent cum other natives of Ezza-Effium
people’s homes to Effium people of Korri extraction was an open
invitation to chaos.
“Yet, to the best of our knowledge, the said Odah and his agents
including the government hadn’t acted fast to correct these
unconscionable and inflammable annexations.
“Even the solemn prayers by the said Ezza stakeholders for a prompt and
proper reversal of all parts of the wards of Effium indigenes of
Ezza-Ezekuna extraction otherwise known as Ezza-Effium people unlawfully
annexed to Effium indigenous people’s wards were paid deaf ears to by
the powers that be.
“We condemn this politically-motivated action meant not only to stir
needless dusts but also to decimate the strengths of the most populous
and peace-loving Ezza clan who has lived in peace with all its
neighbours in the State be there in Ishiagu, Ukawu and Abaomege in
Ebonyi South; Ezzaegu, Ogboji or Ezzillo communities in Ishielu LGA in
the Central or in Effium in the north not until the last and present
political dispensations.
“Whereas, we commend the new and ebullient State’s Commissioner of
Police, Aliyu Garba for the prompt action of arresting all those who are
suspected to have had a hand in the Effium carnage.
“We wish to request that the police should get to the root of this
crisis by thoroughly investigating the Council Chairman, Barr. Odah and
his co-travellers in lieu of the current facts that are already in
public domain particularly to the effect that his people (Effium
indigenes of korri extraction) had even planned and secured weapons for
the attacks with his knowledge and consent.
“Such act is worrisomely unbecoming of a public office holder who holds
the sway as the Chief Security Officer of the Local Government Area. To
this extent therefore, we also heap the blames on the door-steps of
Governor Umahi who has continued to encourage and support the said Barr.
Odah to slap, maim, attack and humiliate stakeholders and anyone who
does not agree with his views.
“None of the sad incidences of mayhems reported against the said Clement
Odah and his marauding band of cult-boys have ever been investigated and
sanctioned by the State government since his appointment as a Council
boss in 2015 and subsequently his election and re-election into the same
office.
“Rather, the Umahi government does any and everything possible to always
shield him from the arms of the law at each point in time.
“Also, the claims in certain quarters that the refusal of many Effium
indigenes of Ezza-Ezekuna extraction to follow the said Barr. Odah and
his principal, Engr. Umahi to their new new APC voyage may have also
contributed to the devious plot to forcefully coerce people in
opposition to politically belong to the fold by virtue of the misguided
delineation should not be swept under the carpet.
“The security agencies should investigate this as a matter of urgency
and bring all those responsible for this mayhem to book. Of course, this
platform is aware of Umahi’s use of majority of the Local Government
Chairmen in the State to stir crisis among stakeholders and community
leaders with some of them acting almost above the laws of the land.
“We know he gives them backings to perpetrate mayhems and cause unrests
in their communities and LGAs so they could be emboldened to attack his
political foes or opponents particularly in periods of elections and
electioneering campaigns.
“This particular incident, we suspect, is obviously part of Umahi’s 2023
political game-plan!
“Unlike in the pasts, we wish to state that the reported arrest of some
of the stakeholders should not be the usual smokescreen that would often
yield no result or bring any permanent solution.”