Ebonyi Community Rejects Imposition Of Francis Okoro As Traditional Ruler
By Alex Odeh | Pan Afric Reporters
The People of the Ohaisu Autonomous Community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have staged a peaceful protest at Government House, Centenary City Abakaliki over the alleged imposition of Dr Francis Okoro as the traditional ruler of the Community.
The protesters consist of elderly men and community leaders, who were against the process of Dr. Francis Okoro’s installation.
The protesters who came to the Government House in large numbers carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ebonyi State Governor was deceived”, “Allow Ohaisu to choose their Ezeogo”
“Dr Francis Okoro was not elected and he cannot be Isuoha of the Ohaisu Autonomous Community.”
The leader of the protesters, Chief Godwin Isu explained that the process which culminated in the recognition of Dr Okoro as traditional ruler did not conform with the Traditional rulers and Autonomous Communities law cap 146 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
Chief Isu emphasized that the matter concerning the selection of the Ezeogo was still before the court and called for his outright removal in the interest of peace.
One of the Community leaders, Ichie Dennis Egwu condemned what he described as government interference in the kingship tussle of the community and stressed the need for respect for the community’s traditional right.
Ichie Egwu appealed to Ebonyi state government to allow the people of Ohaisu to choose their traditional ruler without external interference.
Addressing the protesters, the Chief of Staff Government House Abakaliki, Professor Emmanuel Echiegu commended the people for their peaceful disposition and assured them that the government would revisit the matter and address it in the interest of all the parties.
Chief Echiegu appealed to them to remain peaceful and avoid taking the laws into their hands.
