Police in Anambra State yesterday foiled protest by Amichi community, Nnewi South Local Government Area for the rmoval of their traditional ruler.
Over 4,000 members of the community from 24 villages converged outside Ebenato-Okpala Town Hall as early as 8:30am with many 608 Mersedez Benz buses for onward march to Awka, to call on Governor Willie Obiano to withdraw certificate of recognition from Igwe Alphonsus Oforbuike Ezeoke.
The protesters stood in the sun for over four hours waiting for the leadership of Amichi Development Union (ADU) who went to Nnewi Area Command in vain to obtain police permit for the protest. Police had insisted on due process for the permit, which foiled the march to Government House, Awka.
In a letter addressed to Governor Obiano and signed by the President General of A.D.U,with respect to the protest, the community claimed that ever since Ezeoke was recognised as Igwe of Amichi, there had been disquiet in the town.
“We want to emphasise further that Amichi has no Igwe, but rather Obi Amichi. We don’t have any constitution that recognises Igweship in our tradition and Igweship remains strange and alien to Amichi traditional institution. Since the infiltration and creeping in of Igweship idea and ambition, Amichi has not known peace, except graveyard peace,” the letter read in part.
It said that the community recognised Obiship as its traditional institution, adding that Amichi had four sons known as Okpala, Eze- Udene, Afube and Ebenasa and that each of the sons gave birth to a quarter “and each quarter has its own Obiship linage while Okpala is the head of all Obis and head of Amichi traditional institution.”
The protesters futher claimed that only four out of 28 villages that make up the four quarters of Amichi were championing the Igweship project.
They said they recognised Obi Amichi (His Royal Highness), Leonard Orjiakor as the Regent of Amichi and also adopted rotational presidents of A.D.U, among the four quarters.
They pleaded with Governor Obiano to listen to Amichi people and, as a matter of urgency, withdraw the certificate of recognition given to Igwe Ezeoke, to, “for peace to reign and corresponding progress to take place in Amichi community.
said he had been working hard to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order and appealed to Governor Obiano to intervene. (The Sun)
