Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru (file image)
By Nweze Anaga,
Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State government has waded into the lingering Ezehip (monarchical) election crisis in Oshiri community to ensure that the people’s choice werars the crown.
The state government said that its objective was to reconcile
all the aggrieved members and bring a lasting peace and unity among the community members.
The Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Chukwuma Ilang, disclosed this, while addressing stakeholders – Ozos, contestants to the throne, leadership of the community, Electoral Committee members and concerned citizens of the community in his office at Abakaliki, the stte capital.
Ilang pointed out that there would be no development in a an atmosphere of rancour, litigations and crisis and therefore urged the aggrieved parties to withdraw all the pending suits in court to pave the way for peaceful resolution of the Ezehip tussle.
He explained that his office intervened in the Ezeshio tussle following a report of alleged malpractices during the Ezeship election process.
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The commissioner urged the member-representing Onicha East constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon Ifeanyi Ogba, to convene an enlarged meeting of stakeholders and members of the community that would entail forgiveness, justice and reconcillations and report to his office within two weeks .
In their separate submissions, the member representing Onicha East state constituency, Hon Ifeanyi Ogba, some stakeholders, Paul Ngwee, Pascal Okoro and some contestants to the throne, Chief Harrison Njoku, Chief Benedict Njoku and Chief Obasi Nweze among others, alleged that the election held in March was inconcluive.
On their part, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Chief Chika Eze, a stakeholder, Raymond Nkwegu, and the declared winner of the election, Chief Samuel Opuh, said that the Ezeship election of Oshiri community was free and fair, and that the immediate past local government Chairman, Hon Chidebere Uzoh, supervised the excercise .
In their vote of thanks, the town union president, Hon Okike Sunday, and a stakeholder, Chief John Igboke, expressed gratitude to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for setting up the process of reconcillation.
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