….as seven contestants jostle for Igweship
By Amechi Innocent, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State government has called for peaceful conduct of election into traditional rulers’ stool of Izzo Ezza Autonomous community in Ezilo Ishielu Local Government Area of the State.
The Igweship crisis has been rocking the community following the creation of new autonomous community between the two Ezza clans in the community.
But the state government’s swift intervention seemed to have quell the crisis after several hours of meeting with the Principal Secretary to the governor Chief Mathias Adum, commissioners for Internal security, Information, Peace and Conflict Resolution; Chairman of Ishielu Local Government area, lawmaker and stakeholders of the community.
Addressing the community, Chief Adum urged them to maintain peace as election into the traditional stool would be conducted among the seven constants who emerges will be crowned Igwe.
He warned the community leaders to sustain existing peace in the area and abide by the rules to peacefully produce a transparent Igwe in the community.
Adum assured that there would be no imposition of candidate, saying that the winner will be emerged through democratic process of election.
A major contestants, Chief Monday Joseph Ogbule said he is going to make sure that he complement the efforts of the Governor of the State, Mr Francis Nwifuru in ensuring permanent peace in Izzo autonomous community.
Ogbule informed that by the meeting they had at the Office of the Principal Secretary, the autonomous community has resolved to go for elections without imposition of any candidate to the community by whosoever.
“Everything concerning who becomes what in the community has been going on smoothly because things were done and given based on the first settlers of the Izzo community because we Ezzas migrated to that place Ezilo which has metamorphosed to Izzo community today.”
Ogbule further assured that he is going to device every means including football tournaments to bring both the people of Izzo Ezza and Ezilo communities together to what it use to be before now.
Another Contestant, Contestants, Orugbala Sunday Oche, said the community has chosen him to run for the traditional ruler of the place.
“I was their Town Union President and there was peace and tranquility during my reign. I believe that is why they are begging me to come and become their traditional ruler.
The Commissioner for Information, Barrister Ikeuwa Omebeh applauded the community for coming to answer the call by the Government in order to resolve the traditional leadership matter amicably.
“I believe, If they want crisis, they would not have been here but as you can see, they want free and fair election hence the obedience to come and answer the Government call for meeting, “Omebeh disclosed
The Deputy Chief Whip representing Ishielu North State Constituency, Chukwu Arinze said “there’s no crisis, it is normal in every contest. But the good news is that “We have resolved to conduct free and fair elections for them.”
President General, Comrade Ojeogu Ikechukwu said the Principal Secretary to Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Adum has directed that whoever wants to become the traditional ruler should first of all go and make peace with his people as government is for peace for all.
“We are determined to conduct free and fair election for the Igweship seat whoever wins will be crowned. We assure governor Francis Nwifuru of peace in our community because we cannot afford to have another crisis in our area, “Ojeogu said.
