The women of the Uzoagba Ancient Kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State have taken to the streets in protest against Justice Nze, the council chairman, claiming that he violated community norms by forcing a traditional ruler and President General (PG) on them.
The demonstrators claimed the council chairman had violated the constitution by allegedly doing something that goes against long-standing community norms.
On Friday, a group of women marched to the council headquarters in Iho and gathered outside the chairman’s office. They carried placards that read, “Respect Our Tradition,” “Uzoagba Ezeship Stool Is Not Hereditary,” “We Say No to the Imposition of an Eze in Uzoagba,” and “Uzoagba Deserves the Right to Choose Its Leaders Independently,” among different messages.
Mrs. Maria Emetumba, speaking to journalists on behalf of the Uzoagba Development Union, UDU, Home and Abroad, stated that the peaceful demonstration was initiated to convey to the local government chairman the message that the people of Uzoagba do not desire violence or instability in their town.
Furthermore, she emphasised that the LG chairman ought to delay holding any community town union election until the court decides the case, since it is now ongoing before a competent court.
Ezinne Patricia Ndukwu, the Secretary-General, read a statement signed by the women’s wing’s leadership and begged the council chairman to listen to their warnings and prevent a crisis that may disrupt the community’s harmonious coexistence.
She reiterated that the female faction is firmly rejecting the idea of imposing candidates on the electoral committee for the so-called Ezeship and Uzoagba Development Union elections.
In order to avoid being held in contempt of court, it is imperative that the position of Uzoagba President General not be meddled with, as it is now being litigated in a court of competent jurisdiction, according to the statement.
Along with the women, Michael Chibuike Okpara, the community’s youth leader, went to the council headquarters to speak during the protest. He warned the LG chairman and his deputy against doing anything that could cause trouble in Uzoagba, saying that the people there have a history of being peaceful and united.
But he stressed that he was just acting legally and with the goal of keeping the peace in the community. Nze stated that he was unaware the case was in court, added that the case had been resolved as far as he was aware, and urged the community to refrain from doing anything that could spark a social uprising.