An appeal has gone to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti to allow for an internal collective approach for the election of Nnaka IV of Okon-Aku Autonomous Community in Ohafia LGA rather than using external forces to do do.
The appeal was made during a peaceful protest to the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief David Ogba Onuoha by the people of Okon-Aku Autonomous Community.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a community leader Mr. Ogbugo Offor Mba informed the Mayor that the committee set up by the state government to conduct the election into the office of Nnaka IV failed to create a level playing field for all the qualified candidates to participate in the process of screening, and the purported election which didn’t follow the laid down custom, traditions and guidelines of Okon-Aku people.
Mr. Mba appealed to the state Chief executive to consider the wish of majority of Okon-Aku people who are yearning for an all inclusive election that will be conducted on their home soil rather than at the Ohafia L.G.A Secretariat which he said is alien to the tradition of Okon-Aku Ohafia in selecting an Eze,
The leader of the protesters urged the Governor to use his good office to ensure that the process of electing the next Nnaka should be put on hold for now, adding that what the community wants is the installation of an Ezieogo who shall then drive the process of electing Nnaka IV.
Addressing the protesters, the Mayor, Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief David Agba Onuoha informed the crowd that the state Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has already cancelled the earlier election held to produce the next Nnaka IV for lack of due process and has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to conduct a fresh election on Friday May 17th 2024 at the Council Secretariat Ebem.
The Ohafia Council boss thanked them for being peaceful in their quest for justice, fair play and inclusiveness and enjoined them to continue to be Peaceful always.
The protesters carried play cards with various inscriptions such as “we reject any election outside our home soil Okon-Aku,” “We say no to imposition of Nnaka IV”, “We reject the move to hijack the electoral process among others”
Similarly Okon-Aku Council Of Chiefs has rejected in strong terms the planed election of Nnaka IV at the Ohafia Local Government Headquarters Ebem describing it as a sacrilege to the land, addressing news men at the Palace at Ndi Eche Royal Compound Okon-Aku, the Speaker of the Council, Chief Oge Ume And a cabinet member Chief Uche Ikenga condemned such plan and queried the rationale behind such decision of government.
The two leaders reminded the authorities that every community has their ancestral norms regarding the selection and installation of an Eze and urge the state government to allow the people of Okon-Aku Autonomous Community to choose their Eze in line with their age long tradition.
They assured governor Otti of their continued loyalty and support to his administration at all time.
Notable Ohafia Local Government Officials including the Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Rev. Williams Onyema Agbai Witnessed The Protests.
