Awa People Protest Alleged Hijack Of Town Union, Igweship By A Notable Figure In The Community

By Blessing Uchendu

Hundreds of protesters from Awa Community in Orumba North Local Government Area, have appealed to Anambra State Government to intervene in an alleged attempt by a notable personality in the community to hijack activities of the town union, to further his goals of becoming the traditional ruler of the town.

The demonstrators, mainly youths, women and some elderly men, trouped to the main gate of Anambra State Government House, Awka, chanting songs of anger and dissatisfaction and raising placards with different inscriptions to express their feelings.

In a memo submitted by the protesters, the alleged mastermind along with few notable members of the town, had altered the constitution of the town and manipulated the town union leadership to favour his ambition.

It also stated that the group had stage-managed an election into the Awa Development Union, on the 31st of December, 2020, with 13th of February, 2021, already fixed for the igweship election.

The protesters who appealed to Governor Willie Obiano to weigh into the brewing violence in the town by calling the masterminds to order and cancelling both the said town union election and the new igweship election.

Addressing the demonstrators, the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Greg Obi, who was represented by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry, Mr Henry Nwasike, urged the people to stick to peace in search of results to their agitation, assuring that the government would look into the issues raised and find a lasting solution to the disagreements.