BY JAMES NWAKPA
Following the village leadership tussle that has beleaguered Amachi Unuphu in Amegu community of Abakaliki Local Government Area, the elders and the stakeholders of the area have commended the efforts of the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, on his relentless efforts to ensure that peace returns permanently to the area.
Gov. Umahi who was ably represented in an enlarged meeting held today at Edufu Inyirigbada (Ancestral Playground) of Amegu community, by his SSA on Legal Services and Conflict Resolution, Barr. Emeka Nwode, was highly commended for making out time to come to the people's sacred place in order to resolve multifaceted issues that bother on village leadership which according to them have brought so much discomfort and disunity among the people of Amachi Unuphu village.
Speaking during the meeting, the traditional Prime Minister of Amegu Community, Ishi Uke Mbam Ngele appealed to all and sundry to toe the line of peace and to always stand on the ground of truth at all times, adding that false information and "hear say" have the capacity of bringing disaffection and enmity among the people, and appealed to those whose integrity has been brought to question as a result of unsubstantial accusations by the former Director in Ebonyi State Ministry of Works, Engr. Gabriel Emerike and cohorts, to calm down as peace remains the ultimate.
In an interview, the Executive Chairman, Abakaliki L.G.A, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele and the National President, Izzi Nnodo Youth Forum, Comrade Ben Nwovu, thanked the Governor for engaging the people of Amachi Unuphu on that peace talk through his SSA on Legal Services and Conflict Resolution, and expressed hope that the matter would be nipped in the bud on Monday 8th November, 2021, which has been scheduled to arrest the whole situation and those involved in loggerheads would go home and drink with one cup.
Also speaking, the former Caretaker Chairman of the village, Hon. Paul Igwe Nwachukwu explained that his primary assignment was to maintain peace and unity in Amachi Unuphu village and to ensure free, fair and transparent election within the six months period of his appointment, which he said was done by allowing the wish of the masses to prevail over personal interest of some selfish individuals, and expressed happiness over the concerted efforts of the state and the local governments in making sure that peace reigns again in Amachi Unuphu village.
Earlier, the SSA to the Governor on Legal Services and Conflict Resolution, Barr. Emeka Nwode, appreciated the people for their peaceful conduct and enjoined them to eschew bitterness and acrimony while efforts are on top gear to reconcile the differences of the two rival groups for the sake of peace and development in the village, while commending the elders of the land for their patience and truthfulness in addressing the matter, stressing that the government would never relent on its efforts to ensure lasting peace in the area and the entire Ebonyi State.
Recall that the people of Amachi Unuphu had on 6th August, 2021, conducted Village Council election, leading to the emergence of Chief Innocent Nwiboko and Mr. Innocent Ozokpor, as the village head of Amachi Unuphu Onunkwegu and Ndiebor Amachi Unuphu (Army Land) with their executives, which has been vehemently opposed by a group of persons from the village spearheaded by the former Director of Ebonyi State Ministry of Works, Engr. Gabriel Emerike who has written series of petitions against those who conducted the election and other Stakeholders from Abakaliki L.G.A. whom he had accused of bribery and perversion of justice.
