The crisis, NATIONAL PANEL learnt that, has split the members of the site under umbrella of the Motorcycle Spare Parts and Allied Wheel Workers Association into factions following the leadership feuds among their leaders and stakeholders.
In an interview with journalists, Mr Ransom Nwite, who claimed to be the current acting Chairman of the Association, the leadership crisis began last Tuesday, when an alleged 'unorganized group descended upon the site, disturbing public peace and business activities.'
Nwite said, "As if that was not enough, the group members suspected to be cultists and hooligans, came on Tuesday morning and started shooting sporadically in the site with their guns."
He accused one Obinna Obasi of fanning the embers of the controversy, "by parading himself as the new appointed Chairman of the site, struggling to displace me from my position as the acting Chairman of our association."
Nwite disclosed that some of the suspected miscreants were arrested by the police, and accused Obinna Obasi of introducing divisions in the leadership of the site, "just because he hails from the same clan with the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru."
"How can Obinna Obasi come to be the chairman of the mechanic site, and notwithstanding, brought unorganized groups including cultists and hooligans to create fear? He plans to destroy my good work and image in this site, but I'm happy that the relevant authorities and even my members know my worth. I know our Golden Governor in this State, His Excellency Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru didn't send them as Obinna Obasi claimed just because he's from Izhi," he further explained.
Nwite said that he had stayed two years in an acting capacity but still waiting for the new governor of the State, Nwifuru to form his executive council members to enable him to write to the appropriate quarters to conduct their formal election.
He expressed confidence in being reelected when the election would be conducted in considering his achievements in his present office.
Reacting, Obinna Obasi declared himself as the authentic Chairman of the Association, alleging that Ransom Nwite was imposed on the members of the site by the immediate past Governor of the State, David Umahi because he hails from the same country home, Uburu in Ohaozara LGA.
Obasi explained that the Chairmanship position of the Association was always ceded to the Izhi clan as the landlord of the site, but accused the former Governor Umahi of not allowing the pact to persist in his regime by allegedly imposing his brother, Ransom Nwite on the union through appointment.
He said: "I was supposed to be the one leading this association but the appointment of Ransom Nwite by his brother and former Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi stopped my election in 2018. Even Magnus Nwasum who came from Izhi, ruled the association through appointment.
"The problem now is that Nwabueze Awoke who had never declared interest in the Chairmanship position has indicated interest after seeing the overwhelming support of the members of the association for me, since I led them to show solidarity to our brand new Governor, His Excellency Chief Francis Nwifuru on 29th May during his inaugural ceremony.
"I must tell you that the Chairmanship position was snatched from us through the instrumentality of former Governor David Umahi but thank God, our members have returned the mandate to me."
Obasi also accused Nwabueze Awoke of inviting assailants to kill him at the site, following the irresistible support by the members of the association.
"Nwabueze Awoke invited high killers who came in his Highlander vehicle with him to kill me. He came with them and pointed at me on the site. I immediately invited security agents who came to arrest him, but he escaped with his gang. I asked the security personnel to arrest his apprentice and one Magnus Nwasum backing him to perpetuate the crisis in the site just to make my tenure ungovernable.
"I chose to toe paths of peace because as a leader, it is not good to engage in violence and we only need security at the site, to avoid further threats to the public peace."
When contacted, the Police Spokesperson, Ebonyi State Command, SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said no report about the incident has reached her office.
"We don't have the report yet. The official procedure has not been fastened," the Police Mouthpiece asserted.
