The quiet peace that existed in Umuhu Autonomous Community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area,ImoState, has been shattered by Ezeship tussle which has pitted the villages of the community against each other.
The quarrel is about how to replace the former Traditional Ruler of the community, Eze Livinus (De Lord) Njoku who died last year, without the community producing an acceptable constitution on how to replace a new Traditional Ruler in case of death.
Although, Late Eze Njoku was the first Traditional Ruler of the community, it was agreed that the Ezeship throne would be rotational, but the problem now is how to select a new Traditional Ruler.
Umuhu Autonomous community is made up of five villages namely, Egbelu, Umuota, Umueze, Umuchem and Mbutu-Amankwu. The Aba-Owerri express road divided the villages into two, leaving Umuechem and Mbutu-Amankwu on one side, while Egbelu, Umuota and Umueze are one side.
However, this accidental divide makes the community’s market, Catholic Church, Secondary and Primary School, Maternity, Post Office and other amenities to remain in Umuechem and Mbutu-Amankwu axis, to the detriment of others three who exploit their population to influence Umuechem and Mbutu-Amankwu in other things in the community.
Recently, a new election was held to replace the old Executive of the Town Union headed by Mr Julius Okere. Sensing that the new Executive may influence who becomes the New Traditional Ruler, the people of Umuechem and Mbutu-Amankwu boycotted the exercise, but the people of Umuota, Egbelu and Umueze still went ahead with the election which produced Mr Maurice Okey Eke as new President-General.
Therefore, in order to forestall any unforeseen development, the people of Umuechem and Mbutu-Amankwu ran to an Owerri High Court stopping Mr Maurice Eke from parading himself as President-General and Nze Livu Animotu as the regent of the community. Following this development, the atmosphere in the community is charged.
Recently, an illustrious son of the community Dr Sam Madugba whose efforts to restore peace to the area was frustrated, wrote a letter where he angrily swore that he will never waste his fund and time again for the people of the community who seem not to appreciate his worth and sacrifices.
Dr Madugba’s grouse is that Umuhu community has been hijacked by illiterates who are fanning embers of discord. He regretted that a community that had personalities like Chief Charles Okoroafor, and Late Dr Hillary Ekpe as its President-Generals in the 80s is today ruled by Primary School drop-outs.
Meanwhile, a draft constitution supervised by three lawyers from the community has been thrown away by the community, who has not even bothered to see the content of the said Draft constitution.
With the situation now, it seems there is no hope for peace in the community which was enmeshed in ugly battles during the selection of its Traditional Ruler years ago when the Autonomous community was newly created.
It would be recalled that it was in the fight of who becomes the first Traditional Ruler of the community that, an illustrious son of the Area, Chief Raphael Ukachukwu Ekpe died mysteriously.
The fear of the unknown is pervading Umuhu community now, and no one knows what will happen next time.
