By adedeji tunji
The People of Eziokele and Eziobodo Autonomous Communities in Owerri West LGA, Imo have cried out to Gov Rochas Okorocha over victimization, Intimidation and denial of their right by Eze Lucky Okoro.
The two autonomous communities leaders and women pointed accusing fingers at Eze Oha 111 of Ezibodo Autonomous community for what they described as victimization of his subject, and the people from Eziokele community.
Their grievances is contained in a letter to Owerri West Council of traditional rulers dated 26th August, 2013 and signed by Umuayo Women Association such as Mrs Chinyere Ihusa, Mrs Charity Anozie, Mrs Edith Echendu, Fidelia Ededo, and others.
The letter reads in part: “Eze Oha should allow democratic rule to be exercised in the affairs of Eziokele, Eziobodo. Women should be allowed to chose their leaders. Stop using vigilante as thugs in harassing married women to avoid uncontrollable crises in the community”.
The letter further reads in part that; Mrs Happiness Madubata should step down because she was rejected by the women and was imposed on them. Again, Eze Okoro should stop using women from another community to fill their position.
Eze Osuji lamented that all moves by Ambassador Club Eziobodo, the two GLO’s of Eziobodo and Eziokele and the clergymen in Eziobodo town, to address the issues have never received Eze Okoro’s blessing. He appealed to him to stop encouraging strife, division and litigations. He advised him too, to withdraw allmembers of his community from his cabinet for peaceful co-existence.
Eze Osuji further reiterated that one of the reasons why he was fingered as the brain behind the problems in his community is that when Mr Richard Amadi from Umuofor donated a signed post to enable people easier location to Eze’s palace. India Okere and Monday Ajoku resisted it and when it was finally mounted, it was vandalized. When they were arrested by the police, Eze Okoro ordered their release through one of his aide.
In his reaction, Eze Lucky Okoro denied the accusation describing it as a lie aimed at tarnishing his image as a person, stressing that he can never be against any Government policy. He added that the problem with his accusers is that they are ignorant and lack knowledge of history. He advised the Government to always consider the culture, tradition and the history of a community before granting autonomy.
