By Reagan Obioma
The Community Government Council, known as the Fourth Tier of Government inImoState, has continued to stir rift and controversy in various communities of the State.
The latest crisis is taking place in Akpulu community in Ideato North Local Government Area.
They are furious with the alleged refusal of the State Government to pave way for the election of a President General and other officials that will be part of the Fourth Tier of Government in Akpulu community.
Imo Trumpeta learnt that trouble began when the State Government aborted elections to elect new executives of Akpulu Progressive Union (APU). The elections were aimed at producing a new President General for the community who will be an integral component of the community Government Council in the area.
It was observed that most stakeholders and the 22 village heads in Akpulu community are rooting for Chief Emeka Diwe for the job.
Reports indicate that the State Government allegedly fuelled the intensity of the crisis in Akpulu when the Special Adviser on Conflict Resolution, Engr. Peter Ohagwa, suddenly showed up on Election Day, claiming that he was instructed by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha to put off the elections in Akpulu.
Addressing the mammoth crowd atAkpuluTown hall, Engr. Ohagwa declared that the election had to be put off on the instruction of the Governor, stating that he had prepared to come and monitor the election, but was instructed on the contrary by the Governor.
According to him, the Community Government Council to be headed by Eze Dimeogwu will run the affairs of Akpulu community, which puts an end to the tenure of the Interim Committee that was running the affairs of Akpulu people.
This did not go down well with some stakeholders in the community who challenged in strong terms the decision of the State Government to meddle into the community’s internal affairs and impose the monarch whom they say they have lost confidence on.
In reaction to Engr. Ohagwa’s comments, the crowd at the hall insisted that Eze Dimeogwu should not head the CGC on the basis that they have lost confidence in him. They cited his refusal to recognize the village heads of 18 villages as part of his divide and rule policy in the community.
According to an elder in the community who spoke to Imo Trumpeta on condition of anonymity, the cancellation of the election of APU executives contradicts the gospel of my people, my people, preached by the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
He said ‘what manner of policy is this that deprives the people the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in consonance with the United Nation’s fundamental Human Rights’
Speaking in the same vein, a leader in the community, Chief Eze Chigoziri, challenged the CGC, declaring that the policy is a negation to their right of association and fundamental human rights in a democratic dispensation.
Most community members condemned the actions of the government, stating that the move is a calculated ploy by the State Government in corroboration with the traditional ruler of the Area, Eze Dimeogwu to deny the community the people’s choice for the post of President General of the community which is Chief Emeka Diwe.
Efforts by Imo Trumpeta to speak to Eze Dimeogwu on the issue was futile as he was heavily guarded by security men who shielded him from the irate crowd that were furious with his submissions to the State Government representatives
