The people of Nkomoro Autonomous Community in the Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have come hard on members of the state assembly Committee on Public Petitions for ordering the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Chief Jacob Nwakpa, as their new traditional ruler.
The committee had, last week, ordered the coronation of Nwakpa and dismissed the petition against him by members of the community.
Irked by the development, residents of the community , on Tuesday, protested the resolution of the Assembly committee on the chieftaincy tussle and rejected Nwakpa as their traditional ruler.
Carrying placards with the inscription, “Nkomoro community has never benefited from Jacob Nwakpa”; “Nkomoro traditional stool is not for sale; Jacob Nwakpa is not our choice”, among others, the residents urged the House of Assembly members to tread with caution to avert a looming crisis in the area.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the National President, Nkomoro Youth Assembly, Peter Agbom, and the acting Town Union President of the community, Obiora Ezaka, said the acclaimed Eze-elect was not elected by the people, and would not rule them as their traditional ruler.
According to the duo, “We appreciate and respect His Excellency, Francis O. Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State, for his political dexterity and maturity in dousing the political intrigues, tension, and bickering in the Local Government elections in the state. The amicable resolution and balancing of competing interests is further testimony to the governor’s wisdom and fatherly disposition.
“No doubt, Governor Nwifuru has bestowed Ebonyians with great hope for the future while delivering immediate dividends of good governance to last till that future. We salute his efforts and pledge total commitment to his administration.
“We reject in the strongest term the attempted and remotely manipulated efforts to impose a traditional ruler on Nkomoro by external elements, masterminded by Nwakpa Ikpenyi’s family.
The community noted that at no place, time or forum within any inch of Nkomoro land was Nwakpa nominated or elected as the Ezeogo of the community.
“We reinstate our trust in the ongoing judicial process while we vehemently refuse and will resist any further attempt to impose a traditional ruler upon the good people of Nkomoro without a free and transparent election guided in a participatory process.
“Therefore, we call on all men of goodwill to join us in partnership to enthrone and maintain peace in Nkomoro community.”
