At this weekend’s New Yam Festival celebration, Nanka community members challenged Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to take action to prevent a crisis as the community prepares for war.
Many of the settlements that make up the town of Nanka in the state’s Orumba North Local Government Area have experienced numerous problems.
Some residents of the Nanka village of Agbiligba begged Soludo to take quick action to stop bloodshed. This occurred as the natives accused some powerful community members of plotting to install an Ozor title holder as leader without following the proper procedures.
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Nze Chinedu Ezeozue, a title chief of Agbiligba village, and other members of the Nze na Ozor group spoke to journalists on Thursday, said there is impending crisis on Friday and Saturday, during the new yam celebration, unless the governor intervenes.
Ezeozue told journalists: “During our new yam festival of 2023, which comes up on August 18 and 19, the tradition is that Isi Nze, the leader of Nze na Ozor title holders, will pick yam after some rites by the traditional ruler, but a former lawmaker, Hon Okwudili Ezenwankwor, is working to install his uncle, David Ezenwankwor as Isi Nze. If they try this, they will be crisis, and we are calling on our governor to avert this.”
The community has sworn to reject any attempt to legitimise Ezenwankwor as Isi Nze, according to a letter submitted to the governor on the subject, which was read aloud by Ezeozue.
Part of their letter to Governor Soludo read: “Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwor, former Member of House of Representatives, has been using HRH Igwe Godwin Ogochukwu Ezeilo to desecrate and destroy the traditional laws, customs, culture and tradition of Nanka community.
“This is likely to lead to breakdown of law, order, and public peace during our new yam festival on August 18 and 19, 2023.”
According to Ezeozue, the attempt to install Chief David Ezenwankwor as Isi Nze began in 2021 during their new yam celebration. However, the plot was resolutely thwarted, almost embarrassing the community in front of her guests, which included then-governorship candidate Mr. Valentine Ozigbo.
“We resisted it and they stayed low. Last year, we did not hold the new yam festival in deference to our President General was killed by gunmen. This year, our new yam festival is coming up, and they are making plans to enthrone Ezenwankwor as Isi Nze, but this would lead to crisis. That is why we are calling on Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to intervene.”
Hon. Okwudili Ezenwankwor has been accused of being one of those who is causing the situation, but attempts to reach him on his mobile phone for comment have been unsuccessful on multiple occasions.
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Ifeanyi Ezike, the community’s president general, asserted that measures are already being made to address the situation.
Speaking on behalf of the government, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters, said the Soludo administration had successfully handled numerous problems in numerous areas and would do the same in Nanka.
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