Security operatives take over Anambra Oba community, stop planned union election…

What would have resulted in the serious breakdown of law and order yesterday in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, when security operatives numbering over 50 took over the premises of the Oba Civic Centre, the venue for the yearly Oba Mass Return Ceremony.

The Oba community had scheduled the celebration of its yearly Mass Return Ceremony, where they gather to discuss every Easter, issues of development and other things concerning the community.

However, as early as 6.30 am uniformed and plain cloth stern looking and combat-ready security men had taking over the premises of the Civic Center, which also houses the office of the President General of Oba Patriotic Union, OPU.

The action of the security operatives was said to have angered Oba youths who saw the disruption of the days event, where their welfare, which includes financial empowerment and business support are discussed and carried out, therefore, threatened to confront the security men, since there was no prior leadership crisis in the community that warrants the such presence of security men and disruption of their yearly ceremony.

It was however gathered that the Regent of the Oba community, Prince Noel Ezenwa, on getting the information about the presence of the security men, immediately passed instructions round the town and pleaded with the youth to calm down, be law abiding to avoid anything that will endanger their lives, promising that he and the members of the Ezeokpoko Cabinet, will handle the situation.

However, some of the youths in Oba, under the aegis of “The Most Qualified” a group which said their interest is the progress of Oba, led by Azubike Ejikeme, popularly known as ‘Odogwu Aburo Ile,’ paid the Regent a visit in his father’s palace to know the reason for security operatives disruption of the event, expressing disappointment with Anambra State Government who drafted the security agents to the venue.

Responding to the youths, Regent of Oba, Prince Ezenwa, said that some people wants to be traditional ruler of Oba by force and when they failed in the screening exercise for the position, they started spreading false information about the leadership crisis in OPU, which has no leadership crisis.

He alleged that two Chief’s from Akuzu and Isu, are using their contacts in government, particularly the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, to impose Interim leadership in OPU, after they failed in their screening for Igwe Oba, stool, they resorted to fighting the PG whose tenure expired today, who has equally tendered his appreciation letter to Oba people.