Ngige’s community shuns protest over monarch’s suspension

By NWANOSIKE ONU, Awka

Residents of Alor in Idemili South local government area of Anambra have refused to heed call by their traditional ruler, MacAnthony Okonkwo, for protest against his suspension by the State government over his trip to Abuja.

Alor community is where Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige hails from.

The Monarch was suspended by Governor Willie Obiano alongside 12 others for one year recently for visiting Abuja without the permission of the State Government.

Penultimate weekend, the community trooped out to protest against their suspended monarch, accusing him of desecrating their tradition.

They called on Governor Willie Obiano to banish him from the community.

They also appealed, through President of Alor People’s Assembly, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa, to Obiano to stop a caretaker committee in the area from parading themselves.

However, at the weekend, some youths numbering about 200, stormed the community in about eleven buses to protest suspension of the monarch.

They were chanting war songs and driving around the Obi Alor square without any challenge.

APA President Igbonwa however disowned the group.

He said: “Those people are not from our community, whoever that brought them wanted war but Alor people are peace makers and their mission did not materialise.

“My appeal to our people is to remain calm, everything will soon be settled. We did not tell Obiano to suspend anyone.

“Alor community will always support his administration and before the unfortunate show of shame by the miscreants on Saturday, the community had petitioned the Governor, the Police and DSS on the planned mayhem in Alor.

“Those behind what is happening in our community today are the people appointed and giving certificate as caretaker committee by the government and they have turned against Obiano today

“We thank God our people are God fearing and peaceful people and if our youth had responded, it would have been a bloodbath in the community.”

The Nation gathered despite the town crier going round the community a night before the protest, residents shunned the event.

The Nation gathered that the town crier had announced the State government officials were coming to Alor to share palliatives in food items and cash. (The Nation)