…I have done nothing to deserve suspension – Igwe Ikenna
The people of Amankanu Community in Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State have protested against the recent suspension of their traditional ruler seeking the intervention of Governor Peter Mbah.
The aggrieved villagers including youths, elders and women gathered at the market square Monday to express anger over the development.
They have also appealed to the Governor to intervene and stop those allegedly trying to instigate crisis in Amankanu.
The villagers carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Igwe Okeke Arum, leave Amankanu community alone!, A tyrant from Owo cannot take over a peaceful community!, Igwe cannot be suspended without trial!, Leave our king alone!,
They also fingered the Commissioner for Chieftaincy, Hon. Okey Ogbodo as part of the gang up against the community and their traditional ruler.
Speaking at the rally, the oldest man in Amankanu, Elias Ogbodo-Ani, stated that Igwe Bennett had never wronged his people but had instead sacrificed his personal resources to ensure peace and unity in the community.
“Igwe Amankanu is Ezeudo; he does not rule with force but leads with wisdom. I urge the government to disregard the false information being spread by enemies of our community who want to take over Amankanu and oppress us.
“We want our Igwe to continue leading us until his natural death, like other monarchs. In any contest, one person must win. Igwe won fairly and has never forcefully taken anyone’s land since assuming the throne.
“He was the one who built the two bridges that our community uses to cross the river, even before he became Igwe. Those plotting to remove him should be careful because it is God who makes kings.”
The women leader, Mrs. Uchenna Ngene, expressed disappointment over what she described as an evil plot to remove Igwe Bennett stressing that no one else was fit to wear the crown.
The youth leader, Livinus Agbo, also appealed to Governor Mbah to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations against Igwe Bennett before taking any action.
He further called on the Governor to intervene and order the so-called “Hunter Association”, set up by the traditional ruler of Mburu-Owo in Amankanu, to leave their land.
“We, the youths, have never seen or heard that Igwe Bennett forcefully took anyone’s land or sold it for personal gain. The money realized from the only land that was sold was shared among the five kindreds under government supervision.
“We are asking the government to come to our aid. A traditional ruler cannot go to another community, set up a security outfit, arm them, and call them ‘Hunters’ with the intent to intimidate us.
“Okeke Arum has been using this security outfit to arrest our youths, yet we have remained silent to maintain peace. But let it not be assumed that our silence is weakness. We do not want what happened in Oruku to happen here. The only security outfits we recognize are the Neighborhood Watch and the Forest Guard. The so-called ‘Hunters’ security force should leave our land,” he said.
Speaking, the traditional ruler HRH Igwe Bennett Ikenna defended his position saying, “I have not done anything to deserve suspension as the traditional ruler of Amankanu. If anyone has evidence of my wrongdoing, let them bring it forward.”
He refuted allegations made by Dr. George Nwachi, the traditional ruler of Mburu-Owo Autonomous Community, HRH Igwe Okeke Arum, and others, describing them as “lies from the pit of hell.”
To prove his innocence, the traditional has suggested an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the matter and urged Governor Mbah to engage both parties to uncover the truth.
“I have not committed any wrongdoing in Amankanu; rather, I stand firmly to protect my people from land grabbers. Now, I am accused of being a land grabber and of high-handedness towards my people by those trying to instigate chaos in our community. They claim to be the governor’s brothers, but as long as we are from Nkanu East, we are all his brothers.
“George Nwachi is a major problem in our community. He never visits, yet he colludes with others to write petitions against me. I challenge the people of Amankanu: if I have ever sold anyone’s land and pocketed the money, let them present the evidence.
“I am saying this so the world can hear me. I cannot allow anybody to overrule my community or impose leadership on us. Is there any contest where a winner does not emerge? Peter Mbah and Edoga contested the governorship of Enugu State, and Mbah won. Should Edeoga now dictate to Mbah? The same applies here—they are trying to remove me without cause. I have wronged no one.
“If there are issues in this community, they are caused by those who never return home. I know the problems of my people. The land they claim I grabbed was mapped out for a secondary school. Can a school or market be built in the air?
“I have not wronged anyone, but Okeke Arum vowed—even before Peter Mbah took office—that he would remove me as the traditional ruler of Amankanu. I am saying this so the world can hear me. The governor is our governor and brother. No one can deny the progress Peter Mbah has brought to Enugu State, especially to Amankanu. If someone had told me a road would pass through Amankanu, I wouldn’t have believed it, but today, Peter Mbah has made it a reality.
“When my people wanted to protest at the Government House, I stopped them because I did not want it to seem like we were opposing the government or causing trouble. I am content with what the governor is doing in the state.
The monarch however accused Arum of allegedly setting up security outfit called ‘hunters’ in Amankanu, where he is incharge, to allegedly perfect his evil intention,, regretting that he has been using them to attack and arrest his people.
He also alleged that Arum connived with Hon Okey Ogbodo to set up town union caretaker committee of Amankanu at Ogbodo’s office without his consent as the traditional ruler.
Observations: It is our humble submission that this matter deserves a closer look by His Excellency.
The idea of an independent panel as suggested in the community’s appeal may be considered. This would provide a level platform for all to be heard.
May it please Your Excellency.
