Kingship tussles tear Imo communities apart

[Mirror]

There is disturbing rise in the number of disputes in the various autonomous communities in Imo State as many communities have been torn apart because of imposition of monarchs on the people.

Our investigation revealed that these autonomous communities have been reduced to battle grounds by powerful individuals who desired the kingship stools by fair or foul means.

As a result of the unhealthy situation, the peace, unity and development of the affected autonomous communities were swept off by litigations, fractionalisations, division of the town unions and mud-slinging.

The unsavoury state of affairs, it was gathered, has dealt a heavy blow on the self-help development culture of the people, who now deploy their megre resources on the tussles.

National Mirror investigation revealed further that protests and fights are common features noticed across the state which had even led to manhandling of some senior government officials.

The officials were accused of imposing their candidates on the communities.

On Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Anthony Anwukah, narrowly escaped being lynched by angry protesters from Umuobiagu autonomous community in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area for allegedly imposing his in-law on them as monarch.

But there appears a glimpse of hope for these aggrieved communities as Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to resolving all traditional stool disputes to ensure smooth take-off of the Community Government Council in the state.

Governor Okorocha stated this at Ahiajoku Center while settling some of the cases brought before him by the Ministry of Community Government Council.

He noted that Community Government Council had not gained the needed ground because some communities have no traditional rulers to pilot their affairs.

Okorocha, while describing the disputes in some communities as a set back to the forth tier government, said his involvement was to ensure that justice prevail in the selection of traditional rulers.

Source: Kingship tussles tear Imo communities apart