Natives of the Umunenweze Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, on Wednesday at the Government House, Umuahia, staged a peaceful protest over alleged illegal sales of communal land.
The protesters accused Paul Onuigbo Uzuegbu and the village head, Mr. Ejikeme Emeruwa of unlawfully allocating community land to developers and land agents without the consent of the people.
Speaking to journalists, the group’s spokesman and Secretary, Okechukwu Uzuegbu, alleged that Paul Onuigbo Uzuegbu has been deposed as a traditional ruler and no longer possesses any authority over their ancestral land.
He said a greater portion of their land had been destroyed by bulldozers, allegedly brought in Paul Onuigbo Uzuegbu’s agent.
The spokesman further alleged that the “deposed” monarch was using individuals who are not members of the community to sign documents as Chairman and Secretary of the village.
Addressing the protesters, on behalf of the Abia State Government, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Magdalene Ugoanusi commended the protesters for choosing the path of peace, and assured them of government intervention.
She urged members of the community to be calm, adding that Governor Alex Otti’s administration does not tolerate violence.
