COMMUNITIES IN ENUGU STATE TOLD TO SHUN CULTURAL PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE DISHARMONY AMONG MEMBERS

The Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has called on communities in the area to eschew all forms of cultural practices that cause break down of law and order in the state.

Chief Ugwuanyi made the call while addressing protesters from Obuno Ndi Uno community in Akpugo, at Government House Enugu over an alleged plan to disenfranchise some of the community members from contesting the position of traditional ruler in the area.

The Governor expressed sadness that some people were still turning deaf ears to the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Enugu State law that abolished the practice of Ohu and Amadi.

He maintained that that such culture would not be recognized by the government.

Chief Ugwuanyi described the idea of excluding some persons from contesting the traditional stool as marginalization and injustice and assured the protesters that due process would be followed to give equal opportunity to all.

Earlier, the President of the Town Union, Mr. Augustine Okoye told the Governor that the social exclusion and discrimination had caused serious setback in the area and called on him to urgently intervene in the matter.

In a remark, a prominent indigene of the area, Prince Okwudiri Agbo appealed to the state government to set aside the obnoxious constitution of the community which excluded nineteen kindred units out of thirty from contesting the post of traditional ruler.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions  such as

“No more intimidation and injustice,” “We cannot be strangers in our land,” “We want option A4 election,” “Governor save your people.

OLIVER OSSAI