…Self-imposed PG, Nwokoro Accused Of Stocking Anarchy
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Tension is reported to have engulfed Umueze Village in Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, threatening the peace, stability and security of lives and properties in the area following the activities of one Prof. Joachim Nwokoro who allegedly imposed himself as the President General of Umueze Village; one of the four villages in the community.
Meanwhile, HRM, Eze Godwin Ehirim (Duru Imo II of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom) during a meeting with his cabinet, condemned the actions of Prof Nwokoro, restraining members of his cabinet from attending Umueze Village Day Celebration scheduled for today, December 30, 2024, and purportedly being organized by Prof Joachim Nwokoro and his group. This followed Prof Nwokoro’s refusal to allow peace reign in the area, including his disregard, disrespect as well as refusal to honour any of the several invitations by Eze Ehirim’s Cabinet to resolve the impasse.
It was gathered that Prof Nwokoro had not only caused the breach of peace and unity of the Umueze Village since imposing, as well as parading himself as PG of the village without election, but has gone ahead to organize the said Umueze Village Day Celebration against the wishes of the people of the village who viewed his activities as illegal, illegitimate as well as against the established practices in the village, hence serving as an invitation to anarchy in the area.
A reliable source disclosed that Umueze Village had enjoyed peace, unity and progress before Prof Nwokoro and his group decided otherwise. According to the source, trouble started in April 2024 when the village leadership under the incumbent and outgoing PG, Sir Tony Asiegbu, convened a meeting of sons and daughters under Umueze Progressive Union (UPU) where the issue of succession was discussed and an Electoral Committee headed by Chief Dominic Etonyeaku was inaugurated after a motion moved by Prince Emma Alaribe.
However, the Electoral Committee was yet to fulfill its mandate when to the utter amazement and confusion of the villagers, Prof Joachim Nwokoro, announced himself the President General as well as started terrorizing the village with armed men even though there was no election.
As gathered, the contestants for the election, Prof. Nwokoro, Arch Nicholas Opara and Hon Ndubuisi Alozie were scheduled for screening for the election billed to hold after the court adjourned date of 15th May, 2024. Regrettably both the screening and the election did not take place because of the unfortunate actions of Prof Joachim Nwokoro and his group, who decided to disrupt the process, fearing that he can’t win a free and fair election.
With the peace of Umueze Village threatened, some concerned indigines led by the Chairman, Mr. Celestine Anuchauka wrote and requested the intervention of the king’s cabinet in resolving the problem.
Accordingly, the source said that Eze Ehirim swiftly intervened, including withdrawing the matter which was pending in court for local arbitration, but regrettably Prof Nwokoro, had shunned several invitations by the Eze’s Cabinet to resolve the issue as well as to restore peace, order and unity in the Umueze Village, prompting the disregarded king’s cabinet during a failed peace meeting on December 27, 2024 at the Eze Ehirim’s Palace at Egbelu to dissociate self from the said Umueze Village Day Celebration, as well as forbade members from attending.
While Prof Nwokoro was reported to have shown disdain and disrespect for the traditional institution and authority of the Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, the other party has always been present during peace meetings called by the Eze’s Cabinet towards bringing the situation to normalcy, in addition demonstrating willingness to cooperate with the Cabinet.
Investigations revealed that during the last meeting at the Eze’s Palace, various organs of Umueze Village, including the youths, elders and security committee among others voiced out strong concerns, discontent and disapproval over the destabilizing actions of Prof Nwokoro in Umueze Village, urging the state government and security agencies to call him to other before the situation deteriorates into anarchy. They vowed not to allow Prof Nwokoro to destroy their village because of his alleged self-serving interest.
During an inquiry, a villager who requested anonymity, reflected on the situation at Umueze Village, suggesting the urgent need to arrest the ugly development before the village is set ablaze. He wondered how a contestant could declare himself the PG of the village even before the date scheduled for the election which didn’t hold. He argued that insecurity bedeviling the state was enough reason for any good citizen to refrain from actions capable of instigating crises in any part of the state.
Meanwhile, efforts made to reach Prof Joachim Nwokoro for his comments concerning the matter proved abortive.
