………Stakeholders Call on Gov. Uzodinma to Save Community from Renewed Crisis
By Nduka Oparah
Tension is mounting in Uwaorie Autonomous Community, Agwa, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, following reports that a group is determined to proceed with a town union election despite an existing court order restraining such action.
Concerned stakeholders of the community have raised the alarm and called on the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to urgently intervene to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area.
In a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting, the community leaders appealed to the Imo State Government to direct the Oguta Local Government Council to respect the subsisting court order, which reportedly restrains it from interfering in the affairs of the community or conducting any town union election pending the determination of the matter before the court.
According to the stakeholders, Uwaorie Autonomous Community is only beginning to recover from a prolonged crisis that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property. They expressed fears that attempts to conduct what they described as an illegal election and the alleged annulment of the existing town union leadership before the expiration of its tenure could plunge the community into another round of unrest.
The stakeholders maintained that the current town union executive remains legally recognized and has not completed its constitutional tenure. They warned that any attempt to remove the leadership through unconstitutional means would further destabilize the community and undermine ongoing peace efforts.
They therefore urged Governor Uzodinma, security agencies, and relevant government authorities to act swiftly to ensure compliance with the court order and safeguard the peace currently enjoyed in the community.
The stakeholders reiterated their commitment to peace, lawfulness, and due process, while calling on all parties involved to place the interest of the community above personal or political considerations.
