By Chizoba Okeke/Anastasia Agunwa/Gloria Abugu :
The Anambra State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to quickly direct the commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters to investigate the breakdown of law and order in Ifitedunu.
This he said is to persecute the perpetrators of the act inline with the vision of making Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland.
The House resolution was made following a motion moved under matter of public urgent importance by the honourable member representing Dunkofia constituency, Mr. Chuks Atani and was seconded by the honourable member representing Anambra West, Mr. Patrick Udoba.
The speaker of the House, Mr. Somotochukwu Udeze who presided during plenary had moved for the resolution of the House while lawmakers unanimously adopted it through voice votes.
The speaker condemned the act saying, “in this era when the State is fighting to have a liveable homeland such act is not encouraged’’..
Mr. Azotani said that there is a lot of issues regarding the position of the President General (PG) of Ifitedunu community where an elected PG was attacked and harassed.
“There will be more chaos in Ifitedunu and Dunkofia as a whole if nothing is done to stop the issue. The governor should direct the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy and town union matters to investigate this case and bring a solution to it,’’ Mr. Azotani said.
In his contribution, the honourable member representing Anaocha 2 constituency, Mr. Ejike Okechukwu said, “if the case is not nipped in the bud, it may lead to more chaos and loss of life.
“People should not take laws into their hands. We should always obey constituted authorities. There should be a constitutional method of removing a PG if the community does not need him.’’
The majority leader Mr. Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo) said that the Commissioner for Homeland Security Matters should be involved in the investigation to explain if the criminal act was part of the duty assigned to the vigilante group.
“The primary purpose government is to protect live and property while making the State liveable and prosperous. The perpetrators are not making the community and state liveable anymore.
“We are not here to represent just our people, we owe them security and whatever we harbour in one community today would repeat itself in another community. We can’t stand seeing our people being killed everyday.’’
The honourable member representing Ihiala 1 constituency, Mr. Jude Ngobili said that the process of removing a town PG is always in accordance with the Constitution of the town union.
“The PG is the frontier of government and the sole of the town. If anything happens to the PG, it affects the peace, unity and orderliness in the town
“A panel of inquiry should be set-up to know the true reflection of the case. A suitation where the town union is been challenged through the PG brings alot of hardship to the people of that community.’’
In his views, the honourable member representing Onitsha North1 constituency, Mr. Douglas Egbuna said the case has some criminal connotation therefore the police should be allowed to delve into the matter, investigate and give an official report on it.
“There is threat to life, assault, body harm and other criminal act on the PG so the police should be given a free hand to investigate the matter.’’
Mr. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha South 2), Mr. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North 2), Mr. Anthony Muobuike (Aguata 2), Mr. Obi Nweke (Anambra East) and Mr. Golden Iloh (Ihiala) unanimously supported the motion and urged Anambra State Government to do the needful.
