Crisis looms in Ojoto as youths protest over Monarch
Crisis is looming in Ojoto community, headquarters of Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state, a fortnight after indigenes led by the elders, stormed Gov Willie Obiano’s office in Awka demanding official investigation of their Traditional Ruler, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu.
This time youths of the community have thrown their weight behind the elders, accusing Igwe Mbamalu of acts they said were unbecoming of a royal father.
On Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 the youths led by Nwajimgbede Chukwuka took over the village carrying placards with inscriptions that enumerated their grievances.
Some placards said, “we denounce abomination(alu) in Ojoto”, “ikpucha alu (cleansing/purification) must be done at once”, “ichi Eze (crowning/enthronement) of Igwe Ojoto must follow tradition”. Others stated, “Mbamalu, Ojoto is not a conquered territory”, “ANSG please restore peace and liberty in Ojoto”, “No more closure of churches again in Ojoto by Mbamalu”, and “desecration of church alters, programmes/activities must stop”.
The peaceful demonstration which coincided with the courtesy visit of Otu Omenana, Ojoto Akanasato to the community’s President General, Ichie Donatus Anozie, witnessed distribution of leaflets detailing eleven issues they considered key to the way forward in the community.
The concerned youths called for Ojoto leadership to organize without delay a Peace Summit on the way forward insisting that desecration of Ojoto values, culture and tradition in must stop.
According to the youths, “the closure and imposing of levies on Pentecostal churches by Igwe Gerald Mbamalu must stop, while all such churches should be opened at once.
All illegal and forceful stripping and sales of land owned by the poor, widows, and the vulnerable must stop and investigation and restitution carried out. The also called for immediate dissolution of illegitimate Taskforces and stoppage of illegal levies.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting with Town Union led by Ichie Anozie, the Otu Omenana leader Chief Anthony Uzokwe called for prayers from all quarters for Ojoto to rise again from what he described athe present ashes of shame. He described their meeting as fruitful and heartwarming, as they were assured that all their initial letters that were ignored would now be considered alongside their submission in today’s meeting.
Uzokwe expressed worries that before now all letters to Anozie’s executive as well as Mbamalu were ignored but that they have been assured they would be addressed adequately. He called on Mbamalu to respect the spiritual eye and guide of his members, and should always seek their guide on issues of tradition, culture and values in Ojoto always.
Anozie described the meeting as a step in the right direction meant to move the community forward, which he admitted was a collective responsibility. That all groups and stakeholders would henceforth be carried along.
The Assistant Secretary of the town Union, who incidentally is the spokesman to Igwe Mbamalu, Chief Romeo Anyisia commended the Otu Omenana for the views. He pointed out that no leader would do well without listening to plural views. He assured that the monarch would surely positively consider all the issues raised by Uzokwe and his members.
Chief Ifeanyichukwu Anadi, Ikenga of Ojoto insisted that views of key segments of the community like the Otu Omenana must matter on all issues, for the spiritual benefit of the citizens.
