The people of Ihekwuenu-Aku Autonomous Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state, have debunked the rumour of a raging crisis in the community.
The president General of the community, Prof. Godwin Ezike-Mba, who spoke during a Thanksgiving Mass by the family of the traditional ruler of the community, Chief Christopher Okwor, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, Aku on Wednesday said that the rumour was fabricated by a few disgruntled individuals in the community.
According to him, the traditional ruler has continued to enjoy the backing of his people and has demonstrated admirable leadership which has brought peace and development to the community.
“We have peace in my community, only that some disgruntled ones decided to create problems where there are no problems.
“They took a personal family matter with their Igwe as an autonomous community matter which is not true. We have been to the government.
“Government set up a panel on it, investigated it and the immediate past administration refused to bring out a report. We are even aware of the report but we can not even find it. So the whole thing is that this community is a peaceful community. Go and check the records of autonomous communities in Enugu State.
“When the state government set up a panel and the panel came here they said the man has cases with everybody in the town. The panel discovered that apart from the same family there is no record of any case between that man and anybody.
Also, Chief Romanus Nnadi, who spoke on behalf of the members of the traditional ruler’s cabinet, described Okwor as a man who had sustained a good relationship with the villages that make up the community, adding that he was a man of justice.
He said “there is peace in this community and I say that with every sense of assurance. We have three villages in this autonomous community and we are at the centre of the town union. These communities have peace and have good relationships with the traditional ruler.
“He is known to be a very sincere person. He is a God-fearing man. A man that believes in justice. If there is any issue in any village within the community he goes there to ensure that justice is done.
“He doesn’t mince words. He doesn’t mind relationships, he goes ahead to tell you that you are wrong. That is what he is known for.”
Also, the Reverend Father, St Gregory’s Catholic Church, Aku, Christopher Ogbaka, extolled the virtues of the royal family, saying that they can be likened to the Holy Family which his homily was centered on.
“The family of Igwe Okwor is well organised. Looking at the family you see that they is a family that works together, prays together and dialogues together. When you see them you will see that they are a representation of a family striving towards the holy family we are talking of.
“They want to be like the family of Christ. We are happy with them. We are happy with the celebration they did today and we will continue to pray for them asking God to give them the grace to live a good life.
Responding, the traditional ruler, Igwe Christopher Okwor, attributed his success in leadership to his people who he described as good followers.
He prayed for more development and progress in the community.
“My people are good followers. They find in me a good leader.
“My expectation for my people is for them to live according to the will of God. I pray that my people will have more peace and development.
“I wish that they have steady progress. With God on our side, we are hopeful good things will continue to happen. Those who are speaking of the crisis in my community are only being mischievous. You can see for yourself that there is absolute peace and tranquility here,” he said.
(NAN)