Heads of organisations across Egi Clan have drawn the attention of the Rivers State Government, security services and the state amnesty committee on the clandestine and subtle action being undertaken by self styled chiefs to cause another round of crises in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.
Rising from a general meeting held at its liaison office in Port Harcourt, the group leaders and that of the apex organisation, Egi Peoples Assembly (EPA), said after review of recent happenings, it has become pertinent to call the attention of the relevant authorities to take note and possibly stop those bent on fomenting trouble in the area.
The group, according to a communiqué, distributed to the press, said a group led by Chiefs London Nwobieye and Ikeagwu Akokwu installed one Victor Egbo Elenwa as the Eze-Egi (Eze-Ogbukwu III), when there is already government approved and gazetted Eze-Egi (Eze-Ogba Ukwu III) in person of Professor Anele Uzondu Nwokoma.
The communique alleged that the chiefs, their supporters and agents have been holding meetings trying to undermine all the legally constituted and respected authorities in Egi Clan, an action that could breed trouble.
It also alleged that the group has constituted an illegal organisation called Egi Clan Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs to make newspaper and several radio publications claiming that they have dissolved the Egi People’s Assembly, an apex organisation that co-ordinates and supervises the activities of other lawful bodies in the area.
“These actions, to say the least, are ridiculous and an abuse of tradition which should not be allowed to continue.
“It is expedite to state categorically that no individual or group of people or institution has the right or capacity to temper with EPA, a duly registered organisation”, the communiqué noted.
The communiqué, therefore, warned that any person, group and corporate organisation that deals with those self styled Chiefs and their agents on behalf of Egi people does so at their own risk.
Speaking to journalists later, the President-General of Egi People’s Assembly, Apostle Magnus Elemele, said a lot of resources and energy were invested by the organisation through working in synergy with Rivers State Amnesty Committee before peace was restored to the area.
“Now that our people are trying to return home, some individuals are hiding under the cloak of chieftaincy to cause another problem, we cannot allow that to happen. That is why we have to alert the state government,” he added.
The only Eze-Egi we know is Professor Nwokomah, who has been properly crowned, recognised and gazetted by government of Rivers State, any other person is a fake, he stated.