Monarch Alleges Plan To Burn His Palace

Igwe of Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area, Igwe Ben Emeka, has alleged that some persons in the community plan to burn down his palace over a leadership dispute.
Emeka told newsmen in his palace yesterday that the President-General of  Umueri General Assembly,Chief Pius Okonkwo, and others planned to execute the plan.
He alleged that Okonkwo and his group had made an attempt to carry out the plan before but were repelled by security personnel.
“Okonkwo was impeached on April 27 of this year by the community but he attempted to hold Umueri General Assembly meeting and was prevented.
“Thereafter, he commissioned some hoodlums to come and burn down my palace but they were repelled by security operatives,” Emeka said.
The traditional ruler traced the crisis to the president-general’s refusal to abide by the peace agreement signed by both of them and urged the state government to act fast to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
“After this matter was reported to the state government, the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters brokered peace and we agreed that the president- general should set up an electoral committee, audit committee and should not dissolve any existing committees.
“Knowing quite well that his tenure will end by December, he refused to abide by the provisions of the agreement and rather chose to promote acts capable of igniting crisis,” Emeka said.