Oswald Agwu.
The people of Ibarakpo Community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State have petitioned Governor Nwifuru over what they described as inhuman treatment and gross exclusion of the people in political benefits.
Their concerns were contained in a letter signed by Iwuchukwu Alinchi, a son of the community, seeking the attention of the governor to address the alleged anomaly which has remained a source of worry to the people of the area.
Alinchi, in the letter, made available to newsmen, weekend, alleged that some prominent leaders of Ikwo local government area have deliberately conspired to continue to frustrate all efforts of the state Governor and the government in giving succour to the people, particularly in the distribution of political appointments assigned to the council area.
He alleged that recently, an illustrious son of the community, Silas Njaka, was nominated for an appointment as Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State.
The nomination which he said was spearheaded by Njaka’s group, members of Independent Oil Marketers, and approved by Governor Nwifuru, was however allegedly truncated by the political leaders of the local government area, leading to withdrawal of Njaka’s name few minutes to swearing-in.
Alinchi lamented: “We have been advocating, agitating, and protesting against the inhuman treatment being meted out to my people of Ibarakpo.
“Ibarakpo is made up of three villages namely, Agubata, Ekwunekwune and Odeligbo Amagu.
“These three villages are asking that they should be accommodated by Ikwo as a community; Ikwo as a local government and the Amagu as a political ward.
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“This appeal is coming now because we have lived to suffer humiliation in the hands of Ikwo leaders when it comes to benefitting or enjoying democracy dividend from government.
“Recently, Hon. Silas Njaka was nominated for an appointment as SA to the governor of Ebonyi State by members of the Independent Oil Marketers, Ebonyi Chapter.
“The nomination which came as a result of the confidence the association had in Hon. Njaka as their State Chairman, okayed by His Excellency Chief Ogbonna Nwifuru was thwarted by some so-called “big” politicians from Ikwo on the day of inauguration so much so that Hon. Njaka Silas was denied that position few minutes to his being sworn in.
“The flimsy excuse given was that Hon. Njaka did not work for APC and therefore would not reap where he did not sow.”
Alinchi who extolled the admirable qualities of Njaka said he has contributed so much towards the welfare and development of his community. He named some of the values Njaka has added to the community to include construction of culverts and bridges at vulnerable points across the villages, as well as classroom block in the community primary school.
While calling on his people not to allow the alleged ill- treatment bring disaffection in the local government area, Alinchi pleaded with Governor Nwifuru to come to their aid to ensure that they are adequately included in infrastructural and other socio- political benefits accruable to Ikwo local government area.
That, he said, would mitigate possible division among Ikwo people.
Njaka added: “This disappointment should not in anyway cause disaffection among ourselves but to remind us that injury to one is injury to all.
“I expect His Excellency Chief Ogbonna Nwifuru to see this cry as a call for Ikwo people to come together and build the place together.
“A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.”
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