By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A nonagenarian on Wednesday led the Ikenga Umueri Progressive Union of Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State on a protest over what he described as constant encroachment on their land by the neighboring Aguleri community.

He accused Aguleri of using the advantage of their son Willie Obiano’s position as the governor of the state to lord things over them.

The two communities had over the years been embroiled in wars that led to lose of lives and property worth millions of naira over land.

However, in an effort to bring sanity to the area, the State Government had in January instituted a panel to find immediate and remote causes of the lingering land disputes in the area as well as identify, determine and demarcate the boundaries between the two communities.

In his speech, the Chairman of Umuleri union, Frank Ibegbunam, said a certain resolution by some traditional rulers for peace in the area was rejected by the town as none of its members was part of the negotiations.

He urged the boundary committee and State Government to discountenance the resolution, even as he called on both state and federal governments to cause the implementation of a white paper and court judgement on the disputed area for lasting peace to return in the place.

Ibegbunam said: “This matter has been a torn in our flesh and torture to our brains. We can’t predict our peace as suspicion is rife. We had thought the governor who is almost right years in office would have addressed this matter.

“When the panel was set up, we were happy, thinking it would be fair and firm in view of the calibre of members. But we lost confidence in the process when politics came in.

“It’s unfortunate we’ve not got a government that has the will power to address this matter. Despite our documentary evidence to prove ownership of our property, our neighbours use game plan to change our identity.

“The implementation of the white paper will bring everlasting peace to both communities. Government should also beg our representative in the National Assembly and other money bags to stop causing problem between us.”

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