By CHARLES IWUOHA

A community known as Umuchima Eweze Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Friday ostracized one of their kinsmen, Chief Nicholas Odii.

The people alleged and accused Odii for parading himself as President-General of the community who has been working against the interest of the Area.

The community has been without a king for 23 years.

According to the community, the President General and some political office holders in the Area have been making clandestine moves to impose a traditional ruler on them contrary to the constitution of the community.

In a joint statement signed by Sunday Chukwu, the President-General United Umuchima Community General Assembly, Chief Cyracus Okoro, National Vice President, United Umuchima Community General Assembly, Ezenwa James, Secretary General of the General Assembly and seven other leaders of the Assembly and read before journalists in the community, the people who Assembled in their town hall in their large numbers, argued that it was their turn to produce the next traditional ruler of the community.

They accused Odii of working with some selfish politicians in the community to pave way for a candidate of their choice for the Kingship position.

"Nicholas Odii is not a native of Umuchima community. He is not resident in any part of Umuchima nor have any evidence that proves his birth or adoption a native of Umuchima.

"As a result of this unacceptable development, Nicholas Odii has been ostracized and declared persona non grata by the leadership and the entire people of United Umuchima community", the people stated.

The people explained that Eweze Uburu Autonomous Community comprises Umuadaeze community, Umumkpuma community, Umuanebonu community, Umuogo community and Ihenu community with each of the communities occupying different geopolitical zones and harbouring different kindred who are all residents.

"In addition, Umuadaeze community, Umumkpuma community, Umuanebonu community and Umuogo community made up of about 90 percent of total population of Eweze-Uburu Autonomous Community and each of these communities seniors Ihenu community.

"Whereas certain individual who are fueling trouble in Eweze-Uburu Autonomous Community are aware of the provisions of the law, yet they blatantly set such a side.

"Most importantly, in line with the provision of Eweze-Uburu Autonomous Community Constitution which states that the Constitution shall be amended after five years, and it is the President General that has powers to constitute or set up Constitution Reviewing Committee, the assignment which was willingly and conspicuously carried out by Vincent Obinna Akpa, the President General of Eweze-Uburu Autonomous Community on 13th January, 2013 and Chief Vincent Obinna Akpa who set up Constitution Reviewing Committee on the above mentioned date remained the President General of the Autonomous Community since 1999 till date.

"It is worthy to note that Umumkpuma community which is second in seniority among all the communities produced a traditional ruler for the Autonomous Community who was unanimously accepted but the former governor, David Umahi refused to give him staff of office till his death in January 2023.

"Sequel to this, other communities in Eweze-Uburu agreed that Umumkpuma should produce another candidate for Ezeship stool since the other one was not formally and officially recognized till his death, and has been done. And for power balancing, Ihenu community retains the office of the President General", the people said.

The people called on Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene into the Kingship tussle to prevent breakdown of law and other

They warned politicians in the community against interfering in the affairs of the community, adding that the politicians have perfected plans to take over Umuchima salt lake in the community for their selfish gains.

Update news