Tension has enveloped Amankanu in Amurri, Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State as the women and youths of the community have risen against their President General, Nwabueze Chukwu Okoh over his prolonged stay in office amidst allegations of embezzlement and diversion of their funds.
The protesters that gathered at community primary school, Obeagu on Thursday morning, said they’re tired of their PG who they accused, assumed office since 2012 and rather than step aside for a proper election, wants to install his loyalist as hi replacement.
One of the protesting youths, Johnpaul Agu said “Since Mr. Okoh and his colleagues assumed office, our community has been on a standstill. After our election in 2012, there has been no other election. Whatever the government brings is diverted.
“All the palliatives by the state government don’t get to us and we say no to illegal town union and enough is enough! We appeal to Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, the commissioner for local government, chieftaincy affairs and rural development, Deacon Okey Ogbodo to come to our aid because we have suffered enough and we reject the move to install one of them as our next PG.
“They’ve many cases of corruption to answer, ranging from the #16.5 million from LEEMP and the #10million from the administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.”
Another youth leader, Nnaemeka Joel said the current leadership is “oppressing us and insisting that the person we don’t want must be our next PG even when the people are saying no that the person has a questionable character, they’ve refused to call for any meeting.”
One of the protesting women, Christiana Okonkwo said the current leadership has not benefited the community and they’ve achieved nothing for the longtime they have occupied office.
“I’m a daughter of the land and if this is how leadership is done, let nothing like them befall our community again!”
When contacted, Mr. Okoh denied the allegation and said that the protesters wants to destabilize their community.
The PG said the allegation of embezzlement is false because the community couldn’t access the fund because their traditional ruler intentionally refused to sign the necessary document which was required to get the money from the government.
Commenting on his alleged overstay in office (not in 2012), he said he came into office after a protracted legal battle and two commissioners of the ministries in charge monitored his two elections, adding that he has also notified the ministry in December 2023, that his tenure has ended and that they’re ready for new election.
They also urged the state government to please constitute a caretaker committee to oversee the activities of the Town Union pending when the government will have time to conduct a proper election that all of them will participate in.
The protesters carried different placards with inscriptions like; “Town Union is tenure by tenure not a lifetime appointment.” “Nwabueze Okoh where is the 10m Gburugburu gave each community.” “Nwabueze Chukwu Okoh we need account of your 16yrs in office or did you use our money for your cow business.”
