OGWASHI-UKU/Nigeria: The people of Azungwu Community of Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, have appealed to the state government to come to their aid in settling the chieftaincy title issue that had been generating crisis in the area.
They made the appeal during a peaceful protest at Ogwashi-Uku, the administrative headquarters of the area.
The protest which was carried out by the men, women, youths, elders, including the chief priest of the community, witnessed a large turnout of the people, carrying placards, singing and dancing war songs round the town.
Mr Nweke Odafe, the Onu Odafe of Ogwashi-Uku, who spoke on behalf of the people , said that the person currently conferred with the Odogwu title was not the right person to occupy the position, adding that he was foisted on the people.
While assuring the peaceful disposition of the people of Azungwu, he said that the only condition that would stop the crisis in the area was the immediate removal of the wrongly installed Odogwu of Ogwashi-Uku.
He said that the Odogwu title belonged to the people of Azungwu and that they were in a better position to know the rightful person to occupy the position as custom and tradition demanded.
Comrade Tony Nwaduba, Chief Iloba Obata, Comrade Emmanuel Nwani and many other youths, who spoke to newsmen during the protest, said that they would continue to ensure that Azungwu remained one indivisible family as it was from inception, adding that no external person could disorganise the existing unity of purpose among the people of the area.
They said Azungwu land was not for sale and that peace and unity was their watch word, adding that the said chieftaincy imposition and forceful acquisition of land belonging to the Azungwu Community had negatively impacted on the peaceful co- existence that was known for centuries among the people in the area.
