The Enugu State Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Friday, read the riot act to some natives of Ezinnese Mgbidi Community in Awgu Local Government Area of the state for countering the setting up of a town union caretaker committee for the community.
Some persons, under the umbrella of the Indigenous People of Ezinese Mgbidi Community, had in a radio announcement, called on Gov Peter Mbah to nullify the constituted caretaker committee of the town union of the community which was done by the ministry.
The group, in the announcement signed by Bonaventure Chukwu, Chairman, Ogwugwu unit; Emeka Ume, Elizabeth Eze, Women’s Leader, and Kenneth Anikwe, claimed that the members of the Caretaker Committee were not members of their respective village assemblies. They also alleged that the members were the same people who wrote the petition against the constitution of the community. The announcers further alleged that the ministry unilaterally appointed the members without consultations.
The ministry, in a release signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ifeoma A. Igwe, warned those behind the discrediting messages to desist from such act, or be made to face the full weight of the law.
She said the action of those behind the announcement was out of “their selfish ambition, misguided ego and unpatriotic disposition towards peace in their community”.
Quoting her, “The state’s 2004 Revised Law on Fund for Rural Development, cap 82, Subsection 26, gives the prerogative to the Hon Commissioner to constitute a Caretaker Committee, comprising such number of persons as the Commissioner may determine.
“The law also grants the members of the caretaker, so constituted, to carry out the functions or activities of the Town Union in the interest of the community. Anybody or group who obstructs or interferes with the activities of the Caretaker Committee in discharging their duties, collectively or as a unit, shall be guilty of an offence which attracts punishment of six months’ imprisonment.”
The ministry advised the public to be properly guided, and urged the natives of Ezinese Mgbidi to remain law-abiding, and report any unsuspicious movements aimed at disrupting their peace to appropriate authorities.
The natives were also advised to work with their Traditional Ruler, HRH Igwe P D. Uzochukwu, who earlier described those behind the announcement as “amorphous, non-existing, liars and deceivers who want to disrupt the peace of the community”.
The Royal Father, in the release, advised his people not to succumb to “the evil plans of those behind the announcement, but support the Caretaker Committee leaders set up by Deacon Okey Ogbodo, the Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs”.
The PRO added that, “The committee was constituted to avoid a vacuum in the community’s town union leadership that expired on the 5th of May, 2025.”