…as Ekwueme banned 13 Oko indigenes from community affairs over sabotage
By Ebere Suzy
The home town of the first Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme is on the news again as the community, yesterday suspended 13 indigenes who were allegedly accused of sabotaging the effort of the Oko community to effect non-renewal of the tenure of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu.
Announcing their suspension yesterday at his palace in Oko, the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe (Prof) Laz Ekwueme said the affected indigenes will be banned for life from participating in Oko community activities and associating with Oko people in any capacity from the ward, village and community level including the town union activities.
The suspended indigenes include: Messers Ebuka Okoli, Toochukwu Ezekafor, Justus Onyeagba, Jeremiah Nwafor, Chidiebere Nwamuo and Lazarus Okafor.
Others are: Barr. Sopulu Ezeonwuka, Sir. Ephraim Ofoma, Nze Goddy Okoli, Nze James Okoli, Chinedu Okeke, Ifeanyi Ejikeme and Nnamdi Ezeonwuka.
Igwe Laz Ekwueme further revealed that the affected indigenes will also be barred from attending funerals, marriages, weddings, meetings, handshake, greetings, buying and selling with other indigenes pending when they are cleared by the disciplinary committee also set up by the community, adding that, “any Oko indigene flouting this ban by associating or interacting with the suspended members, no matter the relationship, shall similarly be banned.”
Recall that the traditional ruler of Oko and Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s younger brother, Prof. Laz Ekwueme led other prominent sons and daughters of his community to protest, last week, t he alleged re-appointment of the rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu. The community insisted that Prof. Onu must not return as the rector of the polytechnic.
Similarly, the youth wing of the Oko peoples union on the same day protested in front of the Igwe’s palace against the position of the community on the call for rector’s removal.
Reacting on the suspension of the OPU members, the president General of Oko people’s union, Mr. Ike Nwammuo also alleged that the suspended members aligned with enemies of Oko people to malign the town while some youth leaders conduct themselves in manners that ridicule the authority and integrity of the OPU.
“All we are saying is that Prof. Onu should leave. His four years tenure has expired and these our members will remain suspended pending when they finish their interrogation with the panel” he said.
The seven man disciplinary committee has elder Christopher Obiaru as chairman and Mr. Moses I.K OKoye as secretary while other members include: Nwosu Ernest, Ichie Patrick Obidigbo, Dr. Ifeanyi Okafor, Sir. Clement Udoye and Ichie Gozie Ezeokoli.
A mild drama played out earlier as police clashed with the Monarch, igwe Laz Ekwueme. The police condoned off the Oko civic centre, the proposed venue of the meeting.
The indigenes who started trooping in the meeting venue as early as 6:am were barred from entering the hall. Igwe, on arrival defiled police orders by entering the hall followed by the men, women and youths of the community who attended the meeting.
The DPO, Ajali Police station, DPO. Hassan Musa explained that the state police commissioner, Usman Gwari ordered them not to allow any meeting hold in the area. The meeting was latter held and resolutions taken at Igwe’s palace in Oko.
Youths of the community latter protested shortly after the meeting with the Monarch, calling for immediate sack of the reactor, Prof. Onu. The youths carried placards of various inscriptions, some of which read, “Onu! Respect elders”, Onu! Go, your tenure has expired; Onu will know no peace”, Onu, Stop corrupting our youths, Onu, leave Oko alone among others.
