By joshua Land Dispute: Council boss moves to restore peace in Abakaliki community, suspends sale of lands
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
The Executive Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Chief Chidiebere Onyemaechi Alo, has intensified move to restore permanent peace in Ndiogbu Okpuitumo, Amegu Community, following a protracted dispute over land administration, village leadership, saying that selling and allocation of village lands remain suspended pending the resolution of the matter.
Alo convened a peace meeting on Friday with the contending parties, traditional rulers and other stakeholders at the council headquarters in Nkaliki, as part of moves to prevent the dispute from degenerating into violence.
The crisis reportedly involves the leadership of Ndiogbu Okpuitumo Village, headed by Mr Emmanuel Nkwuda Alike, and a group led by Mr Ogbonna Pius.
The group had accused the village leadership of indiscriminate sale and allocation of communal lands to individuals, a claim that prompted the aggrieved members to approach the Abakaliki Magistrate Court seeking to halt the alleged activities.
However, the village leadership denied the allegations, describing them as false and unfounded.
Following the development, Alo intervened and directed the parties to withdraw the court case and submit the dispute to the local government for mediation and resolution.
Speaking at the meeting, the chairman warned the parties against allowing the land dispute to undermine peace and development in the community.
“Selling of village land remains suspended. If you kill your brother over land, how do you think you will sell or live in such land?” Alo asked.
He further urged the parties to abandon confrontation and embrace dialogue, stressing that violence would ultimately affect all sides.
“Let’s try and shun anything that can cause crisis and ensure there is absolute peace. If there is crisis, you have nothing to gain; you will only be losing. If there is crisis, both parties will be affected,” he said.
Alo also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used to foment trouble, urging them to resist actions capable of escalating tension in the community.
He assured that his administration remained committed to resolving the dispute amicably and within the shortest possible time, while urging the parties to support the peace initiative of the state government.
“The administration of our dear Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, does not tolerate crisis. Anybody that is causing crisis can’t be spared,” the chairman warned.
The council boss further disclosed that a fact-finding committee had been constituted to investigate the leadership crisis and the various land-related issues at the centre of the disagreement.
According to him, the committee would critically examine the claims and circumstances surrounding the dispute to enable the council arrive at a fair and acceptable resolution.
He urged the villagers to cooperate with the committee and refrain from actions capable of frustrating the peace process.
Some villagers who spoke during the meeting commended the council chairman for intervening in the dispute, pledging to cooperate with the local government towards restoring unity and lasting peace in the community.