The Ogwashi-Uku Town Union (OTU) has strongly condemned the so-called communiqué issued by a faction of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), describing the group as “expired, criminally compromised, and completely without authority to speak for the people of Ogwashi-Uku.”
In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, OTU executives said the ODA communiqué was “a desperate attempt by self-serving individuals to incite unrest after years of betrayal and land racketeering.”
“The ODA has no capacity within Ogwashi-Uku. Traditional authority in our kingdom rests with His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, and members of the Obi-in-Council who are the recognized community chiefs. None of these chiefs or any lawful representatives of the people participated in this nonsensical communiqué or the purported town hall meeting,” the OTU said.
The Town Union noted that many of those who signed the ODA communiqué are facing serious criminal charges. According to the OTU, “Two of their key advisers — the so-called Secretary-General, Mazi Eluemuno Adigwe, and their Legal Adviser, Barrister Francis Okolie — are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court, Asaba, for terrorism after leading an armed attack on the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku at his Palace two years ago.” The OTU added that two other ODA executives face murder charges and that one person linked to the group was recently convicted at the Federal High Court, Asaba.
“These are the same people who presided over the fraudulent sale of hundreds of acres of Ogwashi-Uku land worth hundreds of millions of naira — land that rightfully belongs to the kingdom,” an OTU official added.
“The funds from those illegal sales were paid through the personal account of Barrister Francis Okolie. Now that the Obi has lawfully recovered these lands through court-backed processes, they are crying foul and trying to mislead the public.”
The Town Union reminded the public that the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association has long lost relevance, having spent years fighting the traditional ruler and supporting separatist elements in Otulu and Olodu-Ogwashi who attempted to balkanize the kingdom.
“They never protested when land was being sold fraudulently, nor when these separatists declared autonomy. It is only now, when the Obi has recovered the land for the rightful owners, that they are pretending to be defenders of the people,” the statement continued.
The OTU warned that the timing and tone of the ODA communiqué are dangerously provocative: Ogwashi-Uku is entering its sacred Ineh (New Yam) Festival — a time of thanksgiving, peace and unity.
OTU executives said the ODA has previously endorsed parallel Ineh festivals and supported actions that led to attacks on the traditional ruler.
“We will hold anyone from the ODA personally and collectively responsible if they attempt to disrupt this sacred period or inflame communal tensions. Any attempt to disturb the peace during the Ineh Festival will be firmly resisted by the people of Ogwashi-Uku,” the Town Union declared.
Drawing a parallel with the biblical story of Solomon and the harlots, the OTU said: “Like the false mother who wanted the baby divided, these people prefer to destroy the kingdom because they have failed in their ambitions.”
The OTU announced plans to formally declare the ODA leadership persona non grata in Ogwashi-Uku, warning them to desist from acts capable of causing communal crisis.
“Ogwashi-Uku people see through their deceit. They have done absolutely nothing good for this community. Their time is over — they are expired cargo that belong in the dustbin of history,” the OTU executives said.
