……..As PG Insists, No Cause For Alarm
By Pamela Eboh
Palpable fear has allegedly gripped the people of Oba, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State following death threats from a South African based son of the community, Afamefuna Egwuenu, a.k.a. Afam Japanga.
The death threat which was recorded had warned that heads will role if the youths, the rich and some Igweship candidates frustrate the smooth conduct of Igwe Ezeokpoko 11 election in the community.
The voice record read in part, “The youths don’t allow yourselves to be corrupted because I heard you collected #7million from one of the candidates for Igweship election.
“This is somebody I do not know how he emerged as Ezeigbo in Lagos. If you allow one Ukadike that is out to destroy Oba, to use you, then wait for the catastrophe from me that will befall you, this is not boasting, as I said so shall it be.
“I am not interested in my property in Oba, I can set my house ablaze to tell you that I am serious and not losing anything in Oba, those who doubt my threat because I want peaceful conduct of Igweship election in Oba, let them try me and see. If Njubigbo fails during the screening for the Ezeokpoko 11 election, he should go home and rest, any one who doubts my threat let’s see how it goes. Njubigbo and Ukadike want to destroy Oba.
The threatenining voice of Egwuenu has been circulated in most of the platforms of Oba people, has made some indigenes to demand action from the President General, (PG) of Oba Patriotic Union, OPU, Chief Anthony Uzor Ejiofor, while security agencies have been briefed.
They called on the PG not to feign ignorant of the threat, saying that he is the Admin of more than two Oba community platforms where the voice note was circulated.
While naming some of the platforms to include, Oba Progressive Union, (OPU) executive platform and Oba Ezugo platform, the people recalled that the situation in Oba is worsened by Egwuenu’s claim of being responsible for the Ozubulu church massacre that killed over fifty morning mass attendees sone years ego.
When contacted, the PG told journalists that h does not known the South African based son of the community and wondered why those he described as enemies of the community did not link him up to Egwuenu.
He said, “Some people may have brought him to the limelight. Afam did not just come out, circumstances in Oba invited him and he’s coming during Okuzu Oba village election for Igweship. How come Afam started mentioning Ukadike’s name and why did he ask him to steer clear of the venue of the election. I don’t know Afam.
“On the 18th June as we were about to commence screening of the four Igweship candidates at Nkwo Civic centre, the Oba Youth President, Hon. Ebuka Ochudo, rushed and turned the tables upside down and scattered the entire thing, saying that there will not be screening for the Igweship election and I learnt that Afam was not happy the stoppage and warned the Youth president to stay clear of the venue.
“I think the threat may have his way of warning the Youth president that his might is stronger than his.
“Ebuka Ochudo may have been sponsored to do what he did.”
He further said that the chairman of Idemili South local government Area, Hon. Amaka Obi, on learning of the issue has wade in by inviting some stakeholders of the community to profer lasting solution to the fracas, adding that there is no cause for alarm.
