#Warn detractors
Women of Ihie autonomous community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has staged a peaceful protest over alleged plot by some highly placed individuals in the community and local government to assault the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Gabriel Okoro.
The women also warned against the reported attempts to desecrate the sacred traditional institution in their community by the group and individuals.
The warning is coming on the heels of an alleged plot to defile the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze Gabriel Uzoma Okoro, the Odu II of Ihie Autonomous community by some hoodlums being sponsored by certain highly placed individuals in the local government and community.
It would be recalled that the chairman of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Emmanuel Ajah, had last week announced a ban on all forms of public gatherings in Ihie Autonomous Community alleging rising cases of insecurity in the area of which has rather been very peaceful.
In the media reports and public service announcements ,the Council Boss had informed that the five-day ban on public gatherings would last between 26 to 30 of September 2024, the same period the community planned to hold it's annual New Yam festival, claiming it was to safeguard lives and properties of the community.
However, following the quick intervention of the State Governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, the ban which was targeted at stopping the New Yam festival celebration of the community and also coronations of some illustrious sons of the community and Ishiagu in general was graciously lifted and the event successfully held.
The protesting women in their 50s, 60s and some above 70s who bore various placards and chanted solidarity songs from strategic parts of the community to the Eze's palace warned those sponsoring the crisis in the area to desist from such act and support the reign of Odu II as the people-loved traditional ruler of Odu II of Ihie Autonomous community.
The placards which read; "Do not TOUCH or harm our ODU II", "There's no crises in Ihie", "Chairman, Emmanuel Ajah (of Ivo LGA) stop inciting crises in Ihie Community", among others were strategically displayed by the protesting women.
While reaffirming their support and loyalty to the reign of the Odu II, the women also used the medium to extoll the traditional ruler for the peace and unity he had maintained since he came on board as the Odu II of Ihie Autonomous community.
Speaking on their behalf, one of their leaders, Mrs. Philomena Ngozi expressed joy over the peaceful and successful organization of the New Yam festival events.
"I thank the Eze for his numerous achievements which among others include: the construction of Afikpo road farmland with seven concrete Bridges with his personal resources, maintenance of peace, law and order and observance of the people's culture and traditions among others."
She called on those instigating crises to refrain from such behaviour, noting that their own time shall come.
Addressing the women on behalf of the Traditional Ruler, a native Obuegu Ihie, High Chief Gilbert Okoro thanked the Governor and other relevant stakeholders for their interventions and particularly for prevailing on the Council Chairman to reverse his media announcements of a ban on public gathering during the New Yam festival events.
He also joined in further plea on the Governor to call those behind the dastardly attempt to desecrate their sacred traditional institution to order.
"Ihie Autonomous community has been very peaceful until certain individuals wanted to impose themselves on the community as town union leaders against the wishes of the majority of the people. Since they were stopped, they have been troubling our community. They even planned to hold their own New Yam festival separate from that of the community. Do communities hold different New Yam festivals?, he queried.
Okoro added, "But we stopped them through an understanding with the government. Till now, they have continued to dish out threats to our peace-loving people of Ihie Community and our Eze in particular. In fact, we heard that they are planning to sponsor some women to come and urinate on the Eze and the palace. We ask them to stop any evil plans against our Traditional Ruler because our community loves and respect him". Ends.
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