Rep Eugene Dibiagwu(APC-Imo) has called on the Niger-Delta people to eschew acts capable of promoting crisis in the region.
Dibiagwu, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Ministry of Niger- Delta Affairs, gave the advice while addressing the people of Aborshi Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo
The lawmaker, representing Ohaji- Egbema/ Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency, said that peaceful conduct by Nigerians, especially those from the oil bearing communities, was important for the stabilisation to the nation’s economy.
He said he was happy over the peaceful conduct of Aborshi Izombe community on the move by some individuals to secretly select a new traditional ruler after the death of their former traditional ruler, Eze Pius Muforo.
Dibiagwu decried the move by some individuals who secretly forwarded documents to Oguta Local Government authorities and the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to the effect that Aborshi people had selected another traditional ruler.
Dibiagwu said such persons did not want peace in the area.
According to him, Izombe, as oil bearing community, is strategic to Imo and Nigeria and anything that may cause crisis in the community must be checked.
He congratulated members of the eight-man traditional ruler selection committee headed by Mr Valentine Muforo and called on them to render flawless service to the community.
Earlier, Mr Joe Nnadi, the President General of Aborshi Progressive Union had inaugurated the committee after a motion for its appointment was moved and seconded by Chief Ifeanyi Uchegbu and Mr Canice Ozor respectively.
Nnadi said the inauguration of the committee followed the completion of the burial rites to the first traditional ruler of the community, Muforo.
He, however, condemned what he described as inordinate ambition by some individuals who went secretly to present documents to the Oguta authorities and the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters that Aborshi people had selected another traditional ruler.
The community leader enjoined the committee to be open and thorough so as to avoid any form of complaints.
An America- based Software engineer, Mr Ramey Muforo, the first son of the deceased traditional ruler, and Chief Francis Dibiagwu, a former commissioner in Imo, also stressed the need for peace in the area.
The duo condemned the clandestine move by some individuals to present documents that the community had selected another traditional ruler.
Some of the individuals linked to the fake arrangement including Emeka Nnadi, Loginus Nwaurunwa, Patrick Mboyi and Henry Ihezurunwoke denied involvements in the process towards the selection of another traditional ruler in the community.
“It was about three days ago that I learned that my name was among those who took part in electing one Chief Marcus Nnanna as the Abor ii of Aborshi.
“When I got the information, I went and confronted Chief Peter Kalu from Ndiukuegbu, my chiefdom, on why my name should be used for such evil act knowing quite well that I was not part of the absurd activities,’’ Nnadi said.
Nnadi washed his hands off such evil arrangements, saying he was on the path of peace in Aborshi and Izombe clan.
Valentine Muforo , the Chairman of the Committee, in his acceptance speech, thanked the community for the confidence reposed in the members and assured that they would do a good job.
Other members of the committee are Chief Marcellenus Ogbodo, Chief K.C Obizue, Chief Thaddeus Nwachukwu, Mr Solomon Azubuike, Mr Ifechukwu Uchendu ,
Also in the committee are Mr Boniface Iheukwumere and Mr Ihejirika Chidi, who is to serve as the secretary.(NAN)
