Tension in Ebonyi community

Tension now runs high in Ezza-Ezillo, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, following the insistence of Martin Elechi government in the state to relocate the villagers to Egu-Echara, a virgin location in the state. (Picture shows Chief Martin Elechi, Governor of Ebonyi state)

Governor Elechi had, in a radio phone in program in Unity FM and Ebonyi State Broadcasting Service (EBBS) respectively on May 28, reiterated his decision to forcefully relocate the people.

Governor Elechi had, last year, October, directed the relocation of Ezza-Ezillo people from their present location. The Ezillos and their brother Ezza-Ezillos have been at war over ownership of some portions of land in the community.

Solomon Ogbuewu Nwankwo, one of the leaders of Ezza-Ezillo, said it is Elechi’s insistence on evicting the people despite their plethora of petitions and appeals to that effect that has heightened tension among the people. The Ezza-Ezillos and their counsel have, over time, sent petitions to several quarters, including the Presidency and the Senate President, David Mark.

For instance, on October 23 last year, counsel to the community, petitioned President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua over the plot of Elechi government to forcefully displace his clients from their ancestral home. There have, also, been similar petitions from the community over the matter. One of the petitions to President Yar’Adua, dated March 23, 2009, was copied to the Senate President, Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, as well as Human Rights Commission.

Reacting to the said letter, Senate President Mark said that the petition has been referred to the Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government for further action.

Importantly, there is a pending suit over the matter, numbered HAB/21/2009 and filed on April 18, 2009 at the Ebonyi State High Court, Abakaliki. The suit, involving Chief Paul Ogbule and 3 others Vs Governor of Ebonyi State & 3 others, is challenging the state government’s resolution to relocate the Ezza-Ezillos to Egu-Echara. The suit asks the court to declare the directive as illegal and unconstitutional.

Ezza-Ezillos, further, allege that their people are not allowed access to their homes whereas there is free movement for their Ezillo counterparts. The people blame this harassment and intimidation on the new crop of soldiers drafted to the place recently from Garki Enugu.

“Whereas there is absolute movement of people in Ezillo, our women going out of our community are always obstructed by the soldiers. The soldiers often remind them of their fate, which is their imminent relocation. It is not fair. The soldiers who should be keeping peace in the area are taking sides, acting the scripts of the state government. People coming into our land have no access any longer. The situation is terrible,” the community laments.