‘I’ve been pushed to the wall’ — Nwifuru sacks commissioners, traditional rulers over Ebonyi killings

Francis Nwifuru, governor of Ebonyi, has dissolved thepolitical and traditional leadership structures of the Amasiri clan in AfikpoLGA following the killing of three persons over a communal land dispute. Nwifuru sacked the officials on Sunday during a visit toOkporojo village in the Oso Edda community, where the victims were reportedlybeheaded, and another died from injuries sustained during the attack. The attack was allegedly carried out by persons from theNdukwe community in Amasiri, Afikpo LGA. Addressing residents, Nwifuru ordered the removal of alltraditional rulers in Amasiri and directed that their staff of office beretrieved. He also sacked all political appointees from the clan, includingcommissioners and other government officials. The governor said he had been pushed to the wall afterseveral attempts by the state government to mediate the conflict failed. “I am deeply saddened by this development. I never expectedthis kind of incident. It is quite unfortunate,” Nwifuru said. “As a leader, when you are very angry, you speak less. But Iwant to assure the people of the Okporojo autonomous community that thegovernment of Ebonyi State will show the perpetrators what it means tochallenge government authority. The lives lost will not be in vain.” He urged residents to remain calm, warning that thoseresponsible for the violence would be held accountable. “My visit here today will leave a very bold mark. By the endof today, you will see the outcome. As long as I remain governor, this kind ofrascality will not happen again,” he said. Nwifuru also expressed concern that the crisis had spreadfear to neighbouring communities, noting reports that the Akpoha communityblocked its roads over fears of a possible attack. “This matter did not start today. We have held severalmeetings, traced boundaries, and reached agreements, but it has now reached acritical point,” he added. “On this note, for now, the development union executives andall village leadership structures in Amasiri are hereby dissolved. Thetraditional ruler’s certificate is withdrawn. All government appointees fromAmasiri, from management committee members to commissioners, are hereby sacked. “All village heads in Amasiri autonomous communities areremoved. We will do more, and we will show everyone why we are the government.”

Read More