By Gabriel Chy Alonta
A former President-General of Isuaniocha in Awka North local government area of Anambra state, Chief Tony Onyeagolum, has urged the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludu to thoroughly screen individuals he intends to appoint as aides.
Chief Onyeagolum, who spoke to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra state capital, said appointment of questionable individuals would only constitute a clog in the wheel of his administration.
The former president-general was speaking against the backdrop of the recent appointment of One Mr. Cosmos Okonkwor as Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters “despite the fact that he had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police cast doubt on the general belief that the new administration means well for the people”.
According to Onyeagolum, such a personality alongside others who were allegedly declared wanted for causing atrocities in Isuaniocha is not in the best interest of the people that they be given appointments when their crimes and actions were still being investigated.
He recalled that the former administration of Governor Willie Obiano had set up a Panel to investigate the remote cause of the incessant crises in the community, and wondered why persons identified as players in the matter would become advisers or a commissioner to Governor Soludo.
Chief Onyeagolu then called on the government to always run a background check on the characters of persons he appoint into his administration especially security to avoid bringing people who will be working against his noble ideas and manifesto.
While allegedly fingering one Chikodi Anara for being part of those instigating trouble in Isuaniocha, the former president-general pleaded with the governor to urgently look into the matter so peace returns back to the community. He recalled that the crisis in the town started in 2018 and would have been resolved if not for some persons working inside the government and using their influence to cause trouble in various communities in Awka North.
“Isuaniocha case started in 2018 when some few elements including the ones now appointed as Advisers started selling Community Secondary School Isuaniocha land. Under my watch as the President General, I opposed it and that led to my removal. They connived with the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to remove me without even hearing my own side of the story.
“Isuaniocha people elected me as their President General in May 2017, and I was removed
on December 7, 2018 by the same set of people. Even after my removal, another PG came on board, they also sacked him, molested him, and destroyed his property. This is the same set of people who don’t want peace in my Community doing all this”, he alleged.
Chief Onyeagolu seized the opportunity to draw the attention of the new administration to the fact that a Security Vehicle earlier given to the local vigilante group in the town had been impounded by Defunct SARS and Parked at Awkuzu Command, while enjoining the state government to give another security vehicle to the community.
He, therefore, called on the government to set up an independent panel that will visit the area, interact with the people with a view to bringing a lasting solution and peace to the “fast-developing” town, which, he said, was part of the state capital.
Contacted, the Commissioner for HomeLand Affairs, Mr. Chikodi Anara, who was accused of causing crisis and unrest in Isuaniocha, said via a phone text message that he was not aware of any crisis; adding that he is a native of Amanuke in Awka-North local government area of the state.
“Which crisis? I don’t know about any crisis in Isuaniocha. I am from Amanuke, not from Isuaniocha. What stupid thinking is that? What joy or advantage will I derive from supporting the crisis in any community in Anambra state? I am the Commissioner for Home Land Affairs after completing an eight year tenure as Special Adviser on Security and my job is to ensure peace and fight crime and criminalities”, the text message reads.
Meanwhile several phone calls and a text message put across to Chief Cosmos Okonkwor to defend the allegation by Chief Tony Onyeagolum that he is a Security Adviser to Governor Soludo on security despite being on the Police wanted list, proved abortive as he did not respond to the calls or text message.