Says Illegal Mining Activities, Security Concerns Reasons for Suspension
Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Executive Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Sunday Nwankwo, has stirred controversy with the suspension of the leadership of the Ekeawoke Community Development Association (ECDA), led by Dr. Irem Collins Okechukwu.
In response to allegations raised by the suspended ECDA leadership, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo while addressing the press on Sunday in Abakaliki, detailed security concerns as part of the reasons for the suspension.
He recalled incidents during the 2023 general elections and reports of arms movement, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of the council.
The Chairman who constituted caretaker committee to oversee the activities of the association during the investigation, stated his decision to suspend the ECDA leadership stems from allegations of security threats and illegal mining activities within the community.
According to him “along the line we begin to get reports of arms movement in the area, when we do things we are not looking at anybody we are looking at the entire society, when the report began to come again about arms movement, I called the councillor, I said councillor you are the chief security of that place please sniff around, talk to me so that we know what to do regarding that.
“Well he handled it to the extent he could do, but if you listen to him, he will say that he has things to say which he is not saying the way he ought to, at time he will tell you that the President is intimidating him, you know that kind of allegations and instead of bringing him to begin to subject him to what he don’t, I allowed the security agency to do their job.
“Along the line also , we also learnt that mining issues is becoming to cause crisis or create a situation of looming crisis, because I even heard from a meeting we had, that people are impersonating people, giving signatures in the name of mining. History tells me , sometime in 1986, a certain prominent man brought miners and it also inflamed the community.
“When you have history at your disposal, you don’t swallow it, you work to avoid the repetition of those things. Now even the councillor reported to me, that the said former president recruited four boys each in each villages who are working for him as miners, but each time you ask him, he will deny everything about it. I can’t be here and be ther, it is only security agencies that can unveil and confirm what is happening.
However, despite the denials from Dr. Irem Collins Okechukwu and his team , Barr. Sunday Nwankwo stands firm that the suspension is necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation by security agencies, he assured the suspended leadership that they will be recalled if found Innocent.
Responding to the allegations of personal interest in the traditional leadership of the community, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo refuted such claims and reiterated his commitment to upholding peace and stability within the community.
Adding “allegation that I have interest in the traditional ruler of the community is not correct but you know people must find something to hang unto, I have never ask them how they are doing it. If you check, it is under my watch in my administration that ikwo has produced the highest number of Eze Elect.
“And go back to time , I contribute to resolve preliminary issues, each time they want to rise, because for me, the people must bring out the people they want to represent them, I cannot be chairman, and be Eze”
He adviced his people to be law abiding and follow dues process at all time.
However, the ECDA leadership has criticized the Chairman’s actions, labeling them as politically motivated and lacking in proper procedure. Dr. Irem Collins Okechukwu expressed disappointment in the Chairman’s handling of the situation and emphasized efforts made by the ECDA to maintain peace and transparency within the community.
Furthermore, the legal adviser of the ECDA asserted that the Chairman’s purported dissolution of the ECDA Executive lacked basis and failed to adhere to principles of fair hearing. He emphasized that the ECDA leadership remains valid until due process is followed and proper evidence of wrongdoing is presented.
What we need in our community is nothing but peace, to me the Council Chairman supposed to invite our stake holders cum some of elites , to put hands on Deck and iron out something meaningful