Umuawulu Community Faces Leadership and Land Dispute Crisis, Peace Group Seeks Soludo’s Intervention

Tensions are escalating in Umuawulu town, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as the Awulu Peace Ambassadors, a recognized pressure group, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene in alleged unconstitutional leadership practices and a brewing land dispute that could plunge the community into chaos.

In a Pre-Action Notice addressed to the town’s leadership on Sunday, the group, chaired by Mbanefo Oranye and legally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, voiced its concerns through its legal representative, Okwudili Alagbu. The letter was directed to the President General of Umuawulu, Christopher Ekweozor, and the town’s Traditional Ruler, while copies were forwarded to the Anambra State Government.

According to the group, Umuawulu’s governance structure has been operating without a properly constituted cabinet, raising fears of mismanagement and injustice. Traditionally, the town’s leadership is expected to include representatives from its three quarters to ensure balanced decision-making. However, the Peace Ambassadors allege that the current administration is dominated by hand-picked individuals who fail to promote peace and development.

"For the past year, the town’s youth have been demanding constitutional leadership to avert a total breakdown of law and order," the group stated in the letter.

Adding to the crisis is a long-standing land dispute between the Enugu and Umuenu quarters. The group warned that if left unresolved, the situation could spiral out of control, potentially igniting violent confrontations.

Intervention Promised But Not Delivered

The Awulu Peace Ambassadors recalled that the late former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Aford Oseke, who hailed from Umuawulu, had promised to mediate in the leadership controversy. He reportedly assured the Anambra State Government that he would engage the town’s leaders to address allegations of power misuse. However, following his demise, the problem has resurfaced with even greater intensity.

“With the death of the former deputy speaker, the issue of alleged unconstitutional leadership has resurfaced,” the group lamented.

Youths Face Alleged Oppression for Speaking Up

Another grave concern raised by the group is the alleged oppression of youths who have spoken out against the administration. Reports suggest that several young people have been arrested on questionable charges after voicing their dissatisfaction with the town’s governance.

The group particularly cited the case of Chibuzor Nwakaji, the youth leader of the Agbana quarter, who was allegedly detained on trumped-up accusations.

“Our investigations revealed that our community’s leadership has been unfair to our youths. Some have been arrested for alleged crimes simply for speaking up against injustices in the area,” the group asserted.

They further alleged that those who question the leadership’s authority are frequently labeled as terrorists and kidnappers in an attempt to silence opposition.

The issue has drawn the attention of the Anambra State Commissioner of Police and the state’s deputy speaker, who have reportedly been alerted to the threats to the liberty of Umuawulu’s young residents.

A Final Plea Before Legal Action

Given the growing tensions, the Awulu Peace Ambassadors have urged Governor Soludo to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the leadership crisis and land dispute before the situation escalates further.

The group warned that if the town’s leadership continues with what it described as highhandedness beyond the next 30 days, it would have no choice but to seek redress in court.

“Umuawulu is boiling, and the governor must step in immediately to prevent the crisis from worsening,” the letter concluded.

With the growing unrest, all eyes are now on the Anambra State Government to see whether it will intervene to restore peace and order in Umuawulu before tensions erupt into full-blown conflict.