Protesters from Nkata Ibeku in the Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday, stormed the House of Assembly to register their displeasure over alleged intimidation, harassment and dictatorship by an unnamed powerful community leader.
The protesters who brandished placards bearing different inscriptions, appealed to the Assembly to intervene in their plight and save them from the alleged dictatorial activities of the unnamed Nkata Ibeku community leader.
Led by Mrs Ifeyinwa Ezuruike and another community member, Sunday Ogbonna, they bemoaned that they had been under dictatorship and harassment for many years, noting that they had earlier visited the Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, to report.
The discloses that some of their indigenes were arrested in the past using security agencies on the orders of the said community leader.
They called for the immediate release of Mr. Silas Uchendu from detention and demanded a free and fair election in the community’s leadership contest.
“We demand that Nkata Community election should not be held in someone’s house. We demand for peaceful coexistence among our people. We need freedom in our community,” Ezuruike said.
Speaking to the Nkata protesters, the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa, promised that the Assembly would collaborate with other relevant government agencies in the State to put an end to the alleged constant intimidation and harassment of community members.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Austin Okezie Nmeregini, Emeruwa noted the matter would be investigated to protect the lives and property of the people as well as foster lasting peace in the Nkata Ibeku community.
He lauded them for the peaceful steps they took in registering their complaint.
