In a show of resilience and solidarity, women of Ihie Autonomous Community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, have staged a peaceful protest, accusing the Ivo Council Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ajah, of stirring unrest in their community. The women allege that Hon. Ajah has been involved in covert efforts to create a crisis in Ihie, with claims of sponsoring hoodlums to undermine the community’s stability.
A major grievance raised by the women was the alleged plan by the council chairman and his associates to desecrate the palace of His Royal Highness, Eze Gabriel Uzoma Okoro, the revered Odu II of Ihie. Reports suggest that these plots involve an attempt to defile the sacred traditional institution, a move seen as an affront to the community’s cultural heritage and stability.
This protest follows Hon. Ajah’s controversial decision last week to impose a five-day ban on public gatherings in Ihie, citing insecurity. The ban, which coincided with the community’s annual New Yam festival, was widely perceived as a deliberate attempt to thwart the festival and undermine the leadership of Eze Gabriel Okoro. The restriction was, however, lifted following the intervention of Ebonyi State Governor, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, allowing the New Yam festival to proceed successfully.
The women, some in their 50s, 60s, and even in their 70s, gathered in large numbers, marching through strategic parts of the community and chanting solidarity songs. They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Do not touch or harm our Odu II,” “Chairman, Emmanuel Ajah, stop inciting crises in Ihie Community,” and “There’s no crisis in Ihie.” Their message was clear: Hon. Ajah and those allegedly behind the unrest must desist from destabilizing the peace-loving community.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Philomena Ngozi expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler, Eze Gabriel Okoro, for his leadership and unwavering commitment to the peace and development of Ihie. She praised the Eze’s numerous contributions to the community, including the construction of Afikpo Road farmland bridges, using his personal resources, and maintaining law and order.
High Chief Gilbert Okoro, a native of Obuegu Ihie, who spoke on behalf of the traditional ruler, expressed appreciation to the Ebonyi State Governor for his swift intervention. He noted that peace had always reigned in Ihie until a few individuals sought to impose themselves as town union leaders against the community’s will, leading to the current tensions.
He further warned against any attempts to desecrate the traditional institution, revealing that plans had been made by some mischief-makers to insult the Eze and the palace in a bid to undermine his authority. “We ask them to stop any evil plans against our traditional ruler because our community loves and respects him,” Okoro stated.
The protest has drawn attention to the escalating tensions in the area and the alleged role of Hon. Emmanuel Ajah in perpetuating the unrest. The women’s peaceful demonstration serves as a powerful reminder of the community’s desire for peace and unity, calling on all stakeholders to support the leadership of the Odu II for the continued progress of Ihie Autonomous Community.
