Biola  Azeez, writes on the events that led to the crises among the indigenes of Abriba, Abia State and highlights the efforts of the Governor Theodore Orji-led administration in ensuring the restoration of peace in the community.

ABRIBA is fondly called “small london” because of its economic prowess and its strategic location in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. The ancient town was, however, engulfed in a communal crisis which subsequently led to the removal of its traditional ruler.

After 11 years of forced exile over the communal imbroglio that trailed the enthronement of Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu as the Enachioken of Abriba, the state governor, Theodore Orji, on February 8, 2010, announced the reinstatement of the royal father, apparently to sooth the frayed nerves of the people of the community

To bring lasting peace to the crisis-ridden community, the governor had hosted a meeting of the different factions of stakeholders in the tussle, which had claimed many lives and property. He said at the meeting, held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, that it was part of the efforts of the state government to settle the problem once and for all.

Orji also directed that the Enachioken, who had been far away from his domain, to return to Abriba immediately, adding that his administration would back the return of peace to the community with necessary force, even if it takes the intervention of armed security to ensure safety of lives and property.

Meanwhile, amidst the apprehension of possible attacks from other factions in the tussle over the government’s measure, the governor warned that there should be no more killing or burning of houses in the area, assuring that the innocent sons and daughters of Abriba that were being unduly detained in police cells and prisons over the ugly development would soon be released.

He advised the people to go back to their various homes and make peace among themselves, warning that there should be no victor or vanquished in anyone’s opinion.

He said that the Abriba people were noted for their rich cultural heritage, which, he said, had stood the test of time, adding that he would not be a party to anything that would bring discord and disintegration to the community. He admonished the Enachioken to see all Abriba people as his subjects and to treat them with love, justice and fairness.

Also speaking, the reinstated monarch thanked the governor for the total return of peace in the community and appealed to all aggrieved persons to forgive and forget.

Earlier, an elder statesman and a renowned professor of Economics, Professor Anya O. Anya, thanked the governor for the peace initiative and requested that a progamme should be developed for the youths of the area to give them a future to look foward to.

Unfortunately though, the factions in the age-long tussle made nonsense of the governor’s peaceful intervention as series of protests against the monarch were carried out despite the armed security in the area. The ugly development made the traditional ruler refused to obey the government’s directive that he should return to his domain. It was that bad.

Women in Amaeke-Abriba community trekked about 10 kilometres in their hundreds to Ozu-Abam community in Arochukwu Local Government Area, their ancestral home, to protest the alleged imposition of the traditional ruler, Eze Ogbu, on them by the government and to seek refuge.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, their spokesperson, Mrs. Nnenna Ndukwo, said the women of Abriba community decided to trek the distance, as early as 5 a.m., to their ancestral home because the police stopped them from protesting in the town.

To some people in the state, the reinstatement of Eze Ogbu by Governor Orji was like opening fresh wounds. The government had thought that its decision to reinstate the traditional ruler would end the age-long battle, which had claimed many lives and property.

The state government thought it wise to invite law enforcement agents into the troubled community with the aim of maintaining law and order, but it appeared that the factions in the tussle felt different. Demonstrating the level of insecurity in the community, the reinstated traditional ruler had never returned to the community since the day Governor Orji gave the directive.

The women, who said the presence of police had escalated insecurity in the community rather than ushering in peace, added that the government should install the right person on the throne for peace to reign or they would take the protest to Abuja.

The community, which boasts of prominent industrialists, international businessmen and academics, has found it so hard to achieve peace for a long time. While a faction accused the government of being influenced by some elites, the elites however claimed they were out to ensure peace in  the area.

The alleged antics of some detractors notwithstanding, the state government went ahead to find ways to ensure that lasting peace returns to Abriba.

So, after eight years of intra-communal crisis leading to loss of lives and property, the people of Abriba have finally embraced peace and accepted the enthronement of Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu as the traditional ruler or Enachioken of the area.

To celebrate the new-found peace, a solemn assembly of thanksgiving of Abriba people for ‘Repentance, Reconciliation, Peace, Prosperity and Progress’ (RR-PPP), took place recently at the Abriba Akahaba Stadium, where thousands of Abriba people, including those in the diaspora, gathered to participate in the celebration.

Governor Orji, who facilitated the return of peace to Abriba despite stiff opposition from those opposed to the return of the Enachioken, was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Ogbogu of Abriba (one who settles disputes) at the Palace of the Enachioken before the commencement of the thanksgiving service.

Addressing a large crowd of indigenes of the area at the stadium, the governor reminded Abriba indigenes that there could be no progress in any community where peace had taken flight, hence, he emphasised the need for the people to sheathe their swords in the interest of the entire community.

The governor regretted that with the array of well educated, wealthy and prosperous persons in Abriba, it was unthinkable that the community would be embroiled in that form of crisis for such a long period of time over the tussle for the traditional stool of Enachioken.

“If God blesses you with intellect, use it to develop your community; if God blesses you with wealth and riches, use it to develop your community,” he said, advising that such values should be guarded jealously.

The governor advised those who still felt aggrieved to embrace peace and join the team of peace lovers, saying that Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu remains the rightful Enachioken of Abriba following his reinstatement on February 8, 2010 by the state government.

Speaking on the complaint by the people over the high number of indigenes of the area who are still in the police cells, the governor said that the contentious issue of those still in detention over the crisis would be resolved by identifying the innocent ones for an immediate release, while those who actually engaged in criminal activities, using the crisis as a guise, would not go unpunished.

The solemn assembly of thanksgiving was officiated by ministers of God who led the congregation in prayers of adoration and confession, prayers for peace,  security and progress in Abriba and for the restoration of prosperity in Abiriba.

Indeed, the hope of an average Abriba man is for a lasting peace to return to the community.