From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The people of Effium autonomous community in Ohaukwu local governmnet area of Ebonyi State have rejected the demarcation of land and creation of autonomus community by Govenor Francis to non-native Ezza people in Effium.This was disclosed yesterday during a world press conference held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

President General of Effium Town Union, Agena James, who briefed journalists, said the renaming of parts of Effium land with non-native names and creating autonomous communities for the Ezza people undermines the authority of Effium traditional rulers and disrespects to their cultural identity. Agena said, “We welcome you all to this important press conference, convened on behalf of the Effium people under the aegis of the Effium Town Union. This gathering has become necessary in light of recent pronouncements and actions by the government of Ebonyi State regarding the Effium crises, which threaten the peace, unity and heritage of our community.”We, the Effium people, wish to categorically state our vehement opposition to the proposals announced by the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, regarding the demarcation of Effium land to cede a portion to the Ezza people.”These proposals, which also include the creation of two autonomous communities for the Ezza people, the renaming of the area to be ceded with a non-native name, and the reorganization and renaming of electoral wards, are provocative, unjust, and counterproductive to the ongoing peace efforts in our community”, he said.The Effium Town Union President, Agena James further disclosed the position and grievances of the Effium people.”Forceful Seizure of Effium Land; Effium land is the ancestral heritage of the Effium people. The Ezza people historically came to Effium as settlers, and their presence in our community does not grant them co-ownership of our land. The proposed demarcation and ceding of our land to the Ezza people amount to a forceful seizure of our ancestral land, which we will never accept. This action is unjust and undermines the sanctity of our heritage.”Rewarding Crisis and Violence. The Ezza people have been at the centre of the crisis in Effium, which has resulted in the loss of countless lives and properties worth billions of naira. By proposing to allocate land to the Ezza people and creating autonomous communities for them, the government is inadvertently rewarding them for orchestrating this crisis. This sets a dangerous precedent, as it signals that violence and aggression can be used to achieve political and territorial gains.”Neglect and Desecration of Traditional Institutions. Effium has a rich cultural and traditional heritage that has been safeguarded by our traditional institutions for centuries. The proposals by the Governor neglect and desecrate these institutions by disregarding the historical and cultural significance of Effium land. Renaming parts of our land with non-native names and creating autonomous communities for the Ezza people undermines the authority of our traditional rulers and disrespects our cultural identity.

“Counterproductive to Peace Efforts. The Governor’s proposals are counterintuitive to the ongoing peace efforts in Effium. They lack fairness, equity, and justice, which are essential ingredients for lasting peace. Rather than fostering reconciliation and harmony, these actions will create chaos, confusion, and exacerbate the crisis, leading to further instability and unrest.”Disruption of Political Structures. The reorganization and renaming of electoral wards as part of the proposed actions disrupt the political structure of Effium and alienate the Effium people. Such actions are provocative and will only deepen divisions within the community.He further made appeal to the governor to put a stop to the action.”On behalf of the Effium people, we make the following appeals to His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State: Halt the Proposed Actions: We urge the Governor to immediately halt the proposed demarcation of Effium land, the creation of autonomous communities for the Ezza people, and the reorganization and renaming of electoral wards.”Withhold Assent to the Bill: We appeal to the Governor to withhold assent to the bill passed by the State House of Assembly, which seeks to give legal effect to these proposals.”Conduct Wider Consultation: We call on the Governor to engage in broader consultations with all stakeholders, including representatives of the Effium people, the Ezza people, traditional rulers, and other settlers in the community. This public hearing will ensure that any resolution reached is fair, equitable, and sustainable.”Adopt Inclusive Peacebuilding Measures: We urge the government to prioritize inclusive peacebuilding measures that address the root causes of the crisis. Peace cannot be imposed through unilateral actions; it must be negotiated through dialogue, mutual understanding, and compromise.He said the people of Effium were committed to peace while calling on the international community for intervention.”The Effium people remain committed to peace, coexistence, and the development of our community. We believe that true peace can only be achieved through fairness, equity, and justice. We call on the government of Ebonyi State to act as an impartial mediator and work towards a resolution that respects the rights and heritage of all parties involved.”We also appeal to the global community, human rights organizations, and all well-meaning individuals to intervene in this matter and ensure that justice is upheld. The proposed actions by the Ebonyi State Government threaten to destabilize our community further and must be addressed with urgency”, he said.