Nigerians For Good Government Policies    Nigeria Policy Institute, USA

For Immediate Release       

August 3, 2009

NPI USA CONDEMNS GOVERNOR OBI  ON ILLEGAL USE OF CARE -TAKER COMMITTEES  

The Executive Director of Nigeria Policy Institute, USA known for it’s good governance advocacy, Chief Jimmy Emmanuel Asiegbu has called on the governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi and his Commissioner, Dubem Obaze to desist from unnecessary and illegal intrusion into the administrative affairs of Anambra State autonomous Communities without being duly invited by the Town's Constituted Authorities.  

This is contained in a Press release signed by the Executive Director, Chief Jimmy Emmanuel Asiegbu, and Board members, Chief Sam Molokwu, Barrister Bob Eze. The Institute was reacting to the recent complaints and agitations concerning Peter Obi’s administration involving the appointment of a Caretaker Committee for Umuoji Town , Union   on June 23, 2009 , by  Commissioner Dubem Obaze without any consultation or discussions with the town’s constitutional authorities, such as the Igwe and his cabinet or the Town Union executives.  Similar intrusions have been reported to NPI-USA  involving  quite a number of Anambra State Communities and at each instance, it has caused further disunity and distrust within these communities. There have been allegations of monetary corruption against the Commissioner in each instance and intimidation of Community leaders.  

Since the complaint was made to NPI-USA through the Famous Internet forum, “Anambraforum”, we had expected Governor Obi to address this issue. To our amazement, we found out that the Government has continued to ignore the issue thereby necessitating NPI-USA to bring this issue to the public.  

The complaint from Umuoji Community in USA   sent to the Policy Institute states as follows:  

“COMMISSIONER OBAZE IS SETTING UMUOJI ON FIRE !!!  

Out of the blue on June 24, 2009, Umuoji community in Anambra State woke up to a rude shock:  Commissioner Dubem Obaze on June 23, 2009 (attachment 1), without any consultation or discussions with the town’s constitutional authorities appointed a Caretaker Committee for the Town Union (Umuoji Improvement Union) with a letter to the Igwe of Umuoji, Dr. Cyril N. Enweze “notifying” him of this action.  By so doing, Commissioner Obaze has introduced a disconcerting element of instability in an erstwhile peaceful community.  

Reactions from Umuojians have been swift:  

1. In his reply of June 25, 2009 (see attachment 2) the Igwe of Umuoji expressed dismay at this development, citing, among other things, the lack of consultation and the ongoing work which a G-20 Panel on the 2008/2009 Umuoji Town Union Elections was doing (see attachment 3).  As noted in attachment 3, this panel is making steady progress and is yet to complete each work.

2. In addition, the Chairmen and Secretaries of Ndi Ichie of Umuoji’s 4 (Four) Constitutional Quarters, in their note of June 26, 2009 (see attachment 4) decried the Commissioner’s actions and asked Governor Peter Obi to set up an independent panel to look into the Commissioner’s actions especially since the Commissioner himself, in February of this year, stated that Umuoji is at peace and does not need a Caretaker Committee.  Furthermore, the dispute regarding the Town Union Elections is before the Court which has scheduled a hearing for July 27, 2009 .

3. Two members of the Caretaker Committee appointed by the Commissioner (Dr. Victor Anyaegbunam and Chuks Ekpunobi) who have high integrity have refused to be part of Commissioner Obaze’s scheme to destabilize Umuoji and have refused to serve on the Caretaker Committee.  See for example Dr. Anyaegbunam’s letter (attachment 5; we will send you Chuks Ekpunobi’s note as soon as we receive it.)

4. The Igwe of Umuoji briefed a convention hall full of Umuoji indigenes in the North American Diaspora on these developments at their convention in the Washington/Baltimore area on July 4, 2009 .  The shock and dismay of the Convention was palpable!

5. Meanwhile busloads of Umuoji citizens at home went to Awka on Monday July 6, 2009 to protest the Commissioner’s actions.

6. The Lagos Branch of the Umuoji Union has also sent a note to our government at Awka expressing concern at these developments.  As soon as we lay our hands on a copy of this note we will send it to you.

Against this background one cannot help but ask why the Commissioner has decided to take his action which is inimical to peace in Umuoji; why he has decided to ignore the work of the G-20 Panel set up by the people themselves; why Governor Pete Obi’s administration, which is a child of the law, has decided to ignore the Court injunction which will be heard July 27, 2009.  It is better late than never and the Commissioner and the Governor will be well advised to rescind this action before it is too late.”  

 NPI-USA feels that Community problems have existed for years and had always been resolved by the Communities through the Constituted Town Union Authorities which are the Igwes, Igwes in Council and the Town Union Executives. Communities must be given opportunity to explore our traditional ways of solving our problems before  Government’s intervention. 

Government's intrusion is only necessary when there is uncontrollable violence or loss of lives and properties. Government assistance is equally necessary when the Town leadership and the Igwe agree to take the matter to the state governments if the  Local Government Administrator is unable to resolve the conflict. That is the way it is supposed to work. A situation where individuals in their communities take it upon themselves to boycott this process and use their friendship or connections with the State government to unduly invite Governments to intervene in their Community's problems is nothing but an abuse of power and disrespect for the Towns leadership and the Local Government Administration.  No government should be used for such egoistic and power-display  purposes, and we pray that His Excellency, Gov. Peter Obi does not continue to sanction such abuse of powers and due process by his administration. 

Government's uninvited  intervention in any Community dispute by unauthorized persons leading to usurpation of the administration of that Community by the government is nothing short of a coup de tat, or a declaration of a State of Emergency in that Town. It is tantamount to Federal Government of Nigeria imposing  a State of Emergency in Anambra State ,  and appointing an Administrator for 6 months, all because some connected Anambrarians have complained to and asked President Yar'Adua to  take over the administration of Anambra State due to some misunderstandings. The Constitution does not operate like that.  

We therefore condemn this behavior and call on Governor Peter Obi, to ensure that Umuoji Community’s case receives the highest attention and that this illegal and uninvited Government usurpation of Town Union administrations does not continue.  

There are some decisions that are inexcusable just as they are indefensible too. If it becomes a pattern, it further proves the presence of ulterior motives as well as ineptitude. There is always a minimum standard of expectation of a true Servant of the people. Extensive experience and knowledge of our traditions in Conflict Resolutions within Communities should be a requirement for that office.  In this day and age, Anambra State does not have time for Trial and Error decisions, just as we do not have need for those who  have tendencies for imposing autocratic and anti-societal policies / decisions on the people. The Governor should as a matter of urgency establish a standard, acceptable and mandated Conflict Resolution Procedures  for all Anambra Towns to avoid what is now becoming an abuse of power, imposition of autocracy and promotion of disunity among our Communities. We urge the governor to conduct local government election to allow Community problems be handled by the appropriate authority which is the Local government Chairman.

NPI-USA feels strongly that this unwarranted meddlesomeness in the affairs of Umuoji community in Idemili Local Government where safety and security of citizens have not been compromised is a blatant rape on democracy, due process and constitutional powers. We again call on Gov. Peter Obi to use his good offices as the Chief security officer of our State, to dissolve this caretaker committee and allow the constitutionally established G-20 panel set up by all Umuojians, to complete it work in a tranquil atmosphere.  

The People’s Servant,
Chief Jimmy E. Asiegbu                      BobEzeh                                  

Jimmy E. Asiegbu                                          Barrister  Bob Ezeh             

Executive Director                                 Board of Directors          

Tel. 310 497-5007                                        

Email: jasmak@usa.com    

                                                                SamMolokwu

                                                              Chief Sam Molokwu

                                                                 Board of Director                               

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