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Security concerns was why i suspended ECDA ex-boss, Okechukwu – Nwankwo

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The Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, Sunday Nwankwo has explained that Security concerns was the reason why he suspended the former leadership of the Ekeawoke Community Development Association, ECDA, led by Irem Collins Okechukwu.

Recall that the ECDA leadership, led by Okechukwu had raised the allegation that their suspension was illegal and that they were not given fair hearing by the Ikwo council chairman, Nwankwo before pronouncing the suspension.

Nwankwo who briefed newsmen in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi state at the weekend, said that security concerns was part of the reasons for the suspension of the former ECDA leadership.

He said that there are reports of arms movement, especially during the last 2023 general elections, and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of the council.

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The Chairman, Nwankwo who constituted caretaker committee to oversee the activities of the association during the investigation, stated that the decision to suspend the ECDA leadership stems from allegations of security threats and illegal mining activities within the community.

According to him “Along the line we begin to get reports of arms movement in the area, when we do things we are not looking at anybody we are looking at the entire society, when the report began to come again about arms movement, I called the councillor, I said councillor you are the chief security of that place please sniff around, talk to me so that we know what to do regarding that.

“Well he handled it to the extent he could do, but if you listen to him, he will say that he has things to say which he is not saying the way he ought to, at time he will tell you that the President is intimidating him, you know that kind of allegations and instead of bringing him to begin to subject him to what he don’t, I allowed the security agency to do their job.

“Along the line also , we also learnt that mining issues is becoming to cause crisis or create a situation of looming crisis, because I even heard from a meeting we had, that people are impersonating people, giving signatures in the name of mining. History tells me , sometime in 1986, a certain prominent man brought miners and it also inflamed the community.

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“When you have history at your disposal, you don’t swallow it, you work to avoid the repetition of those things. Now even the councillor reported to me, that the said former president recruited four boys each in each villages who are working for him as miners, but each time you ask him, he will deny everything about it. I can’t be here and be their, it is only security agencies that can unveil and confirm what is happening.

However, despite the denials from Irem Collins Okechukwu and his team, Sunday Nwankwo stands firm that the suspension is necessary to facilitate a thorough investigation by security agencies, he assured the suspended leadership that they will be recalled if found Innocent.

Responding to the allegations of personal interest in the traditional leadership of the community, Barr. Sunday Nwankwo refuted such claims and reiterated his commitment to upholding peace and stability within the community.

Adding “allegation that I have interest in the traditional ruler of the community is not correct but you know people must find something to hang unto, I have never ask them how they are doing it. If you check, it is under my watch in my administration that ikwo has produced the highest number of Eze Elect.

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“And go back to time , I contribute to resolve preliminary issues, each time they want to rise, because for me, the people must bring out the people they want to represent them, I cannot be chairman, and be Eze”

He adviced his people to be law abiding and follow dues process at all time.

The ECDA leadership has criticized the Chairman’s actions, labeling them as politically motivated and lacking in proper procedure.

Irem Collins Okechukwu expressed disappointment in the Chairman’s handling of the situation and emphasized efforts made by the ECDA to maintain peace and transparency within the community.

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The legal adviser of the ECDA asserted that the Chairman’s purported dissolution of the ECDA Executive lacked basis and failed to adhere to principles of fair hearing.

He emphasized that the ECDA leadership remains valid until due process is followed and proper evidence of wrongdoing is presented.

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