Alor Development Union backs arrest of President-General of Alor Peoples Convention

Alor Development Union Lagos branch has given reason for the arrest and detention of the President-General of Alor People’s Convention, High Chief Emma Ojukwu.

The reason was contained in a statement signed by its Vice Chairman, Chief Hon. Chuka Uzodike and made available to CAPITAL POST on Wednesday in Abuja.

The President-General of Alor People’s Convention, High Chief Emma Ojukwu, was arrested by the Police on Saturday in Lagos.

However, a statement credited to one Chief Uzoma Igbonwa faulted the Police for alledged indiscriminate arrest of the President-General and further transfer of the same to Police headquarters in Abuja.

Chief Igbonwa had stated that Chief Ojukwu committed no offence that would warrant such arrest.

But in their reaction, Alor Development Union Lagos branch Vice Chairman, insist that the President General’s arrest was justified.

He said the gravity of his (President-General) action disrupted the peace in Alor.

Ugoabata also said Chief Ojukwu refused to honour several invitations by officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

In the statement, the Union revealed some of the alleged offences of the President-General. It reads, “Emma Ojukwu’s detention did not happen without cause. The arrest came after several ignored invitations by the police, reflecting a pattern of impunity and disregard for law and order. His tenure as President-General has been marked by actions that many believe have been detrimental to Alor, with the latest incident being particularly egregious.

“One of the most severe allegations against Ojukwu is his deployment of an unauthorized security outfit, the “Tiger Squad,” purportedly an extension of the notorious Ebubeagu security group. This group has allegedly caused significant unrest in Alor, with their actions culminating in a sacrilegious incident where they disrupted a burial rite conducted by a Catholic Reverend Father in Agbor Village, Alor by forcefully snatching a microphone from him.

“Emma Ojukwu ascended to his position through a harmonization process led by Alor’s critical stakeholders and the Anambra State Government ably represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs Chief Collins Nwabunne and accompanied by the President General of the Association of Anambra State Town Union (ASATU) Chief Titus Akpudo .This process involved other various dignitaries, including the then-Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

“Despite this, Ojukwu has reportedly failed to honor the agreements from the harmonization process. He has consistently refused to work with the government-certified traditional ruler, Igwe Mac-Anthony Chinedu Elibe Okonkwo, and others brought into office through the same process, including his vice President-General, Chief Nso Okafor.

“It is also recalled that an ad-hoc harmonization intervention committee, comprising prominent Alor stakeholders, including Sir Mallinson Ukatu, Chief Ogbuefi Alexander (Ifekanku Ugokanku), Chief Obinna Ugozu (Igwe Ndede), Chief Ossy Agbazue (Mmiri Alor), Evangelist Paul Onuora (Nwa Jesus), Chief Ejike Ufonna (Ifeabata Alor), and Chief Chijioke Uzokwe (Nkata Ukwu), held several meetings with the PG Chief Emma Ojukwu at an Ikoyi Lagos hotel.

“The committee aimed to persuade him to accept the state government’s decision on harmonization, specifically the nomination of a Vice President General and Secretary from the opposing camp. However, he rejected three suggested names and eventually accepted Chief Nso Okafor. Subsequently, the state government sent names of members to work with him as part of the Alor People’s Convention, but he has refused to work with the Vice PG despite the efforts, time, and resources invested in the meetings.

He has ignored the state government and the resolutions of the prominent Alor stakeholders.

“Emma Ojukwu, through his legal team, had Hon. Chris Okudo, former Alor Caretaker Committee PG, imprisoned on trumped-up charges in a case involving one of his predecessors, the late Barrister Agubalu, on May 28, 2024.

“The young man remains incarcerated, with his case file mysteriously missing, making it impossible to appeal the unjust court ruling. As of the time of filing this report, Hon. Okudo is still being held at Amawbia Prisons.

“Emma Ojukwu’s refusal to
recognize and collaborate with Igwe Okonkwo and his colleagues has undermined the unity and governance structure established through the harmonization. This has further deepened the crisis in Alor, leading to a breakdown in communication and cooperation within the community’s leadership”, he explained.

He said the arrest is a necessary step towards restoring peace and order in Alor.

The Union however urged all Alor residents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.