From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
In times of acrimony and hostilities, frowned faces, anger and cold war become the order of the day. But in peacetime, love, laughter and smiles take over, bringing progress and development.
The second scenario aptly describes the situation in Aji community, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Touted to be the heartbeat of Enugu-Ezike out of the over 40 other communities, Aji community parades people of intimidating profiles whose voices count in all spheres of life. Aji people were the toast and envy of their neighbouring communities because of their united and communal spirit in tackling any external aggression and other issues until the devil struck and the community folks literally obeyed the biblical call of “To your tents, oh Israel.”
In the Second Republic, division set in and efforts made to bridge the gap failed. The town was polarized between the defunct Aji Welfare Association (AWA) and Aji Progressive Union (APU).
As the years rolled by, the political blocks continued to widen in their division and disagreements to the extent that the community borehole built by the Irish missionaries in the early 50s popularly known as Engine Aji was left to go moribund owing to lack of unity on how to run it.
The crisis escalated to the extent that at a time, there emerged parallel security outfits that took orders and counter-orders from their different masters. The traditional institution of elders known as Onyishi-in-Council was also affected as some people refused taking instructions from the Elders-in-Council.
The town union which was supposed to be another powerful administrative organ was destabilized and the community couldn’t form a consensus on how to organize a proper election thereby losing out in many goodies that were supposed to accrue from the government to the people.
It was literarily a situation where everybody became kings in their own family and issued orders without taking recourse or minding the powers of the other person or household. In the ensuing confusion and disorderliness spanning many years, insecurity crept in and at a stage, there emerged a deadly group who operated like the defunct Bakassi Boys in Igbo land.
The group armed itself with machetes and was maiming marked individuals in their homes at the dead of the night. Though they were later crushed, their victims still live with the scars of the past till today.
It was within this same period that some yet-to-be identified killers on the night of September 28, 2014, stormed the home of a widow, Cecelia Ijah, murdered her and threw her lifeless body in a water tank. Cecelia lived alone since all her children had left home in search of greener pastures and her death shook the entire village particularly, the womenfolk.
The village women unable to stomach the situation and for the fear of their own lives decided to revolt. Led by the then Chairperson of the Catholic Women Organisation, Mrs. Esther Ezeja, the women ran to the home of Rev. Sister Martina Oforka, an Anambra-born mystic nun who resided at Umuagabedo Agu Amachala community for assistance.
Sister Martina has been in the forefront of leading a crusade and revolution against series of suspected ritual killings that pervaded some communities in Enugu-Ezike. She did not hesitate in responding to the cries of the Aji women who reasoned that they were no longer safe unless something drastic was done.
The women with Sister Martina began a peaceful match to the homes of all the prominent persons and gladiators in Aji, urging them to take action, come together in unity and fight evil so as to end impunity and disputes in the community.
That was the genesis of the road to peace in Aji that on November 21, 2014, after a stakeholders’ meeting, Aji Peace Committee was constituted with Valentine Ossai as chairman. Other members were Omeke Anthony, Dominic Urama, Ali Simeon, Nichodemus Eze, the then Parish Priest of Immaculate Heart Parish, Aji, Rev. Fr. Anene Onah, Sister Martina Oforka and 15 representatives of the Catholic Women Organisation. They were charged to initiate moves that would bring lasting peace to the community.
They swung into action immediately and apart from organizing a successful burial for the late Cecilia Ijah on June 19, 2015, they toiled day and night to reconcile other aggrieved individuals, families, groups and institutions.
Ossai said the committee’s terms of reference were daunting. They were asked to reconcile all cases in Aji community and form a town union. He commended Rev. Fr. Onah and Rev. Sister Oforka for being vessels that brought about the needed peace:
“When I was contacted, it seemed impossible, but when I heard the voice of our heroes past, I had no choice than to obey the clarion call of my beloved community. All the matters that were cumbersome abinitio became easy. We went to court and withdrew all cases from Aji and resolved them amicably with both parties having a win-win situation.”
The committee not only handled about 13 serious cases in the community, but also succeeded in uniting the parallel security in Aji and forming a town union after so many years without one. On December 29, 2016, a 10-man town union executive was elected in accordance with the constitution of Aji People’s Union.
In the election, Ichie Sylvester Ayogu was elected the president; Kelvin Ayogu, vice president 1; Jonathan Apeh, vice president 11; Ichie Mathew Eze, general secretary; James Odo, treasurer; Mathew Eze, financial secretary; Ichie John Odo, PRO; Michael Ugwuanyi, provost 1; Eugene Agbedo, provost 11; and Isaac Okoro, assistant general secretary.
Inauguration of the town union executives recently by the Enugu State Commissioner for Rural Development, Chief Gabriel Onuzurike, at the Central School Field, Aji, was the climax of the peace initiative. It was a carnival of sort and the assemblage of brothers and sisters who crisis had made foes for many years.
All age groups in the community and the elders despite their frail state were in attendance. It was also a day that few individuals who wanted to scuttle the peace moves were disgraced and made to remain silent.
Onuzurike had called out the registrar in charge of town unions in the ministry, Mrs Amaka Chime, who announced to the shock of the entire community that the ministry received a petition signed by four indigenes of Aji, saying that they alleged that the peace in Aji was a fluke and there was no election of town union.
The commissioner said Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi being a peace loving man wanted dialogue and peace to reign in every community hence the reason they operated an open door policy. He called on the petitioners to be brave enough to come out in the midst of the entire community to substantiate their claims, but surprisingly, none of them were seen within the vicinity.
He then threw the floor open for any dissenting voice to raise objections to the election and the peace process, but none also raised voice or hand against the moves. Like the style in the legislative chambers, he announced that since there was no dissenting voice, that the ayes have it to the thundering applause of the entire congregation.
Describing town unions as catalysts for development, the commissioner advised the newly elected executives to work together for the interest of the community. He charged them to partner with the government so that the Aji community could also benefit from the various government projects and programmes.
Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Council, Comrade Uwakwe Ezeja, recalled several times he visited Aji to ensure that peace reigns and thanked all who allowed the peace to prosper. He expressed delight over the Ugwuanyi’s administration stance in allowing dialogue to reign over imposition.
The traditional ruler of Aji community, Igwe Simeon Osisi Itodo, who expressed gratitude for the wind of positive change blowing in the community publicly disowned those who are opposed to the peace pact in the community. He said he remained committed to peace, saying that those still fanning the embers of discord would be welcomed back if they turn a new leaf.
David Atigwe, former deputy speaker, State House of Assembly, said with the formation of a democratically elected town union, all ingredients of democracy from the grassroots should begin to function. He said that the customary courts, neighbourhood watch and other instruments of justice should be utilized henceforth instead of rushing to the police and higher courts for adjudication.
He commended Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu for championing the constitution review which he said would recognize the government organs at the grassroots.
The former Chairman of the PDP, Enugu North Zone, Chief Mike Ejinima, noted that the Aji community used to be a pace-setter, pointing out that something happened that led to the set back. He said that the time is now to reclaim that position, noting that the town union executives have a lot to do in that regard, adding that with the support of the entire community they would succeed.
Chairman of Enugu State Rural Electrification Board (ENREB), Simon Atigwe, who the peace committee recognized for playing an enviable role in the peace process described the situation as a positive step forward and towards the achievement of the community goals which include peace, unity and development. He described the inauguration of the town union as the end of rancour in the community and finally appealed to aggrieved individuals to sheathe their sword and embrace peace.
Ayogu in his vote of thanks appreciated all who God used to bring the much needed peace. He promised not to betray the confidence reposed in them and expressed the goodwill of the community to the governor who he assured of the support of the people, both in his present administration and next term in office.