NO MORE WAR: IPUPE COMMUNITY EMBRACES PEACE

There seems to be  light at the end of the tunnel regarding the lingering crisis that has bedeviled the ipupe community over the sixty million naira paid to the community by the National Integrated Power Project as compensation to relocate the community's shrine in order to pave way for the power project which passed through the community.

The crisis, which has lasted for over twelve years  and characterized by litigations, had led to the conviction of HRH Eze Bob Chima Ubiaru, the Aji Ukwu I of Ipupe Autonomous Community by both High Court of Abia State and Court of Appeal, Owerri

Even on the death of HRH, the crisis  has persisted as both proponents  and opponents of HRH have disintegrated the leadership  of the community into two factions, each claiming to be the authentic one. There has been accusations and counter accusations of embezzlement,  resulting to series of police and court cases 

The two factions agreed to sheath their swords following the intervention  of U.I.U executive led by Elder Friday Ogbuehi in conjunction with some traditional rulers, clergymen and village heads.

At the meeting held on 4th January. 2023, which had in attendance representatives of both factions, Elder Friday Ogbuehi and his U.I.U executive, HRH Eze (Dr) C.A Ucheaga, the Enyi II of Laguru Autonomous Community,  HRH Eze Ebere Ubani, the Akuma Ukwu III of Mgbarakuma Autonomous Community, Rev. J.B Nwogu, Chief J.O Nwogu and Elder Ejike Nwoko,  it was resolved that the leadership of the two factions  i.e Pastor Ben A David and Apostle Shedrack Peterson be dissolved and a caretaker committee, assigned with the responsibility of proffering a permanent solution to the crisis was inaugurated. The chairman of the caretaker committee is Sir Rapheal Nwabuko.  Other members include Godwin Solomon, Secretary, Daniel Orji, Enoch Chigbu and Humphrey Odemelam.

The committee whose tenure will elapse by Easter 2023, was given the following  terms of reference

a) They should ensure that there is peaceful co existence within the community

b) They should take steps to ensure that all court cases are withdrawn and settled

c) They should  ensure that the Ipupe Development union election is conducted according to the Ipupe Autonomous Community constitution on or before Easter. 2023

e) That all monies belonging to Ipupe should be left untouched forthwith

f) That the issue of Ezeship should be placed on hold until a new executive is sworn in

g) The committee should look into legitimate debts to both parties 

Cross sections of ipupe people who spoke to Ubscope, welcome  the peace initiative and hoped that the out come of the January 4th meeting would  finally put to rest to the 12 year old strife. They called on the warring factions to bury the hatchet and  collaborate to move the community forward

Madam Ossiogu who lamented that it was ipupe community that lost out in the protracted wrangle, as all the monies both the one paid to HRH and the ones recovered from him by his opponents after his conviction, were wasted on litigations. She therefore called on them to close ranks and initiate  actions and measures that would promote peace, unity and cooperation between them.

 "i implored all the parties concerned to consider the development as end of  all strife within the community and to note that that the crisis has dragged the community backward for several years. and now that peace is gradually being restored, a way must be fashioned to recover the wasted years. Both the pro and anti Eze should close ranks and work hand in gloves with members of the caretaker committee towards achieving a lasting peace in Ipupe community. They should initiate actions and measures that would promote peace, unity and cooperation between them. We must embrace peace and unity to achieve growth." she said

Meanwhile the  caretaker committee has swung into action. The steps already taken towards ensuring sustenance of peace in the community are outlined as follows:

a) Youth and home conference executives on both sides dissolved. The community now has one youth and home conference body under the leadership of Samuel Chikwendu and Elder Okechukwu Ubani respectively The committee however retain the already existing Women wing, Regent/Council and Traditional Prime Minster/Council.

b) Going into all Ipupe assets particularly Okata  farmlamd to harvest or carry out construction work banned

c) Plan to present anyone as Eze elect in this time of crisis also banned

d) kick Starting the process of withdrawal of cases from courts and police

e) commencing the process of effecting  signatories change of account of both factions

f) The chairman of the committee advised that all affairs of ipupe community must be done through the leadership of the caretaker committee so as to put everyone on the same page

g) He promised to conduct a free and fair election that would produce credible and acceptable leaders

It is his  hope and prayer  that this peace initiative would come to fruition as he put it " God Almighty who started this good work in Ipupe will finish it. The rewards of peace  shall be ours and the glory shall be ascribed to God Almighty.

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