One of Aninri’s elitist group paid a courtesy visit to the chairman of local government area, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku.
Oduma Traders Association (OTA) visited Nwanjoku at the council’s headquarters yesterday, according to a statement from his Media Office.
“The apex association in … Aninri, Oduma Traders Association (OTA) Anambra State chapter paid a solidarity visit to the council Mayor Hon Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku. Among other things, the group thanked him for his outstanding performances so far across the council area,” the statement read in part.
Oduma Traders Association, which has championed philanthropy and community-based development projects in the town, also said that Prince Nwanjoku remains Governor Peter Mbah’s best choice, referred to the young leader as it’s “partner in the development of our town.”
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Right now OTA is eyeing one of its properties located at old Orie Oduma. The members wants to build hotel at the site so they would be needing help from the chairman.
However, the “help” they’re going be needing may be tricky.
Old Orie Oduma had been a subject of contention for more than 200 years. Forefathers of the two host communities, Amagu and Ameke, rocked horns in the past in several bloody wars as they dragged ownership.
Despite many efforts towards peace, including the direct mediation of former Transition Committee Chairman of Aninri, Uche Ogbonna, the conflict had lingered through generations. The Orie was burnt in a broad daylight of January 27, 2020, and so many people were killed. Then, the government took over the market and demolished it.
Among the affected structures was trading stores own by OTA. They were crushed and the land seized even though it was outside the original map of the market. The association was one of the unfortunate victims of the reckless conflict.
Its now more than five years, and a lot has changed. Sadly, OTA may not reclaim their property that easily.
Certainly, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku would penetrate vital state government agencies to arrange for support. But to navigate the dark labyrinth of emotions, arrogance and age-long prejudice inside the warring communities is the difficult part.
If OTA succeeds and builds new structure in the site, Amagu side of the Orie would immediately come to live. And Ameke, who have already established a thriving daily market very close to the contested land, knows this. It makes sense for them to fight to undermine OTA planned building, and that’s the likely step they’ll take.
Meanwhile, attempt to twist Ameke’s hands in a fight to justice would have another great disadvantages awaiting Prince Nwanjoku. For one thing, Ameke is one of the largest community in Oduma, with a lot of wealthy and influential billionaires. They also have enormous support across the sister communities in Oduma while Amagu is almost isolated.
If there is no other way to “help” OTA recover the land, the young politician would be wrecking his political future if he uses the government might.
Apart from him, its Amagu themselves who should seize this opportunity to amplify the injustice done to them by plodding OTA. Unfortunately, however, the community has been suffering the successive leadership of cowards for more than eight years.