THE UMUIHUOCHA INTERMEDIATE COMMITTEE CONTROVERSY: A CHRONICLE OF EVENTS

Formation of the Umuihuocha Intermediate Committee (UIC)

In adherence to the customs and developmental framework of Umuihuocha Autonomous Community, the Traditional Prime Minister (TPM), Chief Magnus Okoro, in collaboration with the Umuihuocha Development Union (UDU), initiated the Umuihuocha Intermediate Committee (UIC). This committee was envisioned as a neutral mediator to foster peace, resolve disputes, and uphold constitutional order within the community.

However, concerns quickly emerged regarding the legitimacy of the committee’s formation, the selection of representatives, and potential manipulations surrounding the leadership succession process.

Emerging Concerns Over the Legitimacy of the Committee

What was initially perceived as a unifying step soon became a subject of controversy. High Chief Dandy Canice Orji and others who had submitted nominees for the committee discovered that the original list had been altered without consultation.

Key concerns included:

The removal of two representatives initially submitted, reducing fair representation.
The inclusion of more than 20 individuals, including priests, in contrast to the agreed format of four representatives per faction.
The formation of a separate "Peace and Intervention Committee" by the TPM, composed of individuals from only one side of the dispute.

This lack of transparency fueled suspicions of manipulation and bias, leading many to question:

Who authorized the changes to the committee list?
Was Chief Dandy consulted before these alterations?
Was the new committee designed to serve a hidden agenda?

Manipulative Tactics and Rejection by Aladimma

As the controversy deepened, reports surfaced that certain members of the so-called majority faction were conducting village-to-village persuasion efforts, attempting to manipulate community elders (Aladimma) into endorsing a predetermined succession plan.

However, the leadership of Aladimma Umuebejileme saw through these tactics and rejected the attempts at manipulation, reaffirming their stance that:

The Constitution remains supreme over personal agreements.
Leadership and governance must follow due process, not coercion.

The Debate Over Religious Involvement

Another significant point of contention was the involvement of Catholic priests in the mediation process.

High Chief Dandy C. Orji questioned why religious figures, who should primarily offer prayers for peace, were actively participating in governance disputes.
Some community members defended the priests' inclusion, arguing that their role could help ensure justice, equity, and fairness.
Others countered that if Catholic priests were involved, then indigenous pastors and traditional spiritual leaders (dibias) should also be included to maintain religious balance.
A stronger position was later taken, suggesting that traditional deities such as Oparaodu and Amadioha should be invoked, as external religious influences had diluted the cultural and customary practices of Umuihuocha.

This division highlighted a broader clash between modern religious influences and traditional spiritual heritage in resolving community matters.

The Call for Transparency and Due Process

The formation of a separate Peace and Intervention Committee by the TPM, parallel to the UIC, raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the mediation process:

Was this new committee designed to override the UIC and push a biased agenda?
Why were certain committee members also involved in the persuasion efforts among community elders?
Was the entire peace process being hijacked for the benefit of a select few?

Community voices, including Comrade Uchechukwu Wisdom O., began demanding full transparency, calling for:

A review of the UIC nomination process to ensure fairness.
An end to coercion and manipulation in the leadership selection process.
Accountability from the TPM and UDU regarding their true intentions.

A Push for Silence: The 40-Day Reflection Period

In response to escalating tensions, some community members proposed a 40-day period of peace, reflection, and fasting as a means to foster unity.

However, many viewed this proposal with skepticism, suspecting that it was:

A deliberate strategy to suppress valid concerns, allowing those with hidden agendas to continue working in the shadows.
A means for certain religious factions to solidify control while portraying themselves as morally superior.

One outspoken community member remarked:

"The ones attending morning mass daily and praying at the Blessed Sacrament every evening are the same ones orchestrating this injustice. Invoking Amadioha and Oparaodu Umuihuocha may be the only way forward."

This sentiment captured the growing frustration with the use of religious authority to justify or overlook governance injustices.

The Call for Constitutional Order

The primary demand from concerned community members remains clear:

The Umuihuocha Constitution must be the guiding principle in all leadership and succession matters.
No group should impose leadership through manipulation, coercion, or personal influence.
The nomination process for the UIC must be reviewed to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
No individual or faction should assume unchecked authority over community affairs.

As Comrade Uchechukwu Wisdom O. emphasized:

"Justice, transparency, and constitutional order must take precedence over propaganda and intimidation. The will of the people is determined by the constitution, not by those who shout the loudest."

Awaiting Resolution

The dispute over the Umuihuocha Intermediate Committee (UIC), the Peace and Intervention Committee, and the broader leadership struggle remains unresolved.

While efforts toward dialogue and reconciliation continue, there is growing resistance against any attempt to impose leadership without following constitutional processes.

The question remains: Will Umuihuocha’s leaders prioritize true justice and unity over personal interests?

Until then, the people stand firm on one principle:

The Constitution is Supreme.

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