Amuda traditional stool was in existence before creation of Ezza North LGA in 1996, Amuda Autonomous Community Reacts

Amuda Autonomous Community has come out to condemn in its entirety, the falsehood being spread by a group under the aegis of Ezza Ezekuna Consultative Assembly.

This was made known to newsmen in Abakaliki recently, where the National Congress of the community, stressed that the press release by Ezza Ezekuna consultative forum, were they described the Emeritus Bishop Michael Okoro led peace panel on Effium/Ezza Effium crisis, as a recipe for trouble, is not only misleading, but insulting to say the least, as the press release they gave out are all lies, fallacies, and misguided misrepresention of historical facts. 

For the records, Amuda Autonomy they said and has been there for centuries and decades even before the creation of Ezza North LGA in 1996, with its traditional stool well established.

They in turn thanked Bishop Emeritus Michael Nnachi Okoro led panel, it's secretary and members for their wisdom driven report to the state government, they also thanked the executive governor of Ebonyi state, His Excellency Rt Hon Blder Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru for looking at the affairs of Ebonyians. 

Below is the full text of the press release.

AMUDA NATIONAL CONGRESS

A PRESS RELEASE OF AMUDA NATIONAL CONGRESS, VIS A VIS

THE PRESS BRIEFING BY EZZA EZEKUNA CONSULTATIVE

ASSEMBLY, THIS DAY THE 26TH DAY OF APRIL, 2024 AT

ABAKALIKI EBONYI STATE CAPITAL.

Re: A press briefing of Ezza Ezekuna Consultative Forum on

behalf of Ezza Effium people. 

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Greetings

to you all.

In this all important press release, our intention is not joining issues with

anybody rather an attempt not to join issues with our good neighbours of

Umuezeoka, Umuezeokoha and indeed the good people of Ezza nation, it

is with this intent that, we of Amuda

Autonomous Community in Ezza North Local Government Area saw it as an obligation to set the records straights to correct the lies, the fallacies, the misguided, misrepresented

historical facts presented at the press briefing of 23rd March 2024. Theme:

‘the Emeritus Bishop Michael Okoro led Peace Panel on Effium/Ezza Effium crisis, a recipe for another apartheid regime in 21st Century’ by some ill informed persons of Ezza Effium under the cover of Ezza Ezekuna

consultative forum wherefrom Amuda Community in Ezza North Local

Government was referenced and to debunk those claims.

The reference made of Amuda Autonomous Community in Ezza North Local Government Area as a case study here is in the first place uncalled for, as it is provocative, malicious, mischievous, and damaging; the blatant

lies presented as facts in the briefing are construed to cause dis affection and hatred among the good people of Ezza North Local Government Area

and to belittled Amuda Autonomous Community. All men of good will especially Ezza North should condemn and disregard those blatant lies.

1. Amuda known as Idzem people whose progenitor was Izekwe Ibo and spouse Ogba, after much sojourn as it was of old in the

migration process reached and settled at Idezm Echa by Amuda forest of Eke Idzem and Afor Idzem markets; establishing the

surrounding villages with his four sons namely: Ojolokpa, Buolung,

Buora and Amoso and later descendants. Though most of Amuda

lands are now land of occupation by dominant race. Ezekunna on the other hand with his spouse Anyigor settled at Onueke Ezza South Local Government Area and established the

surrounding villages with his twelve sons of Umuezeokoha,

Umuezeoka, Orizor, Eka, Ogboji, Umuoghara etc.

It is a known fact that, through mutual contact and friendship, these

two tribes had a cordial relationship and the migration of these two

tribes’ descendants to other places took place centuries later.

2. In the advent of the white man and his inherent colonialism in the 18th century, Amuda (Idzem) and Ezza Ezekuna were in Ezzikwo Division of Ogoja and Abakaliki province of Eastern region through

early 19th century to independence of Nigeria in 1960. At the unified

local government reforms of 1976 and creation of Ezza Local

Government Area in 1976, Amuda were with Ezzas and even all

these while she was accorded a political ward both in the former

East Central States and old Anambra State.

It may interest you to know that it was in Ezza North local government area crated in 1996 alongside Ebonyi State

that Amuda community being still a political ward for over fifty years was in 1998 merged with a far away autonomous

community Amawula as one political ward. This is the act of these evil and mischief makers who deceived the military administration to commit this injustice. The still pertinent

question yet unanswered is as Amuda community not grown since the colonial days till date as not to have been

allowed her old political ward or more created of her’?? Ladies and Gentlemen, the judgement is yours.

3. These ignorant and mischief makers are at it again! Why should

somebody if knowledgeable and educated enough bring Amuda Idzem up here as a case study in Effium/Ezza Effium crisis? It is

ridiculous and embarrassing.

Amuda’s Autonomy and traditional stool has been there for centuries

and decades before the creation of Ezza North Local Government

Area in 1996. It is categorical that no fellow ethnic group makes or gives another autonomy or traditional stool. It is rather an

administrative or political authority through constitutional or extra constitutional instruments that makes a community autonomous

and recognizes traditional stool and by extension gives political

wards. Amuda had Olung (the Traditional leader and chief) from old as

follows:

(1) Olung Oda Egbe (where name Amuda was taken)

(2) Olung Edjem Ekeke

(3) Olung Odah Oko

(4) Olung Iguta Egbe

(5) Olung Okonwe Idogwu and

(6) Olong Onwe Elechi (recognized by Milad

Col.John Atom Kpera of

East Central State in 1976).

(7) HRH Ezeogo Joseph Igwe Onwe: Eze Udo (Olung Idzem) 

The present Traditional Ruler installed and recognized by Ebonyi

State government in 2004. Note: non of these former Olung Idzem (traditional rulers) served a tenure of less than three decades and this amount to centuries and decades ago. From the above, it can be seen that the autonomy and

the traditional stool of Amuda predates Ezza North L.G.A. and that

the Ezza North Local Government Area is of two tribes, Ezzas in the

majority while Amuda is in the minority.

As for the nomenclature “Ezza North local government area”,

Anambra community of Anam by Anambra river was adopted as a

name for Anambra State and they did not claim the sole ownership

of the state and land because of their name while Enugu Ngwo was

adopted as a name of Enugu State and its capital which Ebonyi State formerly belong and Enugu or Ngwo did not claim sole ownership of the state and land, Nsukka to Nkanu to Aninri Awgu, even Abakaliki claim to be Enugu persons then etc.

Here in Ebonyi State when the name of Ishielu Community was used

for the present Ohaukwu local government area, they did not claim

sole ownership of the local government and the land thereof or is

their insinuation suggesting Ishielu community in Ohaukwu L.G.A. should go and claim ownership of the present Ishielu L.G.A. and land thereof because of the use of their name?? examples abound. Ebonyi people lets give peace a chance.

4. We of Amuda community therefore call on the Ezza Effium to be

focused on sorting out their issues with the native Effium Community, listening to Ebonyi State government and leave Amuda community and her people alone as we are magnanimous, tolerant, accommodating and peace loving people but not out of fear.

5. Though facts, Archives, history both oral and written attest

that Orrin tribes are the first settlers in Abakaliki which Amuda Idzem is inclusive before other tribal immigrants

came in their large numbers and dispersed Orrin to their present places of settlement which Amuda Idzem is

inclusive but and, in all these their places Orrin are always magnanimous, accommodating and peaceful.

As this is not pure academic endeavour all references shall

be deferred to another day. Nevertheless, we are one people of God and Ebonyi State

but if ever any would venture into history it would be great,

it is kept straight and balanced. Let us talk more on what

would unite us and less of what would divide us.

6. We want to thank and appreciate the Emeritus Bishop Michael

Nnachi Okoro led Peace Panel, the Secretary and Members for their

wisdom driven report to Ebonyi State Government on the Effium/Ezza Effium Crisis for lasting peace. We say thanks once more.

We also want to sincerely thank and appreciate the effort of His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Blder Francis

Ogbonnaya Nwifuru in his effort to restoring enduring peace in Effium community and indeed Ebonyi State. His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis

Ogbonnaya Nwifuru the governor has proved beyond rhetoric, ‘the

peoples charter of Needs’ and that governance is different from politics.

Amuda people salute your courage, Amuda people believe in your

capacity. All Ebonyi communities are trusted in your hands and care by God Almighty. He is watching, carry all along.

His Excellency be reassured of Amuda Community’s unalloyed loyalty to your administration.

Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria

Long live Ebonyi State

Long live Ezza North Local Government

Long live Amuda Autonomous Community

Thanks and God bless.

Hon. Chief Owor Donald

Mr. Obinna Umeh

President

Secretary

For and on behalf of the good people of Amuda Autonomous Community, Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi state.