September 26, (THEWILL) — The lingering town union crisis in Awara Autonomous Community, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, is set for resolution as the Imo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has once again demonstrated its resolve to enthrone peace, order, and stability across the state.
In line with the Governor’s philosophy that peace is non-negotiable for sustainable development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Hon. Deacon Ernest Oziri, on September 17, 2025, paid a peace and fact-finding visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Eze Andrew Ezenwoke, GBURUGBURU I of Awara Ancient Kingdom, to hear directly from the throne and community stakeholders on the lingering tussle surrounding the leadership of the Awara Progressive Town Union.
Welcoming the Governor’s envoy, HRM Eze Andrew Ezenwoke expressed gratitude to the Governor for sending his SA to intervene, stressing that the crisis in Awara should not be allowed to escalate, given the community’s history as a flashpoint. The traditional ruler, who also serves as the eldest man in his village, one of the 15 that make up the autonomous community, took the SA down memory lane on the origin of the crisis.
He explained that the Awara Progressive Town Union, which has existed for over 40 years, operates strictly by its constitution, which stipulates a 3-year tenure for executives. Trouble, however, started after the death of their former President General, Mr Kenneth Opara, when the then Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman appointed Mr London as PG, contrary to the provisions of the constitution. Though the people vehemently protested, they allowed it to slide in the interest of peace.
Subsequently, the community set up an electoral committee to conduct fresh elections. Notification letters were duly sent to relevant authorities, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, through a correspondence dated March 14, 2024, with reference number Aw/ST/003. The election, held on March 27, 2024, produced Mr Lucky Onyiri as PG alongside other executive members.
Eze Ezenwoke noted that the crisis deepened when the then Sole Administrator, Chief Princewill Onyeaju, surprisingly appointed Mr Saturday Abel as PG, even though there was already a democratically elected leadership in place. This move, the people resisted. Matters became even more complicated when Mr London resurfaced, parading himself as PG despite his tenure having long expired, with claims, dismissed by the people as laughable, that he was serving as an “Indefinite PG.” The monarch stated that this affront forced the people to seek redress in court.
The royal father appealed to Hon. Oziri to use his office to ensure peace was restored, stressing that the constitutionally elected executives, who still have about 18 months left in office, should be allowed to conclude their tenure. “Our community cannot afford another round of crisis”, the monarch emphasised.
Also lending their voices in support of the monarch were prominent stakeholders: Hon. Nze Dimkpa Enyia, former TC Chairman Ohaji/Egbema; Pastor Azubuike Ihia, former SECOG; and Hon. Engr. Davis Ogbuji, former ISOPADEC Commissioner. They unanimously buttressed the monarch’s account, insisting that the people of Awara are law-abiding and pro-government.
They challenged those tagging them “anti-government” to show evidence by presenting results of the last election from their polling units, which would prove where loyalty lies. They further questioned why Awara should be singled out, pointing out that contemporaries of Mr London, such as Hon. Chief Bartholomew Obodo (Assa PG), Mr Kingsley Omuruka (Obile PG), and Mr Kingsley Akan (Ochia PG), who were appointed at the same time, have all since left office, with new executives now steering their respective communities.
In his remarks, Hon. Deacon Ernest Oziri reiterated Governor Uzodimma’s firm stance that no act capable of jeopardising peace in Imo communities will be tolerated. He urged Awara leaders and indigenes to put peace above personal ambition, assuring them that the Governor has zero tolerance for lawlessness.
“His Excellency, the Governor, is clear: peace is the foundation of development, and no community in Imo State will be left to languish in avoidable crises. The government will ensure that the right thing is done in Awara in line with the dictates of your town union constitution and in accordance with the shared prosperity agenda,” Oziri stated.
He further stressed that the Office of the Special Adviser on Community Relations was deliberately created by the Governor to serve as a bridge between government and communities, ensuring that disputes are resolved amicably, justice is upheld, and peace becomes the permanent culture across Imo State.
By the end of the meeting, stakeholders expressed renewed hope that, with the Governor’s intervention through his SA, Awara will soon return to the path of unity, progress, and lasting peace.
