By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Effium indigenous clan chairmen have strongly opposed the proposed creation of an autonomous community for Ezza-Effium residents within Effium land, located in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Operating under the aegis of the Association of Effium Indigenous Clan Chairmen, they called on Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, to halt actions towards the bill.

In a statement by the group’s Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Okpali Egbe, and Secretary, Elom Ocho, the plan was described as “provocative, historically unjustified, and detrimental to peace efforts in the region.”

The leaders’ protest followed the governor’s submission of an executive bill to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, seeking to establish an autonomous community for the Ezza-Effium population.

Effium leaders condemned both the bill and the process behind it, arguing that it disregarded previous legal and administrative decisions.

“It is with a sorrowful heart that we welcome you yet again to the press briefing today following the forwarding of an executive bill by Governor Francis Nwifuru to the State House of Assembly for the creation of an Autonomous Community for Ezza-Effium in Effium land and its subsequent passage,” the statement read.

The group cited past rejections of similar requests during the East Central State era in 1976 and a 2001 Federal High Court injunction as precedents that denied the legitimacy of granting autonomy to Ezza settlers within Effium territory.

“A sojourner can never be ‘rewarded’ with the creation of his Autonomous Community in another man’s land simply because he took arms against his host community,” they emphasized.

They further criticized the governor’s decision to ignore the recommendations of the Most Rev. Michael Nnachi Okoro-led peace committee, which concluded that the Effium natives are the rightful owners of the land and sole custodians of traditional leadership rights.

“The entire land of Effium belongs to Effium Natives. The request for the creation of a new autonomous community and control of traditional stool should be the exclusive right of Effium natives,” the statement quoted from the committee’s findings.

The Effium leaders accused the state government of altering the peace process following the removal of the Attorney General, Dr. Ben Odoh, as chair of the implementation committee, and his replacement with Amb. Frank Nchita Ogbuewu.