– Says; Communities Entertaining Themselves With Claim
-Warns Against Unguarded Statement, Empty Threats
The lingering debate over which community actually owns the land on which the Orlu Local Government Council headquarters is situated has continued unabated, as the youths of Orlu community, have opened up on why they have been silent on the issues,adding that it will amount tl waste of time to join issues with people who know the truth but wish to decieve the public with unfounded claims.
The youths, in a press statement signed by the President of Orlu Youths Association, Comrade Odogwu Chijioke and the Secretary Comrade Okolie Chigoziri Kenneth, said, it is obvious that Umuna and Amaifeke communities know that their respective claims to the Council Headquarters are frivolous and laughable but are merely using such claims to entertain themselves and deceive the public.
They condemned the unguarded statements and threats contained in a statement issued by the leaders of Umuna, in their desperate attempt to claim the land which according to them is the bonafide and lawful property of Orlu community.
“In as much as we do not want to join issues with our Neigbours-Umuna and Amaifeke,we take exception to the statement credited to some leaders of Umuna Clan Development Association that they are ready to spill their blood because of an expanse of land that does not belong to them. The statement as far as we are concerned is diversionary, inflammatory and unacceptable”.
“Our sister communities should not misconstrue our peaceful disposition and desire for mutual coexistence as docility. Hence, no person or group of persons should claim monopoly of violence.
The release reads in part, “As a people,we view such claims as baseless and an affront on the sensibilities of not just the people of Orlu community but also the entire people of Orlu LGA.
“Ordinarily, we would have disregarded these unfounded and irrational claims, but for the benefit of the public who may be misled by the claims, we state as follows:
“We align with the statement made by Honourable Eddy Olumba and other leaders of the Orlu community in addressing the issues raised. All of them accurately clarified that the land housing the Orlu Local Government Headquarters belongs to the Orlu community.
“Their clarification should suffice for any discerning individual familiar with the composition of the Orlu Local Government Headquarters. Any contrary claims can only be from mischief-makers who derive joy from distorting facts.
“We emphasize that no community has a monopoly of violence. The Orlu community will not tolerate any attempt to encroach on our land or claim ownership of areas that belong to us.
“In the past, we may have taken certain activities of our neighbors for granted because we are brothers. But now that, recent developments have shown that our brothers, whom we show love, consider our benevolence as weakness, we will be cautious .Orlu community is known for brevity, particularly when it is necessary.
“It is a known fact that our leaders who responded to their claims provided verifiable facts. They went as far as explaining how some Umuegbe people in Uzoubi (names mentioned) were given lands as gifts by our brothers from Umuokwara,Orlu. These facts have not been challenged except making spurious claims aimed at provoking the real owners of the land.
“Finally, we call on every Orlu community people to remain calm despite provocative statements by our neighbors. Nothing has changed. The headquarters of Orlu Local Government Council is still in Orlu community and not Umuna or Amaifeke. Booth 009 belonging to Orlu Mgbe Ward is still opposite the Council headquarters”.
