Stakeholders from Ekoli Edda, in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and the former council boss, Barrister Eni Uduma Chima, have continued to trade words over the alleged sponsorship of a terrorist group known as” More Can Be Done” in the community.
Eni, who spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Friday while responding to the allegations levelled against him by some members of his community that he is using a terrorist group against his people, described it as baseless.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Barrister Ogban Ebenezer Unor, it was alleged that the former council boss is involved in gunrunning, terrorism and bloodshed in collaboration with his alleged More Can Be Done squad.
Unor said: “We have been consulted by public-spirited citizens of Ekoli Edda in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, comprising three groups under the aegis of Concerned Citizens, Ekolite and Glory of Ekoli Edda, respectively, who have retained our services with the specific instructions to write this petition to Mr. President. We shall hereinafter refer to them as “our clients”.”
But in a swift reaction, the council boss, who is currently the board chairman of the Ebonyi State Fertiliser Company, insisted that there is no crisis in Edda and described the allegation as false, baseless and politically motivated.
“The ‘More Can Be Done’ they are referring to as a terrorist group is just a slogan I used during the election, where I told my people that more good things could be done if they voted for me,” Eni said.
“The petition that my political opponents are circulating is what has been there before and has been trashed by the court of law. The truth is that my opponents from my community do bring up this petition where graphic pictures have been painted showing where I have done violent things; all these are false and baseless.
“It is coming up because the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Francis Nwifuru, has just appointed me as the Chairman of the fertiliser company. They wanted to bring it up before the appointment but God didn’t allow them.
“I entered politics very early as a young man and I am doing very well, I think that is why they want to blackmail me before the public but God will not allow that,” he said.
He further stated that the people of Ekoli Edda have been at war with so many communities along its boundaries and in such a community, weapons are always found.
“The war between the people of Ekoli Edda in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Erei coalition comprising Egbon, Abanwan, Ipene and Ibini in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State contributes to the proliferation of arms.
“Those arms and ammunition have been recovered under the instructions of the Nigerian Army,” Eni added.
He called on the people who were trying to tarnish his image to come together with him and let them build a peaceful and progressive Edda.
Ebonyi: Stakeholders, ex-council boss trade words over sponsorship of terrorist group
