Anambra community women stage naked protest, demand removal of monarch

Women from Nimo community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State have staged a naked protest at the government house, demanding for the removal of their traditional ruler, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi.

The women who were about 80 in number and mostly aged, most of who bared their breasts and scantily clad in black begged the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo to look into the problem in their community.

A protest letter which they presented to the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu who received them, alleged that the monarch had sold off a large expanse of land called Ala Owa, which was a product of conquest during a war in the olden days, and deemed to be owned by the entire community.

Leader of the protesting women, Mrs Catherine Akunna said: “Our traditional ruler has sold off all the land, and now we're left with no land for our farming activities.

“That is why we are here to beg the governor to remove him. We are Nimo Women Folk, our male counterparts have been here for the same protest before, and we are here to back them up.”

Part of the letter submitted to the state government and addressed to the governor stated that: “We make these demands which we also bring by ourselves to you to buttress their importance. We hope that they will receive your urgent attention and immediate consideration.

“We appeal to your good office Sir, to call to order our traditional ruler, Igwe Maxi Oliobi, over his insistence that a peaceful town like Nimo community, will no longer know peace during his reign. The confusion he has brought into the community has lingered for over four years now.

“The Igwe has consistently abused our traditional stool by using his position and office to intimidate and harass his subjects; we, the women, our husbands and sons. We are appalledby the set of actions he continues to take with every sense of arrogance; using his security operatives to create fear and unease in the entire Nimo community.”

The SSG who received the letter promised to bring both parties together to find a lasting solution to the problem in the community.

Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne who spoke to DAILY POST said the main problem in the community was the sale of Ala Owa land. He said the communities traditional stool and town union are all intact and have no problem. He said his office will liaise with the commissioner for land to solve the problem in the community.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler has repeatedly countered claims that he was unilaterally selling out community land, insisting that the community met in a general meeting and agreed to use the disputed land as an estate for community members.

There have also been solidarity rallies by members of the community to support the monarch in his reign.