The Concerned Ikwuano Indigenes sent a warning letter to the Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon.Obi Aguocha over the Insulting and Criminalization of Peaceful Ikwuano LGA when he was addressing the Issue of Umuahia-Ikwuano- Ikot-Ekpene Express Road at the Green Chamber of National Assembly.

The Organisation Stated clearly in an open letter addressed to the lawmaker on his choice of vulgar utterances and evil painting on the good people of Ikwuano.

Therefore the lawmaker should tender and in reserve an apology to Nde Ikwuno.

19 October, 2023.

Honourable Obi Aguocha
Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency
House of Representatives
National Assembly Complex
Abuja

Re: Offensive Branding of Ikwuano LGA

Let us first, as a group, congratulate you on your emergence as the representative of the good people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives. Every information available to us affirms that you have what it takes to be an effective representative of our people. We therefore hold you in high esteem and have high expectations.

This letter was however necessitated by two utterances that you have made about the Ikwuano Local Government Area:

a) During the Ikwuano Socio-economic Summit hosted by Ahamefula Development Initiative, Ikwuano, and held between 3-5 January 2023, you had referred to Ikwuano people as being “slaves” to the powers that be, in Umuahia North.

b) In the course of moving a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives calling for action on the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road, you had alleged that a lot of “kidnappings, armed robbery, and banditry” were happening on the road, especially around the university community. It is important to note that the “University Community” you referred to is in Ikwuano Local Government Area.

While we understand that to sometimes force the Government to take action, one may try to exaggerate a little, we are however alarmed that this reckless and false representation of what is happening along that road amounts to the tagging of residents of our beloved Local Government Area as criminals and bandits. This could have deeper implications for us if it is not quickly checked and retracted.

This damaging statement inaccurately paints our Local Government Area in an unfavourable light, casting a shadow over our reputation, and portraying Ikwuano as an unattractive destination for potential investors and visitors, which by implication will harm our economic prospects, social fabric, and overall quality of life. This unfair branding leaves a scar, and the attendant stigma associated with high crime rates and insecurity can persist even after the issues of the road are resolved.

Principally, let us point out that your claim that Ikwuano has become a safe haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, and bandits is a false allegation that is not supported by any substantive factual or statistical data. The lack of this supporting data proves that the motion lacks a comprehensive balanced assessment of the situation, which can lead to misguided and *unnecessary policy actions.*

We do acknowledge the significance of addressing the issue of the terrible physical state of the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot-Ekpene Federal road. However, we cannot afford to have the means cost us more than the end benefits us.

Sadly, by painting an exaggerated sense of insecurity, our Local Government Area is at risk of a *disproportionate code-red response* from Government authorities. This response is often characterized by the excessive presence of security personnel which might target innocent youths. It is on record that South-Eastern federal roads are among the most militarized in the nation, with multiple checkpoints, roadblocks, and security operations that impact commuting and access to services. We would appreciate it if you do not reinforce a false narrative that would give justification for adding the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot-Ekpene federal road to the list, setting us up for potential militarization.

Additionally, your specific mention of the University Community endangers the welfare of the students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The narrative of *“…A LOT OF KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY, AND BANDITRY …* especially around the university community”, further exacerbates their vulnerabilities and instigates a climate of fear and uncertainty among the student population who are already victims of profiling, unwarranted searches, arbitrary detentions, and extortion by some unscrupulous individuals within the security forces.

Consequently, we believe that a more constructive approach should have been to emphasize the economic importance of the road and our position as a vital agricultural hub with so much potential.

These twin portraitures of Ikwuano people as slaves to Umuahia North, and the Local Government Area as a hub for criminal activities are not only condescending and degrading, but downright offensive and should be retracted and apologies rendered to nde Ikwuano, forthwith.

Ikwuano people are not slaves to any other Local Government Area, neither is the Local Government Area a hub for criminal activities.
It is therefore important that, as a public figure, you recognise the importance of applying extreme tact in your utterances and choice of words.

We wish you well in the execution of your duties.

For: Concerned Ikwuano Indigenes
Nnaemeka Oruh
Charles Obi Adiezeh
Cokey Lordson Nwachukwu
Nwabeke Michaels Chukwuemeka
Rita Nnanna
Henry Ugwunna
Nnamdi Aruocha
Ugochukwu Ezeribe PhD

Cc: Ikwuano Development Union Federated
Ikwuano Council of Traditional Rulers
Ndi Eze Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers
Labour Party, Ikwuano.

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