*ANYC CALLS FOR ELECTORAL BOYCOTT AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS OVER OLOGBA-EGBA CRISIS*
The Agatu National Youth Council (ANYC) has announced its opposition to any political aspirant from Ologba or Egba communities seeking leadership positions in Agatu, citing concerns over the ongoing crisis between the two communities.
In a statement, Comr Ochokwunu Daniel Edor, ANYC Convener, alleged that leaders from these communities have historically prioritized their own interests over the greater good, perpetuating the crisis. “There is no way a leader would emanate from these two communities that will not pervert judgement in favour of his own community which will in turn intensify the crisis,” Edor said. The group believes that stakeholders from these communities, who may be eyeing leadership positions, have contributed to the crisis.
The ANYC has called on the Agatu local government chairman, Hon. James Melvin Ejeh, to suspend salaries and benefits for civil servants from these communities until they resolve their differences and respect the court ruling. Additionally, the group has urged Governor Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia to suspend state benefits for the communities until they comply with the law.
The statement concluded with a call to action for all Agatu citizens to support the sanctions, emphasizing that no community deserves government benefits or rights if they cannot respect the law.
*No Political Party Should Give Tickets to Ologba or Egba Until Their Crisis Is Resolved.*
How can you lead the whole Local Government when you cannot lead your own community?
Agatu cannot continue to ignore a hard truth. Communities that are still locked in an unresolved communal conflict should not be entrusted with the political leadership of the entire local government.
For more than two decades, the crisis between Ologba and Egba has threatened peace, stability, and development in Agatu. Several interventions have taken place, including court cases, investigations by stakeholders, and peace committee engagements. Despite these efforts, tensions remain and the dispute continues to divide our people.
This is why it must be stated clearly and boldly: no political party should give a ticket to any candidate from either Ologba or Egba community for positions that represent the whole of Agatu until this communal crisis is peacefully and genuinely resolved.
Leadership is about unity, fairness, and the ability to rise above communal interests. When communities are still deeply involved in a conflict over land and resources, allowing political leadership to emerge from either side risks turning public office into an extension of that dispute.
Political parties have a responsibility to protect the stability of Agatu. Granting tickets to candidates from communities currently in conflict will only deepen suspicion, increase tension, and further divide our people.
The priority for both Ologba and Egba should be sincere dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace. When peace is achieved and trust is rebuilt, then political aspirations can be pursued without carrying the weight of unresolved conflict.
Another concern is the open declaration by some youths from the community that the recent court judgment did not favor. Many of them have openly stated that they are ready to challenge the judgment. This raises a serious question for the peace and stability of Agatu. If a community that has openly rejected a lawful judgment eventually produces a political leader for the entire local government, how will such youths behave? Will political power become a tool to undermine lawful decisions or escalate the crisis further? These are questions that cannot be ignored if Agatu truly desires lasting peace.
Agatu deserves leadership that unites all communities, not leadership that may reopen old wound.