Chairman of Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi state, Obiageri Oko Enyim and her elder brother, Chief Ogbonnia Oko Enyim, are at war over whose right it is to bury their late father, Chief Simon Oko Enyim.
Chief Enyim died 25th February, 2020 and the differences between the brothers who are from the Amasiri community may lead to a crisis in the LGA.
Both are of the same father but not the same mother. While Ogbonnia Oko Enyim was the chairman of Afikpo North local government area, he was not allowed to go for a second tenure, but was succeeded by the sister, Obiageri in 2020 when local government and councillorship elections were conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Through 91, Governor Dave Umahi appointed Oko Enyim his special assistant on School Monitoring in charge of Afikpo North LGA.
But Oko Enyim resigned the appointment last week citing the state government’s interference in the burial of his father as his main reason.
His resignation letter read thus “Your preference to my younger sister for reasons best known to you have compelled me to take this decision in order to avoid rancor and acrimony.
“Against, every known tradition and good conscience, your decision to interfere and deny me my right as the first son to organise a befitting burial for my father in line with my already concluded arrangements, after spending fortunes, is not acceptable to me.
“I hereby resign my appointment as SA under your administration with immediate effect. Kindly accept the assurances of my warmest regards. Thanks for everything.”
The former council chairman fixed the burial of his father for April 8, 2021 while Obiageri fixed the burial of the same person for May 8, 2021.
The controversy has led to tension in the Oko Enyim’s family, Amasiri community, Afikpo North local government and Ebonyi state in general.
A burial announcement released by Oko Enyim stated that there will be traditional wake and cultural service songs at the late sage’s country home, Uhu Oka Ihie, Opi autonomous community on 7th April, 2021.
But Obiageri Wednesday warned against the burial of their father on 8th April, 2021and vowed that law enforcement agencies will arrest and prosecute anyone planning to cause breach of public peace by doing any burial of their father on the date other than her chosen date for the burial.
