The ANO Stone Dealers Association in Ishiagu, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state has gotten new executives, led by Mr.James Chukwu.
Election of the stone dealers, which was supposed to hold on 4th November, was disrupted by pockets of crisis which led to the destruction of some properties, including motorcycles and Vehicles by opposing groups.
But the chairman of the council, Chief Emmanuel Ajah, who noted that normalcy has returned in the business area successful inaugurated new leadership of the company on Tuesday.
While Mr. Ajah disclosed this to journalists in Abakaliki, he called on Governor Francis Nwifiuru to look inward and know those causing crisis in the local government.
He alleged that some of the appointees with the state government were working against the same government.
He said, “I want to thank God Almighty and also the Executive Governor, Rt Hon. Francis Nwifuru alongside security agencies who helped to calm the situation on the day of ANO Stone Dealers election in the Ivo local government.
“Elections of the stone dealers were already harmonized by the stakeholders and we concluded a consensus of candidates in each position in other to avoid crises during the elections.
“Unfortunately, some persons from the back sponsored by one group tried to cause unrest in Ivo, using the union election as an avenue to perpetrate their evil act. But thank God that no life was lost during the incident.
“Unfortunately, we found out that some people had hijacked the election and put it as a protest. Some wanted to use that opportunity to attack their enemies. Thank God that when we discovered their plan God, who has been seeing us through in all our elections that have been more than this, saw us through.
“The two groups have agreed to have a caretaker committee leadership. And the stone-crushing company has been operational without any disturbance. Normalcy has returned to the place.
“Also, I’m going to set up a committee on Ishiagu matters, which is already in existence they are going to look into the crisis, to know the number of people whose properties were destroyed, like motorcycles that were burnt, and vehicles whose glasses were destroyed.
“The committee has two weeks to report their findings and we will find a way to replace the properties, the people at fault will replace it.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that some people working with us at the state level are no longer with us, I will plead with the government to look inward and see who is causing the crisis and who wants to cause crisis in Ivo LGA.
“ If there is any internal security matter you need to work with your chairman and not cause problems in the local government.
“The issue of people sustaining bullet wounds is a hearsay. Nobody has the comfort to lay any claims on that or say the hospital they were admitted in.”
Meanwhile, the new leadership of the union, led by James Chukwu has been inaugurated.
