By Ovat Abeng
The Chairperson of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mrs. Ogwo Scholastica Anolika, has been allegedly attack by the Council Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr. Jonathan Chidozie Uzoigwe, for addressing workers ahead of the Nation’s 63th Independence day celebration, holding on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 Nationwide.
Speaking with Journalists in Awka, on Friday, Mrs Anulika disclosed that she was beaten to stupour by the HLGA Mr Jonathan Uzoigwe in attempt to stop her from addressing workers for the celebration as directed by the Council Transition Committee Chairman, Mrs Anulika, adding that the quick intervention of the Security Officers attached to the Council Area saved her from being beaten to death.
She said the incident happened at the Council Secretariat, on Wednesday.
According to her, I was given the 63th Independence Anniversary invitation as the NULGE Chairperson in the Area by the Social Welfare Unit in the Council, so, I have to informed the workers that the Council Chairman has invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday, while addressing the workers, the HLGA, Mr.Uzoigwe, angrily came out of his office and order me to stop addressing workers, noting that there is nothing like NULGE in Orumba South and Anambra State in general and the process of trying to resolved the issue, he started beaten me without considering that I am a married woman.
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“During the attack, I sustained fracture in my right hand and bruises in other part of my body.
“If not for the quick intervention of the security officers in the area, I don’t know what would have happened to me by now, I thanked God Almighty for spearing my life, she wept. She has made official report to the local Government service commission and the union state secretariat respectively
Mrs Anulika appealed to the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo to call the HLGA to order to avoid further break down of law and order in the Council Area.
The HLGA, Mr. Uzoigwe, in his swift reply, denied the allegation, saying it is a taboo beaten a married woman in Igbo land.
According to him, nothing of such happened in the Council Area. How do you expect me, a HLGA to insult myself by beaten a junior Staff.
How will this sound before the public? When there are procedures and rules I would have applied if truely such case arises. My rank is above beaten any junior Staff. I did not beat her. It is a cook fabrication plan by her and the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, to tarnished the hard end reputation I have build for decades across the state. The bandage she is tiring around her hand is a plan to spoiled my name before the state government and the general public.
“The general public should please disregard the information, he summited.
Reacting to the incident, the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, called for the suspension of the HLGA for the assult as this has been his routine character. Uzoigwe case has been a reoccurring issue, we have recieved several reports against him in the past which we have relayed to the relevant authorities.
He said the leadership of NULGE in Anambra under my watch will not take the matter likely, we will ensure Justice for Mrs. Anulika.
The HLGA, Mr. Uzoigwe, will take care of the hospital bills, all the financial implication and other damages he has caused, the Chairman vowed.
