By Ifeanyi Iheakanwa

The lingering community leadership crisis in Mbieri Nwaotuoke in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo state has been laid to rest following a reconciliation gathering organized by the member representing the area in Imo state House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Innocent Ikpamezie.

The peace pact meeting held at the lawmaker's office in Assembly complex on Tuesday had in attendance some leaders in Mbaitoli including the immediate-past Imo state APC Chairman, Chief Marcon Nlemigbo, the Heads of the seven villages, a good number of titled Chiefs, the President General among others.

The community, as it was gathered, had been confronted with the issue of parallel leadership where two factions had emerged and produced different executives including the President Generals.

Ikpamezie, while addressing the groups preparatory to the forthcoming community election, said that the essence was to bring the people to a common understanding in order to forestall any act or activity that may lead to breakdown of law and order during the exercise.

The lawmaker regretted that the community had lost a great deal of opportunities owing to the lingering crisis which he further described as self-made because, according to him, the people can easily resolve such among themselves.

He did not mince words in describing Mbieri people as very resourceful people who could gather their wealth of experience and channel such to the growth and development of the community rather than dividing and having diverse interest.

"This leadership crisis has been on for many years, and this is not healthy to the community. We need find ways of proffering lasting solutions to it. 

"Mbieri Nwaotuoke is a great community with resourceful people. Fighting can only draw the community backwards. I want to sincerely appeal to you to leverage on this Saturday election to put to an end the lingering leadership. 

"We should see ourselves as one family and we must be united as one. I call on the Electoral panel to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will user in leaders of the people's aspirations," the lawmaker advised.

Chief Marcellenus Nlemigbo, in his contribution, prayed that peace be restored in Mbieri community. He thanked the lawmaker for bringing the people together to sign a peace pact and the two factions to use the opportunity of the Saturday election to embrace change and forwardness.

In an interview with the President General of the community, Sir Fidelix Akuchie, he said what Ikpamezie had done would go a long way towards restoring peace in the community.

Akuchie said, "I am the President General of Mbieri Nwaotuoke community. My tenure still persists and we are about conducting a fresh election. The Election Committee shall be named on Saturday during our meeting at Orie-Mbieri.

"It is true that we have a factional leadership but all kudos to the House member, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie and other leaders that waded into the matter. To the glory of God, the factional President General has decided to embrace peace and work with us. He earlier left and handed over to a caretakership under the leadership of Prof. CONA Asinobi, who came alongside his executive and signed a peace accord with us.

"It takes a nice lawmaker to bring the people together. On this note, I thank Hon. Ikpamezie in a special way for coming to broker peace in this lingering crisis. He has done marvelously well."

In the end, the factions embraced peace and agreed to have an unbiased electoral panel that will conduct a free, fair and credible election on or before Easter.