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 attacked by the Council Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr Jonathan Uzoigwe, for addressing workers ahead of the nation’s 63rd 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 stupor by the HLGA, Mr Jonathan Uzoigwe in attempt an 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 63rd Independence Anniversary invitation as the NULGE Chairperson in the Area by the Social Welfare Unit in the Council, so, I have to inform the workers that the Council Chairman has invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday, while addressing the workers, the HLGA, Mr. Chidozie, angrily came out of his office and ordered 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 resolve the issue, he started beating me without considering that I am a married woman.
“During the attack, I sustained fracture in my right hand and bruises in other parts 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. Charles Soludo to call the HLGA to order to avoid further breakdown of law and order in the Council Area.
The HLGA, Mr/Uzoigwe, in his swift reply, however, denied the allegation, saying “It is a taboo to beat a married woman in Igboland”.
According to him, nothing of such happened in the council area.
“How do you expect me, a HLGA to insult myself by beating a junior Staff?
“How will this sound before the public? When there are procedures and rules I would have applied if truly 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 tarnish the hard-end reputation I have built for decades across the state. The bandage she is tiring around her hand is a plan to spoil my name before the state government and the general public.
“The general public should please disregard the information,” he submitted.
Reacting to the incident, the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, called for the suspension of the HLGA for the assault as this had been his routine character.
“Uzoigwe’s case has been a reoccurring issue, we have received several reports against him in the past which we have relayed to the relevant authorities”, he said.
He said the leadership of NULGE in Anambra under his watch would not take the matter lightly, adding “we will ensure Justice for Mrs. Anulika.”
“The HLGA, Mr Chidozie will take care of the hospital bills, all the financial implications and other damages he has caused,” the Chairman vowed.
