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By Madu Obi
THE chairperson of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mrs. Ogwo Scholastica Anulika and the council's Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr. Jonathan Uzoigwe, have had a bitter clash over preparations for the October1 Nigeria's Independence anniversary celebration in the area.
Trouble was said to have started when the NULGE chairman was addressing the workers ahead of the country's 63th Independence day celebration, a development the head of administration allegedly objected to.
Ogwo told reporters in Awka that she was beaten mercilessly by the HLGA in an attempt to stop her from addressing the workers as directed by the Local Government Transition Committee chairman.
She said that it was the quick intervention of the security officers attached to the local government that saved her from being beaten to death.
She said: "I was given an invitation for the 63th Independence Anniversary as the NULGE chairperson in the local government by the Social Welfare unit in the Council so, I had to inform the workers that the local government chairman had invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday, October 1.
"While addressing the workers, the HLGA angrily came out of his office and ordered me to stop addressing the workers, saying that there is nothing like NULGE in Orumba South LGA and Anambra State in general.
"In the process of trying to resolve the issue, he started beating me without considering that I am a woman. During the attack, I sustained a fracture in my right hand and bruises in other parts of my body."
"If not for the quick intervention of the security officers around, I don't know what would have happened to me by now. I thank God Almighty for sparing my life".
Ogwo said she had already made an official report to the Local Government Service Commission and the Nigeria Labour Congress respectively over the issue.
She appealed to the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to call the HLGA to order to avoid break down of law and order in the local government area.
However, the HLGA, Uzoigwe, has denied the allegation, acknowledging that it is a taboo to beat a married woman in Igbo land.
According to him, nothing of such happened in the Council, adding that it would have amounted to insulting himself to beat a junior staff.
He said: "How will this sound before the public? There are procedures and rules I would have applied if truly such a case arose. My rank is above beating any junior staff."
"I did not beat her. It is a fabrication by her and the state chairman of NULGE to tarnish the hard- earned reputation I have built for decades across the state."
"The bandage she tied 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."
The state chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, while reacting on the incident, called for the suspension of the HLGA for the assault on the woman, alleging that it had been his normal character.
"Uzoigwe's case has been a recurring issue, as we have received several reports against him in the past, which we have relayed to the relevant authorities."
"The leadership of NULGE in Anambra State under my watch will not take this matter lightly and we will ensure justice for Anulika. The HLGA will be made to take care of her hospital bills and other damages he has caused," Adigwe added.
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