Tension mounts in the ancient Buguma community, headquarters of the Asari-Toru Local Government Area following the resurgence of cultism, hooliganism and violence in the area. Residents of the area are now living in perpetual fear as the current Caretaker Committee chairman of the LGA, Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich and Mr. Ojukaye Flag Amachree, the erstwhile executive chairman of Asalga lock horns over fighting for the political domination of the area. The ex-council boss, Mr. Flag Amachree is of the All Progressives Congress APC, while the CTC chairman is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Barely four (4) weeks ago armed security men moved into Buguma and arrested some persons loyal to the CTC chairman. The security agents also ransacked the residence of the council chairman.
Responding swiftly to the early morning raid, the political aide of the CTC Boss accused Mr. Flag Amachree and the All Progressives Congress, APC of master minding the security invasion of the Buguma community.
Mr. Flag Amachree through his media aide, Asi Prince Dateme denied the allegation, revealing during the raid, the security discovered hundreds of PVCs in the home of the CTC chairman.
Just last week, the Asalga chairman of APC, Mr. Dare Samuel-Horsfall raised alarm of PDP’s plan to use military to invade the residence of APC chieftains in the area. According to Samuel-Horsfall the PDP’s plan is to plant or hide ammunition in the homes of the APC chiefs in order to indict them of possession of illegal fire arms. The PDP, however denied this allegation, describing it as baseless and calculated attempt to rubbish the good image of the CTC chairman.
Also last week the Asalga PDP accused the former council chairman of illegally building a security post in Buguma, which the party described as a security threat.
Without mincing words, it is right to state categorically that Amb. Jackrich and Mr. Flag Amachree are always at loggerhead with each other, fighting over supremacy.
The political war between the Asalga chapter of the APC and the PDP has divided and scattered the Buguma Council of Chiefs under the leadership of Chief Charles D. Amachree. The Chiefs’ Council has turned into partisan organization as it romances with the PDP.
The Buguma Chiefs Council accused the former Asalga chairman, Mr. Flag Amachree of illegally carting away the community power generating set without the knowledge of the Amanyanabo of Kalabari, HM King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, Amachree XI.
The chiefs’ council also condemned the ugly attitude of the ex-council chairman for illegal sale of community land and demolition of the part of the building of Kalabari National College, KNC,Buguma.
Speaking to newsmen, a chieftain of APC, Hon. Fred Horsfall blasted the Buguma Council of Chiefs for taking side in the matter. He said that the chiefs are the problems facing the community because of their insincerity and selfish gain.
He recalled that few years back because of the lopsided thinking of the chiefs, Buguma community was thrown into darkness, where so many people lost their lives and properties.
Also speaking the National coordinator of Buguma Frontiers, Comrade Ibiba Ntiego condemned the attitude of the Chiefs, adding that the Buguma Council of Chiefs is not suppose to entangle itself in the APC/PDP affairs.
Comrade Ntiego described the action of the Buguma chiefs as myopic and advised them to avoid playing politics with development of the community, because their traditional role is to maintain peace and order in their respective domains. ###
