People that are close to me will know am a fearful person and there are three set of humans that triggers that fear–people that carry guns to kill fellow humans during war time, people that are knowledgeable and aware of the truth and will not say it when there is a need, the last set are people who are ignorant and know nothing but want to talk at every instance even when their comments are not solicited.
Interestingly, when the fear keeps knocking and I see UPWU-UTU, it will naturally disappear. The UPWU-UTU is like a magic tree for me, which was more reason I was worried at a time during the build up to 2023 elections, when all the contestants were offered UPWU-UTU any time they go on campaign. I keep asking, what has actually changed about UPWU-UTU? What is the relationship between receiving UPWU-UTU and having votes in INEC election? Politics is not war and so were they giving them so that they will be peaceful and shun violence or for more votes to win? My prayer then was that UPWU-UTU should retain its proper place among the Igede as a symbol of peace and not as a political gift because politics is not war. UPWU-UTU is for peace and not as a symbol of victory–if they gave it for victory, then it was scam of highest order because some of them that collected the leaf never won at primary level.
In the recent crisis in our dear land, the UPWU-UTU came up again as a symbol of peace to quell the agitation and stop the continuation of the crisis. It worked perfectly as the two warring sides accepted the UPWU-UTU a sign of truce.
But few days ago, rumour was on the air about a plan for renewed hostility and many people are alleged to pack their belongings and flee the central areas. It took a radio announcement for people to calm down and stop running.
My concern and questions are- why the fear and flight when UPWU-UTU has been given by at least three different sets of people to the two communities, that is the Otume group, the group led by HRM the Queen and the last one last week by Hon Ogewu? Could it be that the Igede people never believe again that UPWU-UTU is equal to peace? Or could it be that some of the people that handled the UPWU-UTU are male instead of female in our olden cultural practices? Or could it be most of them carried green leaf instead of the real UPWU-UTU?
Whatever the answers maybe, it points to one fact. UPWU-UTU in itself does not translate to peace without just and truthful discussion about the remote and immediate cause of the problem.
I pray and encourage the relevant stakeholders to ensure that we get to the root of the crisis with the sponge soaked with truth and traditional justice.
Until that is done, we will be playing on top of a deadly timed tomb. It will only be ego trip and attention grabbing hike to pronounce that peace is brokered or restored because of mere collection of UPWU-UTU.
The leaf from time immemorial doesn't work like that in Igede society and all of us know and that was why people took to their heels even when they witnessed the ceremonies of UPWU-UTU collection at three different times.UPWU-UTU collection simply means- we have accepted to lay down arms and go to the round table for discussion.
Many people are advocating that the table be set at ẸPWẸẸDỊỊ. If that is becoming too difficult, we should stop replacing it with green leaf show. For me, it can be anywhere as far as truth will be deployed.
UPWU-UTU is not a peace magic wand, the rumour and the sudden flight has proven that.
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