A group of protesting indigenes of Umuelendu Village in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State has protested to the Abia State House of Assembly over what they claimed to be the illegal takeover of their lands by some people.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting group, Mr Okechukwu Sunday said, “Mr Speaker, we are here for just one reason, we want to bring to your notice the plight that has befallen Umuelendu Villaga in Obingwa Local Government Area.

“Our brothers and sisters are all here because of the ill-treatment meted to us by the Abia State Government.

“Let reason prevail against the selfish interests of few individuals who want to take over our land.

“We don’t have enough land even though we have many children; we are not happy, Umuelendu people are not happy. In 2017, we experienced this same issue when a Medical Doctor slumped and died”, members of the protesting community said.

Responding, the Speaker commended the protesting group for their peaceful disposition in making their feelings known.

“I believe that you people are from Obingwa Local Government Area, and the Governor of the State is from your community.

“The Governor is your brother. He is also from Obingwa like yourselves. This is failure on your part because I believe you could have sent a representative to the Governor to tell him your grievances first for possible resolution. You know yourselves that he is a listening Governor and that he would have listened to you,” the Speaker advised.

The Speaker thereafter urged the community to make out time to see the Governor and present their complaint to him before presenting it as a petition to the House of Assembly, if there was still any need.

“It will be wrong as a House for us to come and do anything when you have not first briefed the Governor on the matter,” the Speaker concluded