Tension is brewing in Anyarigwe community, located in Ishinkwo Ukawu, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following allegations that the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr. Peter Oge-Ali, is attempting to convert a community-donated electricity transformer for his personal use.
Leaders of the community have raised alarm in a petition addressed to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, alleging that the commissioner plans to use security operatives to seize the transformer from the village.
The petition, dated October 16, 2025, and jointly signed by the Ukawu Town Union President, Mr. James Eze Agala, Anyarigwe Village President General, Mr. Joseph Elem, and Councillor representing Ishinkwo Ukawu Ward, Mr. Maduabuchi Nwali, appealed to the governor to intervene immediately to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
According to the letter, the community expressed shock that a public official would allegedly use his office to intimidate locals and attempt to confiscate a transformer that was procured through collective donations during a community fundraiser in 2023.
“Anyarigwe village and the entire Ukawu community are heartbroken that the Commissioner for Power and Energy is using his position to threaten our Neighbourhood Watch members, directing them to invade our village to seize the transformer,” the letter stated.
“We appeal to Governor Nwifuru to call the commissioner to order to prevent a crisis in our peaceful community. If he needs a transformer, he should buy one — this particular transformer was acquired through our collective effort,” the statement added.
The Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr. Peter Oge-Ali, has, however, denied the allegations describing them as “baseless.”
“It was the community that took the transformer. I am not from there, and I don’t know anything about it. Their allegations are baseless,” the commissioner said.
The situation has stirred widespread concern across the Onicha axis, as residents and civic groups call on the Ebonyi State Government to swiftly address the issue to maintain peace and uphold transparency in the energy sector.
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