There is tension in Alor community of Anambra State as some young people claiming to be members of Alor Youth Initiative (AYI) have threatened to unleash mayhem if any meeting, prayer session or end of year activity is allowed to hold at St. Mary’s Catholic church in the town on December 30.

In a a letter addressed to the parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Alor, Rev. Father Christopher Izuu Ifem, the youths also threatened the clergy, saying he would be held responsible for possible loss of lives and properties if he allows any such social event to take place in the church on December 30, 2024 as well as same date of every year.

In the letter addressed to the priest, with Reference No: AYI/ADMIN/00036, dated 27^th December 2024, a copy of which Nationwide Reports obtained, Alor Youth Initiative (AYI), said the letter became necessary and must be adhered to by the priest and other stakeholders failure of which hell would be unleashed on the community.

The letter, which was by signed by Chief Conrad Okezie Akubueze and Mr. Emecheta Ubabunike, President General and Secretary General of AYI respectively, was copied to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo, Ezedioranma 111 of Alor Kingdom and Chief Emma Ojukwu Agbigwe, President General of Alor Peoples’ Convention.

It warned Rev. Father Christopher Izuu Ifem, to use his position and take necessary steps and stop what it described as ‘meddlesomness by those fanning embers of disunity in the community.’

The letter was titled- “No event, Gathering or any Function is allowed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Field on Every 30^th December.”

It reads- “We write to notify you based on the above information. That no event or gathering whatsoever, are allowed to be held at the church field.

“The said date, 30^th December, was reserved for the Alor Annual General Meeting (Ogbako Alor). No other function, including opening of shops are allowed in Alor community borders during the meeting on that day. (See page 6, section 6 (111) of Alor Peoples’ Convention Constitution.

“The Alor Youth Initiative Advice that everybody should desist from holding any event on the church field the day of the meeting and during the meeting and to stop disunity and dichotomy in the community.

“Again, we frown on desecration of the church field in the name of prayers and illegal and unconstitutional end of the year meeting at the parish field. We are sure that you have seen the video clip of the ‘prayer session’ of December 30, 2023, where they were praying for the death of Engr. Dr. Emeka Muoma Ezeh (FNSE, OFR), a foremost philanthropist from Alor, for no just cause. That singular act is enough not to give out the church premises for such nefarious and wicked prayer sessions. The ‘prayer session’ also runs contrary to the motto of our Archbishop, Most Reverend Valerian Maduka Okeke- “That they may have life and have it in abundance (John 10-10).

“Moreover, Alor town has their ancestral Obi Ezeagbudugbu Palace, where we hold an annual end of the year meeting (Ogbako-Alor).

“Sequel to the above, the youths have resolved never to allow any further illegal, mischievous, parallel and unconstitutional end of the year meeting at St. Mary’s Catholic Church field again.

“We are sure that you will not like to see the church premises as a battlefield with its attendant wanton destruction of lives and property. Violators will be held responsible for any consequences.

“We hope on you, as the representative of Christ on earth and the Shepherd of Christ’s flock, to wield the big stick and stop the meddlesomness with those fanning embers of disunity.

“May God guide and direct your discernment in this matter.

“Yours in Christ.”