AfDB Office Complex: Imo Women Protest Over Lack of Open, Inclusive Consultations

Hundreds of women from the Mgbara Community in Imo State, Nigeria, have taken to the streets to protest what they describe as a lack of open, transparent, and inclusive consultation regarding land appropriation for an African Development Bank (AfDB) office complex.

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We, the people of Mgbara Egbema, Imo State, Nigeria, are protesting today to formally communicate our strong objection to, and rejection of, any proposed project or development initiative associated with the AfDB within our community, where the project has not received the genuine and collective acceptance of the people.

The women allege that a select group of individuals has monopolized the land acquisition negotiations, effectively excluding the wider community from decisions that impact their ancestral heritage and collective interests. Carrying placards and singing protest songs, they marched through Mmahu-Egbema, the local government headquarters, asserting that the project cannot proceed without proper community engagement.

Mr. Modrich Ajunwa, the immediate past Youth President, speaking on behalf of the women, emphasized that their protest has the backing of the entire community. He stated that the future and common interests of the community cannot be legitimately decided behind closed doors by a small faction. He urged the AfDB to exercise caution and suspend any project engagement until the community's concerns are genuinely addressed through an open and inclusive process.

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We respectfully urge AfDB to exercise caution and suspend any engagement or implementation of the proposed project in Mgbara Egbema, until concerns of the wider community have been properly addressed through an open, transparent and inclusive consultation process.

The protesters are not inherently against development but insist on genuine development that respects the people, their land, their rights, and their culture. Ajunwa highlighted that land is essential for farmers, who form a significant part of the community, and its acquisition directly affects their livelihoods. He stressed the need for direct dealings with the community members when land is taken for development projects.

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We further appeal to the bank not to rely solely on representations made by individual political leaders, traditional authorities, community representatives or any other persons claiming to speak on behalf of Mgbara Egbema without verifiable evidence of broad community consent.

The women expressed concern that the project, under the current circumstances, is already causing disagreement, tension, and division within the community. They fear that proceeding without broad consent could aggravate the situation, leading to consequences contrary to the principles of sustainable development, community participation, and peacebuilding.

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The proposed project has already become a source of serious disagreement, tension and division within the community. Rather than promoting development and unity, the circumstances surrounding the project are contributing to breach of peace and growing distrust among members of the community.