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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Tension is mounting in Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State as hundreds of indigenes have warned that the alleged imposition of a traditional ruler could trigger a crisis unless the government intervenes by conducting a transparent election.
The indigenes, who gathered at the community square over the weekend, rejected the alleged emergence of Jude Agu as the community’s traditional ruler, insisting that the autonomous community has no recognised Igwe and that only a free and fair election, conducted in line with the community’s constitution, can produce a legitimate monarch.
They appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to direct the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to immediately conduct the election to avert what they described as an avoidable crisis.
The protest followed reports that Agu had been presented with a staff of office as the traditional ruler of the community, a development the indigenes described as unconstitutional and capable of causing a breach of the peace.
They also drew attention to a subsisting interlocutory injunction issued by the Enugu State High Court restraining Agu from parading himself as the Igwe or Igwe-elect of the community pending the determination of a substantive suit.
The order, delivered on July 25, 2025, by Justice A.A. Onovo in Suit No. E/491/2023, filed by Chief Maurice Nonyelum Ekete against Jude Agu and Hon. Kenneth Mbah, directed all parties to maintain the status quo until the matter is determined.
The protesters argued that recognising any traditional ruler without an election would amount to a violation of both the community’s constitution and the subsisting court order.
Addressing journalists, a community elder, Chief Gabriel Okoh, accused the immediate past Town Union Chairman, Kenneth Mbah, of frustrating an earlier process to elect a traditional ruler.
“Umuchigbo people are against imposition. All we want is an election. If Jude Agu wants to be Igwe, he should come to the village square and contest like every other aspirant,” he said.
The youth leader of the community, Anthony Anike, warned that imposing a monarch against the wishes of the people could lead to avoidable unrest.
“The matter is still in court, yet we are hearing that someone has received a staff of office. We will pursue every legal means to protect our rights. The government should come and conduct a transparent election before this situation degenerates,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of other aspirants, retired Permanent Secretary Chief Maurice Ekete said the community’s constitution clearly stipulates that an Igwe must emerge through a transparent election.
“Our demand is simple. Let the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs conduct an election as it has done in other communities. Whoever wins should become the Igwe. We are not against anybody becoming Igwe. We are only saying that anyone who wants the throne should submit to a transparent election,” he said.
Other aspirants, Chief Joseph Iloka and Chief Josephat Ezeoha, also supported the call for a transparent election, insisting that the people must be allowed to choose their traditional ruler without interference.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
