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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Tension is rising in Ameke Oduma Autonomous Community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, following plans by the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to proceed with a controversial traditional ruler’s election scheduled for today, despite pending court cases and restraining orders.
Residents and stakeholders in the community have warned that the situation could degenerate into a major breakdown of law and order if the exercise goes ahead as planned.
At the centre of the crisis is the unresolved issue surrounding the community’s Igwe-elect, Chief Patrick Nwagbara, whose formal installation has remained stalled due to a lingering case before the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, marked CA/135/2019.
The situation was further complicated by an earlier ruling of the Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice C.A. Ogbuabor (PhD) in Suit No: E/1068/2025, which restrained Nelson Chibuzor Mbah from parading himself as the President-General of the community’s town union.
However, community stakeholders alleged that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Ada-John Nwoye, allegedly bypassed the court order by exchanging official correspondence with the restrained President-General in preparation for the proposed election.
According to the stakeholders, no valid chieftaincy election can legally hold without a duly constituted and recognised town union executive.
In what many described as a move to prevent possible violence, Chief Nwagbara has filed a fresh suit before the Enugu State High Court against the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs. The fresh suit, marked E/E/494/25, is seeking, among other reliefs, “a declaration nullifying the secret exchange of letters between the Ministry and the restrained town union faction.”
The suit is also seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Chieftaincy Ministry from conducting any election or disrupting the peace of the community.”
