Hundreds of indigenes of Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area have rejected the alleged appointment of a traditional ruler, insisting that only a transparent election can produce the community’s next monarch.
The residents, who gathered at the community square on Saturday, declared that the community has no recognised traditional ruler and appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to direct the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to conduct an election in line with the community’s constitution.
The protest follows reports that Chief Jude Agu had been appointed as the traditional ruler of the community, a move the indigenes described as unconstitutional and capable of causing tension.
The community also cited a subsisting order of the Enugu State High Court, which restrained Chief Jude Agu from parading himself as the Igwe or Igwe-elect of Umuchigbo Iji Nike pending the determination of a substantive suit before the court.
Addressing journalists, community elders, youths and Igweship aspirants unanimously rejected what they described as an attempt to impose a monarch without the consent of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the elders, Chief Gabriel Okoh alleged that the controversy stemmed from the cancellation of an earlier planned election, insisting that the community remains committed to a democratic selection process.
The youth leader, Anthony Ikechukwu Anike, warned against actions capable of destabilising the community, maintaining that the youths would pursue all lawful means to ensure the emergence of a traditional ruler through a transparent election.
Also speaking, one of the Igweship aspirants, Chief Maurice Nonyelum Ekete, said the community’s constitution clearly stipulates election as the legitimate process for selecting an Igwe.
Ekete, alongside other aspirants including Chief Joseph Iloka and Chief Josephat Ezeoha, urged the Enugu State Government to deploy officials to conduct a free and fair election, stressing that only a transparent process would guarantee peace and legitimacy.
The indigenes warned that disregarding the court order and imposing a traditional ruler could heighten tensions within the community, calling on the state government to intervene promptly to preserve peace and uphold the rule of law.
