Tension rises in Enugu community over alleged imposition of traditional ruler
Tension has reportedly gripped Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State over allegations that a traditional ruler was appointed without following the community’s electoral process.

The development followed reports that a staff of office had been presented to Jude Agu, who was allegedly named as the community’s monarch despite claims by residents that the community’s constitution requires an election for the emergence of an Igwe.

During a gathering at the community’s village square attended by hundreds of indigenes, residents declared that Umuchigbo Iji Nike currently has no recognised traditional ruler until a proper election is conducted.

The indigenes called on Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to direct the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to organise an election in line with the community’s constitution.

The controversy has also been linked to an ongoing legal dispute, with residents alleging that the reported appointment contravened an existing court order.
An Enugu State High Court order dated July 25, 2025, reportedly restrained parties involved from parading or presenting anyone as the Igwe or Igwe-elect of Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The suit listed Chief Maurice Nonyelum Ekete as the plaintiff, while Chief Jude Agu and Hon. Kenneth Mbah were named as defendants.
Justice A. A. Onovo, in the ruling, ordered parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Speaking during the gathering, community elders, youths and aspirants to the Igweship throne condemned what they described as an attempt to impose a monarch on the people.
They insisted that the only acceptable process was a transparent election, warning that bypassing the constitutional procedure could create unnecessary crisis in the community.
Chief Okoh Gabriel, an elder and stakeholder, accused former town union chairman, Hon. Kenneth Mbah, of contributing to the controversy by allegedly supporting a selection process instead of an election.
He said the community was prepared for an election and urged the state government to allow the people to choose their traditional ruler.

“The reason for our gathering is because of Igweship; we have a constitution guiding the choice of Igwe. If Jude Agu wants to be Igwe of Umuchigbo, he should come to our village square and contest,” Okoh stated.
The youth leader of the community, Anike Anthony Ikechukwu, also warned against actions that could trigger unrest, saying youths would use legal means to defend their right to participate in choosing their traditional leader.
He alleged that the matter was still before the court but that some individuals had gone ahead with moves to install a monarch.

Aspirants to the throne, including Chief Maurice Nonyelum Ekete, Chief Joseph Iloka and Chief Josephat Ezeoha, also called for an election.
Ekete, a retired permanent secretary and former General Assembly Secretary of the community, said the community’s constitution clearly provides for an electoral process rather than appointment.

He urged the government to send representatives to supervise a transparent election where candidates would contest and the winner would emerge as Igwe.
“We are not saying that somebody cannot be Igwe. We are saying whoever wants to be Igwe should feel free to present himself to the people. Nothing else we are saying,” Ekete said.
Other aspirants, Chief Iloka and Chief Ezeoha, supported the call for a transparent election, insisting that the people’s choice must determine who becomes the traditional ruler.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.