Ugwuanyi intervenes in Enugu community traditional rulership tussle

The Enugu state government has waded into the crisis over the traditional ruler’s stool in Igga community, Uzouwani local government council of the state. State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi disclosed this when he met with  members of the community who stormed the government house in protest over the alleged imposition of Chief Herbert Ukuta as the Monarch of the community.

Tempers had risen in  the community in the last few weeks that news filtered in that Ukuta had been issued with certificate of recognition and staff of office as the community’s traditional ruler by the Commissioner of Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Fide Ani, despite a legal dispute that had arisen over the issue in the community.The last occupant to the seat, Igwe F.C Ukuta died about 20 years ago and since then, no other persons had assumed the throne.

Yesterday however, hundreds of members of the community made up of the elderly, men, women and youths besieged Enugu government house in protest over the declaration, insisting that it defiled the constitution of the community adopted and signed into law in 2001 by the eldest persons and representatives of the four villages in the community as well as executives of the town union.

But Igwe Ukuta, when contacted however dismissed the protesters as “impostors”, saying their mission was illegal and unknown to the community.