Villagers protest alleged imposition of monarch, town union president in Enugu

The people of the newly created Enu Agu Autonomous Community, Akpugo in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have asked the state government to wade into the controversy surrounding the Igweship stool in the community.

They expressed strong opposition to the alleged recognition of Mr. Sylvester Nnaji as the traditional ruler of the community.

The villagers, numbering in the hundreds, including men, women, and youths, first marched to the state House of Assembly before moving to the state’s Government House, clutching placards with various inscriptions depicting their grievances.

They, therefore, demanded the nullification of the letter of recognition erroneously given to Nnaji as the Igwe-elect of the community.

In a statement issued by Chief Steven Aninnenji and Mr. Gabriel Edeh, the national chairman and secretary of Enu Agu Community, respectively, the people, who described the alleged recognition as an infringement of the traditional selection process in Enugu State, appealed to Governor Peter Mba to constitute a panel of inquiry in respect to the above subject matter to allow justice, rule of law, and equity to be done in the community.

The Guardian gathered that the controversy began after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi created the Enu Agu Autonomous Community in May 2023 before leaving office.

It was further learned that the people of the new community, which had hitherto never had a constituted town union, were on the verge of coming together after its creation to discuss or agree on the code of conduct that governs the selection, installation, and discipline of the traditional ruler of Enu Agu to be installed.

They were also planning on how the town union leadership would be constituted before some individuals allegedly presented themselves as the leaders of the community to be recognized.

“Chief Sylvester Nnaji (who parades himself as Igwe-elect of Enu Agu Autonomous Community) with Mr. Ikenna Ogbodo (parading himself as the President General) and Mike Anike (parading himself as Onowu). These men are doing everything within their power to foist themselves on the good people of Enu Agu Community and rule over them without their consent. The disposition of these men clearly does not accord with democratic principles, the traditional rulers’ law of Enugu State, and the laws governing town unions.

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“Furthermore, Enu Agu Autonomous Community Akpugo, Nkanu West, is made up of twenty-two families—one major family is made up of twenty (20) families, while the minor family is made up of two (2) families—but the two minor families went behind to hijack both the traditional ruler and town union of Enu Agu Community without the consent of the other major families of twenty, though we break down the names of the families in the attached community resolution in this report, sir.

“It is on the above premises that we implore you, Hon. Commissioner Sir, to use your good offices to intervene and ensure that the new Autonomous Community is not thrown into political and leadership crises, which could engender a total breakdown of law and order,” they said.

Responding to the protesters, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, represented by Ede Magnus, a member representing Aninri State Constituency, promised to wade into the matter for a quick and peaceful resolution.

He said: “Of course, you know that we are here for the people, and we are here to speak for the people; to defend the defenseless. So, in a situation like this, we must show keen interest.

“We are happy and thank you all for remaining peaceful. We will bring all the people involved for a peaceful resolution of the whole issue.

“I give applause to your representatives for ensuring that you are peaceful. Even if we meet the governor, you know he’s a lover of peace. He’ll want to know how you conducted yourselves.

“Be assured that we will not support any impostors who claim to be your Igwe and President General.”

Meanwhile, supporters of Nnaji urged the state government to disregard the protesters, saying they were hired to create confusion in the community.

Gregory Edeh, who spoke for the group, stated that the recognition of Nnaji was in order, stressing that he met every “requirement to ascend the Igweship stool of the community.”