A significant crisis is unfolding in the newly established Enu Agu autonomous community in Akpugo, Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State, over the alleged imposition of a traditional ruler and president general without any election or selection process.
Furious villagers, numbering in the hundreds, journeyed to Enugu town, questioning how just two families out of the 22 in their community could unilaterally dictate decisions without facing any resistance.
In one of their placards, the community alleged that; “The Imposition Of Chieftaincy and Town Union Leadership is a Game to Grab all the Communal Land and Mineral Resources at Enu Agu community.”
Another one reads: “We Are Praying For Quick Assistance From The Government Of Enugu State To Constitute A Pane Of Inquiry To Investigate The Communal Discrimination Against Particular Family Calling Them Slaves And They Are 98 Percent In Number While Those Impostors Are 2 Percent Residents In Enu-agu Community.”
“We are saying no to impostors Sylvester Nnaji selfacclaimed lgwe Elect and Ikenna Ogbodo self acclaimed PG of Enu-Agu autonomous Community Akpugo.”
During their protest on September 25th, 2024, Chief Hon. Barr. John Amechi Edeh presented their position to the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, their first stop. He emphasized that the representatives of the 20 families—despite not being consulted or contributing to the government in the creation of Enu Agu Autonomous Community—have accepted the new community structure.
However, he stated, “the Enu Agu Community has yet to establish a code of conduct to govern the selection, installation, and oversight of traditional rulers.”
Edeh also pointed out that, “A Town Union or Constitution to guide our leadership has not been established.”
He informed the Speaker that “despite this lack of structure, some individuals—Sylvester Ikechukwu Nnaji and Mr. Ikenna Ogbodo—have begun to impersonate the roles of traditional ruler and President General of the newly created community without any election or selection process.”
In response, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, assured the villagers that their protest would receive appropriate attention and be escalated to the relevant authorities. Represented by Hon. Magnus Edeh, the Speaker remarked that “all involved parties will be invited for a roundtable discussion” and expressed gratitude for the peaceful manner in which the protest was conducted.
The community also delivered their protest letter to the House, expressing thanks for the attention given to their concerns, and reiterated their call for an election to be conducted within their community.
Their next destination was the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftaincy Affairs, where Commissioner Deacon Okey Ogbodo received them. After listening to their grievances, Deacon Ogbodo stated that their complaint was entirely new to the ministry and assured them that the other party would be invited for a resolution.
Chief Edeh also submitted their protest letter to Lion Building, Enugu State Government House for the Governor’s consideration.
