The People of Enu-Agu Autonomous Community in Akpugo, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, are urgently appealing to Governor Peter Mbah for intervention in what they deem an alarming attempt by impostors to usurp control of their community. Their goal appears to be the sale of communal lands and exploitation of other local resources.
On Friday, the community issued a statement to journalists, signed by Mr. AnniNneji Sunday, National Chairman of Enugu Agu village; Chief Festus Chukwuemeka Chukwuma, President General of Ugwuafor Autonomous Community; Chief Felix Ikechukwu Edeh, National Chairman of Offiaigweshi village; and Chief Michael Edeh, Former Traditional Prime Minister of Ugwuafor Autonomous Community.
They urge the state government to take swift action to alleviate growing tensions in the community, exacerbated by the imposition of a traditional ruler and President General chosen by only two of the 22 families that make up Enu-Agu.
The statement calls for the establishment of a Panel of Inquiry to investigate the discrimination faced by certain families, who are unjustly labeled as outsiders despite representing 98 percent of the community’s population, while the impostors constitute only 2 percent of the residents.
“We seek immediate assistance from the Enugu State Government to form a panel of inquiry into the community discrimination against specific families who are wrongly regarded as ‘slaves.’ It is crucial to recognize that the majority of the community’s people—98 percent—are its true indigenes,” the statement asserts.
“Our position is clear: the representatives of the other 20 families have reluctantly accepted the new community structure, despite their lack of consultation or contribution to the formation of Enu-Agu Autonomous Community. However, a code of conduct to guide the selection, installation, and oversight of traditional rulers has yet to be established, nor has a Town Union or Constitution been created to govern our leadership.”
“Our demands are simple: we ask our esteemed Governor Barr. Peter Mbah to come to our aid by facilitating an election within the community to avert a potential crisis.”
“We are aware of the backers of these impostors—individuals who have long sought to seize lands under different guises like ‘Umuedewoko, Umuchiwoko, and Umuevu Njokueji.’ They orchestrated their takeover through the creation of Enu-Agu Autonomous Community, branding it as their ‘family community,’ and have written into the chieftaincy constitution that control will be held perpetually by the ‘Umueji Igweoyi Family.’”
“These conspirators have sold substantial portions of community land to the Tire Association in Coal Camp, Enugu, for 1 million naira per plot, amounting to a total of 81 million naira for 81 plots. However, we remain hopeful that the Enugu State Government will intervene to revoke these transactions, given the absence of proper documentation.”
The statement also counters claims made by the impostors, denouncing the assertion that Labour Party chieftain Amaechi John Ede is an outsider as nothing more than a blatant lie and malicious attempt at blackmail.
“We disavow the fabrications and falsehoods propagated by the self-proclaimed Igwe elect of our autonomous community, Mr. Sylvester Nnaji, and Ikenna Ogbodo, who claims to be the President General of Enu-Agu Autonomous Community.”
“In their misguided attempts to discredit Chief John Edeh (Chief Okaa Oburu Uzo), who ran for the Nkanu East/West Federal constituency in the 2023 general elections, they falsely claimed he is not from Enu-Agu Autonomous Community.”
“This is untrue. Chief Edeh was born and raised in Enu-Agu and has significantly contributed to its development.”
“It is a despicable lie, perpetuated by impostors Sylvester Nnaji and Ikenna Ogbodo, to suggest that Labour Party chieftain Chief Barr John Amaechi Edeh (Okaaoburuzo) is inciting communal conflict. He is well-loved by the people of Enu Agu and has led peaceful protests against the injustices, intimidation, and discrimination orchestrated by these impostors.”
“Moreover, we question why Ikenna Ogbodo and Sylvester Nnaji would involve political matters in what is fundamentally a peaceful community demonstration. Their actions reflect their ulterior motives to manufacture discord under the guise of politics; this is not a party issue—it is a matter of community integrity.”
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