Tensions flared in Amairoke community, Lokpaukwu Umuchieze in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, as residents took to the streets in protest against what they describe as an “unlawful imposition of leadership” and the ongoing marginalization of their community within the Eluama Autonomous Community.
Carrying placards with messages such as “Capital NO to Imposition of Leaders!”, “Respect Our Right to Elect Our Leaders!” and “Amairoke Deserves Fairness and Justice!”, protesters—comprising elders, women, youths, and community leaders—expressed outrage over the state government’s announcement of Mr. Jonah Okafor as President General and Mr. Stephen Chukwu as Youth Chairman of Amairoke without any form of election or community consultation.
“We reject this imposition in its entirety. It is undemocratic, illegitimate, and an insult to our people,” said a community elder during the protest on June 7, 2025.
The controversy stems from long-standing tensions between the Amairoke and Orota communities—both components of the Eluama Autonomous Community. While HRH Eze Moses Okwale from Orota holds the traditional stool, his brother, Borke Okwale, has assumed the role of Onowu (Traditional Prime Minister), leaving Amairoke sidelined in community affairs.
“For years, Orota has monopolized the Eze and Onowu titles while actively preventing Amairoke from occupying the President General position, which ought to rotate,” lamented one of the community youth leaders.
Attempts to restore balance through constitutional reforms were resisted. During the drafting of the Eluama community constitution, Amairoke requested that the PG position be permanently domiciled in their community, given Orota’s firm grip on both the Eze and Onowu positions. That plea was never granted.
In response to growing marginalization, Amairoke submitted a formal petition to the Governor of Abia State on August 15, 2024, citing “economic sabotage, political exclusion, and abuse of traditional authority.” On October 19, 2023, they applied for independent autonomous status through the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and elected Chief Reginald Okafor as their Eze-elect.
The community crisis had previously escalated into legal and security disputes over the control of mineral-rich sites like Agunchara 1 & 2 and Alaose, prompting the state government to broker peace. Through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, both communities agreed to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2024, while Amairoke Community signed, orota people failed to sign their part.
The MoU stipulated:
- Equal (50/50) sharing of mining royalties and economic benefits
- Binding obligations on investors to fulfill corporate social responsibilities
- Establishment of a 7-man joint peace committee
- A commitment by both sides to indemnify government and investors against disruption or litigation
This agreement ushered in a year of relative peace—now threatened by the latest unilateral pronouncement.
“We do not contest that Amairoke’s autonomy is still under state review, but what we reject is the brazen attempt to force leadership on us,” said a spokesperson for the protesting community.
The situation was further aggravated by a controversial report published by Daily Post titled “Abia State Government Disowns Autonomous Community, Says Eze-Elect Risks Prosecution”, which the community said misrepresented facts and jeopardized the peace accord.
The community has outlined four core demands:
- Immediate reversal of the imposed leadership and restoration of the people’s right to elect their leaders.
- Full implementation of the MoU agreed upon by both communities under state supervision.
- Recognition of the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as the sole authority on matters of autonomy and community leadership.
- Respect for Amairoke’s right to self-determination and equitable representation in local governance.
“We reaffirm our commitment to peace and development, but we will not accept any decision that undermines our voice, our dignity, or our identity,” the community declared in a joint statement.
This release was issued by the united voices of the Amairoke people in defense of what they describe as justice, equity, and democracy.
