Mburubu Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has been embroiled in a traditional leadership dispute since 2023, a conflict that has cast the community in a negative light in media reports. While the feud appeared to be nearing resolution between March and September 2025, a fresh round of conflict erupted in October 2025. During this period, many falsehoods were circulated about the history of the community’s leadership tussle and alleged abuses against community members, particularly by individuals affiliated with the current state government.
Recently, an empirical fact-finding investigation was conducted to uncover the root causes of the conflict and to identify a long-lasting solution, as the atmosphere in Mburubu once again demanded accurate information and collective memory.
The investigation was conducted by Community Peace International, a South East-based non-governmental organization that promotes peace and rural development. The NGO sought to counter the misinformation spread by some community leaders with vested interests in the traditional leadership stool and challenged false claims against one of the contenders. Through their work, the complex history of Mburubu became clearer to observers previously confused by conflicting narratives. The intervention provided insight into the forces that have shaped authority contests in the community.
On March 6, 2025, Chief Simon Anobi published a piece entitled “Facts Behind Mburubu Igwership Tussle” across various media platforms. Investigation revealed that his claims were motivated by personal interests and contained falsehoods about his community. The publication generated tensions and drew responses from residents who considered the narrative a misrepresentation of the historical process of leadership selection in Mburubu.
During that period, community leader Mr. Edwin Ezeh wrote a counter-publication, refuting all falsehoods and calling on all parties to withdraw their court cases and allow the people to determine leadership directly. He emphasized that history must precede politics, and that every contender must respect the principles established by the founders of the community structure. His position revived memories of how leadership traditionally emerged in Mburubu, prompting the NGO’s investigation.
Mburubu Leadership Origin
Mburubu Community Igweship began in 1976 with the selection of the late HRH E. M. O. Ezeh. Prior to his coronation, the community gathered and called him to lead due to his love for the people and his contributions to their growth. Before his emergence, Mburubu had chiefs representing the community, including Chief Chukwu Anyiene from Obinagu and others from Uhuagu. The late Igwe hailed from Umudara, and his leadership was embraced as a continuation of collective progress.
In accordance with military government directives, Mburubu agreed to have an Igwe, and he was crowned in April 1976. By July 1976, the government, led by Col. Arthur Mkpere, issued him a certificate of recognition and a staff of office. During his coronation at Umudara Village Square, the late Igwe asked the community whether he could be succeeded by his son, but they declined. They affirmed that his Igweship resulted from his good deeds, and that his successor must come from another village, accepted by the majority. This agreement established the rotation system, known as the 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community Constitution, gazetted with the Enugu State Government.
Despite the late Igwe being the majority choice, Anthony Nweke Chukwu from Uhuagu and another man from Umudara contested his selection. His emergence was based on popularity and service, not village seniority. A seniority dispute arose when Ogbede Nwaonyeabor of Umudara challenged Uhuegbe village’s claim to seniority, arguing that Umudara had settled in Mburubu earlier. This sparked a long-standing debate, partially resolved by traditional purification rituals. Uhuegbe village still contests seniority today, making the issue a matter of perspective rather than fact.
The 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution
Before 2003, Mburubu unions operated independently under the Mburubu Progressive Union (MPU), led by figures including Chief Nweke Onovo, Chief Sylvanus Njoku, and the late Chief Emmanuel Ezechukwu. In 1993, Engr. Dr. D. C. Chukwu led intellectuals to establish a formal constitution guiding the union, which did not interfere with traditional leadership.
Conflict emerged in July 2003 with the inauguration of Chief Simon Anobi as a factional Town Union President, opposing Chief Boniface Ogbede. A committee led by the late Mr. Aniebonam Igbudu drafted a new constitution without involving the Igwe cabinet. Items were added secretly, extending Anobi’s tenure from three to five years. The community later nullified the constitution and held a confirmatory election in January 2004, which Anobi won.
Town Union Elections and Leadership Manipulations
Economic influence and personal interests have enabled some individuals to manipulate leadership selection. One of the late Igwe’s sons and Chief Anobi influenced the imposition of candidates like Mr. Celestine Chukwu from Uhuagu Village despite local opposition. Subsequent disputes led to zoning conflicts, with Prince Ezeh attempting to favor his allies for the presidency, often against community consensus.
Emergence of Engr. Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe
After the late Igwe’s death in December 2021 and burial in April 2022, the community sought a successor who would prioritize development, youth inclusion, and community interest. Following the 1976 coronation agreement, Ọzọ Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe was overwhelmingly selected. He was formally informed and consulted with the local government and Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters between December 28, 2023, and January 6, 2024.
On February 2, 2024, the community held a grand reception funded by community donations. Prince Ezeh and Chief Anobi attempted to disrupt the event using thugs, but the community and Onuokaibe ensured the safety of attendees.
Prince Ezeh and Anobi also attempted to conduct an Igweship election using the controversial 2003 Town Union constitution, which was neither approved nor gazetted, ignoring the 1976 constitution and the community’s population of over 30,000. A court injunction prevented this election.
The Way Forward
Courts cannot appoint traditional rulers; the people do. Mburubu residents must unite, withdraw all court cases, reject violence and intimidation, and allow the 1976 precedent to guide leadership. All parties should allow male and female indigenes aged 18 and above to participate, as done during the 2004 confirmation election.
This is a pure lies and should be debunked, you can publish a false narrative and call it “Emperical fact”
Stop igniting fire in mburubu community with cheap lies