The Abia Citizens Assembly, also known as Abia Club International, has petitioned Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Commissioner of Police in the state, calling for the immediate suspension, dethronement and prosecution of the traditional ruler of Akanu Autonomous Community in Item, HRH Eze Innocent Mba, over alleged voter intimidation, abuse of office and threats to the lives of community members.
The petition, dated August 1, 2026, was signed on behalf of the group by Lord Nelson Ojingwa and copied to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
In the petition, the group alleged that a viral video circulating on social media captured the monarch directing members of his community to support a particular political party and candidate ahead of forthcoming elections.
According to the petitioners, the traditional ruler allegedly warned that anyone who failed to comply with his directive would have “the spirits of the land” invoked against them.
The group described the alleged remarks as an abuse of the traditional institution and a violation of the Abia State Autonomous Community Law, which requires traditional rulers to remain neutral and non-partisan in political matters.
According to the petition, the monarch’s conduct amounted to intimidation of voters, abuse of office and a breach of his oath as a custodian of peace and culture.
“Recently, video footage widely circulating on social media and across various digital platforms explicitly records HRH Eze Innocent Mba addressing members of our traditional rulers council,” the petition stated.
“In the video, the traditional ruler is seen aggressively mandating members of the community to vote strictly for a specific political candidate/party in upcoming elections.”
The petitioners further alleged that the monarch escalated the situation by issuing what they described as spiritual death threats against residents who refused to support his preferred candidate.
“More disturbingly, HRH Eze Innocent Mba explicitly threatened that any subject or community member who fails or refuses to vote for his preferred political candidate will have the ‘spirits of the land’ invoked against them to cause their death,” the group alleged.
The Abia Citizens Assembly argued that the alleged actions violated both the state’s chieftaincy laws and Nigeria’s electoral and criminal laws.
The group maintained that traditional rulers occupy an apolitical office and should not use their positions to influence electoral choices or intimidate citizens.
It also contended that threatening residents, whether physically or through alleged spiritual sanctions, constituted criminal intimidation and an assault on the constitutional rights of voters to freely exercise their franchise.
According to the petitioners, the alleged conduct also poses a threat to public peace and could trigger communal unrest if not addressed.
As part of its demands, the group urged Governor Otti to immediately suspend and dethrone the monarch for what it described as “flagrant abuse of office, partisan politicking, and conduct unbecoming of a recognized royal father.”
It also called on the governor to withdraw the monarch’s Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office and direct the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to put in place interim measures to preserve peace in the community pending the emergence of a new traditional ruler.
The petition equally urged the Commissioner of Police to launch an immediate investigation into the allegations contained in the viral video and prosecute the monarch if found culpable.
The group further requested increased security presence in Akanu Autonomous Community to protect residents from what it described as fear of political intimidation and possible reprisals.
“Allowing a traditional monarch to weaponize his position, threaten the lives of his subjects, and destroy democratic choice sets a dangerous precedent for Abia State.
“We trust in your prompt intervention to uphold the rule of law, protect innocent lives, and restore dignity to the traditional institution in our state.
“We stand ready to present the digital video recordings and further testimonial evidence to assist your investigation,” the petition added.
Neither Governor Alex Otti, the Abia State Government, the Nigeria Police Force nor HRH Eze Innocent Mba had publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition as of the time of filing this report.
