Tension is mounting in Ozom Mgbagbu Owa Autonomous Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State over an alleged disagreement surrounding the forthcoming election of a new traditional ruler.
The controversy centres on the interpretation of the community’s constitution, which provides for a rotational arrangement among its council wards in producing the Igwe of the community.
The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), in a letter dated October 6, 2026, and signed by its President, Olu Omotayo, Esq., urged Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, to intervene in the dispute ahead of the election scheduled for October 10.
CRRAN said the issue followed a September 29 meeting with the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, C.C. Egumgbe, Esq., at the ministry’s conference hall, where the commissioner reportedly acknowledged that Ezedume Council Ward, designated Ward 9, was next in line to produce the candidates under the community’s rotational arrangement.
According to the group, the previous Igwe, Igwe Raymond Oguji, was from Ward 8, comprising Umuoma, Umuowe and Umuewo, thereby making Ezedume Ward the next ward entitled to produce candidates.
CRRAN, however, alleged that a subsequent development had created confusion over the process after the President-General of the community, Ozo Ikechukwu Ike, reportedly stated in a WhatsApp voice message that, acting on the instruction of the ministry’s Director, Alex Ngene, both Ezedume Ward 9 and Okunito Ward 10 would be allowed to present candidates for the election.
The rights group said the alleged directive had raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and adherence to the community’s constitution.
“The hallmark of democracy is respect for the Rule of law Accountability and Transparency in Governance. The government must at all times be accountable to the citizens,” CRRAN stated.
The organisation further said available video evidence showed that the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs had acknowledged the rotational provision of the community’s constitution during the September 29 meeting.
“The video evidence clearly shows that the Honorable Commissioner acknowledged the Constitution of the Community, when he stated that based on the Constitution of the community it is now the turn of the No.9. council ward i.e Ezedume Council Ward to produce the candidates for election of Igwe of the community,” the group said.
CRRAN therefore called on Governor Mbah to intervene and ensure that the October 10 election is conducted in accordance with the community’s constitution and the decision reached at the September 29 meeting.
“We demand in an unequivocal terms that the constitution of the people of Ozom Mgbagbu Owa Community, be upheld. The will of the people, their constitution and the decision made at the meeting presided over by the Hon. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs on the 29th September 2026, should be uphold and respected,” CRRAN said.
The group warned that failure to resolve the disagreement before the election could further heighten tension in the community, urging the state government to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of peace and order.
