By Isaac Mission
Hundreds of residents and indigenes of Umuchigbo Iji Nike Autonomous Community in Enugu East Local Government Area have rejected the alleged appointment of a new traditional ruler, insisting that no monarch should emerge without a transparent election conducted in line with the community's constitution.
The community members, who gathered at their village square on Saturday, maintained that the Igweship stool remains vacant and urged the Enugu State Government to direct the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to organise a proper election to determine who becomes the traditional ruler.
The protest followed reports that Chief Jude Agu had been appointed as the community's traditional ruler, a move many residents described as unconstitutional and unacceptable.
According to the protesters, the matter is already before the court, making any attempt to install a monarch before the conclusion of legal proceedings a violation of due process.
They referenced an interlocutory injunction issued by an Enugu State High Court in July 2025, which restrained Jude Agu from presenting himself as the Igwe or Igwe-elect of the community pending the determination of the substantive suit. The court also ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the case is concluded.
Community leaders warned that disregarding the court order and imposing a traditional ruler without an election could heighten tension and disrupt the peace in the area.
Several elders, youths, and aspirants to the throne addressed journalists during the gathering, unanimously insisting that only a free and transparent election should determine who occupies the royal stool.
One of the community elders, Chief Okoh Gabriel, alleged that the controversy began after the former town union chairman, Hon. Kenneth Mbah, halted an earlier election process and claimed that the government had already selected a candidate.
He maintained that the community's constitution clearly provides for the emergence of an Igwe through an election and appealed to the state government to supervise a credible voting process.
The youth leader, Anthony Ikechukwu Anike, also opposed any attempt to install a monarch without the consent of the people. He stressed that the youth would pursue every lawful means to protect the community's constitutional rights and ensure that due process is followed.
According to him, the reported presentation of a staff of office to anyone before an election is unacceptable, especially while the matter remains before the court.
Three aspirants to the Igweship position—Chief Maurice Nonyelum Ekete, Chief Joseph Iloka, and Chief Josephat Ezeoha—also called on the government to organise an open election.
Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, Ekete, a retired Permanent Secretary, explained that the community had previously begun an electoral process before it was cancelled. He argued that the constitution of Umuchigbo Iji Nike clearly outlines an election as the only legitimate process for selecting an Igwe.
He urged the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to send officials to oversee a transparent election, allowing eligible community members to choose their preferred traditional ruler through an open and credible process.
The aspirants insisted that they are not opposed to anyone becoming Igwe but believe that every interested candidate should contest fairly and allow the people to decide.
As of the time this report was filed, the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs had not issued an official response to the concerns raised by the community.
