A crisis is brewing in Isiagu Akpawfu, an autonomous community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, over moves to install a traditional ruler without holding an election.
Reports show that the chieftaincy dispute is still being handled at the Court of Appeal, yet one Prince Tony Ike Okoye has already been issued a Certificate of Return—a decision that many locals strongly oppose.
Disqualified Candidate Cries Foul
Speaking to journalists over the weekend, Chief James Ede Ogbu, one of the candidates for the Igweship title, said he was wrongly disqualified from the race. According to him, he was told he is not a native of the community, a claim he called “laughable.”
“I’m from Obodo Onovo Nwowo, and that’s a gazetted part of this community,” Ogbu said. “Saying I’m not from here just doesn’t make sense.”
He believes the removal of his family name from the community register was intentional—a deliberate move to prevent him from contesting.
No Election Held, Ogbu Insists
Ogbu argued that according to their community’s constitution, a traditional ruler can only emerge through a properly conducted election, not by imposition.
He claimed that while three candidates, including himself, had been cleared by the electoral committee, Prince Okoye later got a court injunction to stop the process.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Ogbu said he was shocked to learn that Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Okey Ogbodo, officially recognized Okoye as the community’s Igwe on April 26, 2025—without any election.
Calls for Governor’s Intervention
Feeling sidelined and unfairly treated, Ogbu appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene in the matter.
“I feel cheated and oppressed,” he said, urging the governor to step in and ensure justice is done.
Backing his claim, the Assistant Secretary of the community’s town union, Ede Stephen, said it’s not true that Ogbu isn’t from the community.
“That’s a lie,” Stephen said. “Conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal. We don’t want any Igwe imposed on us. We haven’t elected anyone yet. We want to follow due process.”
