Ebonyi Community Ezeship Tussle: Government Declares Impostor Wanted, as Crisis Increases

There is uneasy calm in the Ogboji Ezzagu Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State over claims to the Chieftaincy stool of the community by a  well-known Native Doctor, Chinedu Nwaknwo, (a.k.a. Omere Eme).                               
The claim has resulted in a face-off between Chief Nwankwo and a faction of the community leadership led by Sir. Mike Oficina Nworie, alleged that the claimant was guilty of some fraudulent deals, which make him unsuitable to wear the crown.

They accused the South African-based native doctor of having selfishly imposed himself as the traditional ruler elect of Ogboji Community, a community they noted had enjoyed peace and concord against the rules and regulations governing the traditional institution in Ebonyi State. 

                               
They also accused Native Doctor Nwankwo of being responsible for the present chieftaincy dispute in the Ogboji community, which had continued for some months due to his overzealous ambition to occupy the Chieftaincy stool, even when he knew that he was not qualified for the position, mainly due to his unenviable records.

 Our correspondent gathered that after the demise of the former traditional ruler of Ogboji years ago, the Community set up a committee with the responsibility of selecting and presenting the most suitable candidate as their traditional ruler and his subsequent presentation to the state government for recognition.
Our correspondent also reliably gathered that the face-off between the two factions was heightened when Mr. Chinedu Nwankwo rejected his disqualification by the community’s screening committee for alleged forgery/falsification of GCE and birth certificates and perjury. 

      
Sources said that after the verdict, rather than accepting the outcome of the screening, Mr . Nwankwo had been busy parading himself as the traditional ruler of Ogboji Ezzagu Community, thereby creating disorder in the Community.
It was also learned that the deposed leader of the community, Mr. John Anyalegu allegedly, in total disregard of Executive Order No. 002 of 2021 and constituted authorities, including Community stakeholders, caused Mr. Nwankwo to be coronated on December 17, 2021, and the video of the event went viral to the shock of all peace-loving citizens of Ogboji community.

“Because of the breach of the Executive Order of the State Government, all those involved in the illegal act  (including Omere Eme) were declared wanted by Ebonyi State Government and the Security Agencies (Police) were directed to arrest and possibly prosecute the offenders, including the self-acclaimed traditional ruler, Chinedu Nwankwo.” Our source alleged.

Recall that on 2nd November 2021, Hon. Donatus Odii Njoku, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development had dissolved the parallel caretaker committees of Ogboji Ezzagu General Assembly led by Mr. Chris Ngwuta and Mr. John Anyalegu and inaugurated another Caretaker Committee. 
We learned from the office of the Hon. Commissioner, that a-nine-man Caretaker Committee led by Sir. Michael Oficina Nworie with Mr. Joseph Nworie as the Secretary, Chief Clement Oshima, Treasurer, Mr. Godwin C. Ezeaka, the PRO, Cyprian Nworie, Dr. David Nwele, Donatus Nwekpa, Samuel Chima, and Emeka Ogbodo are members of the committee. 
In their reaction to the development in Ogboji, the Ebonyi State Government stated that ‘the ‘attention of the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development has been drawn to the activities of some miscreants in Ogboji Ezzagu Autonomous Community of Ishielu LGA that is capable of truncating peace and order that exist in the community.

“In line with Ebonyi State Government policy, especially Executive Order No. 002 of 2021 on Town Union Leaderships and Traditional Rulers selection and election, the Ministry wishes to state as follows:-

“1. That given the standard already put in place in the State by His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi, Ezeship selection and election in the State is not a childish play nor that of a fraudster.

“2. That the activities of one Native Doctor Chinedu Nwankwo and his cohorts who were seen on Video trying to plunge the community into crisis should be dis-countenanced as such activities were dead on arrival.

“3. That the said Native Doctor Chinedu Nwankwo and his partners are hereby declared wanted and should be arrested and prosecuted by the Police in line with the laws of the State to serve as a deterrent to others.

“4. The Ministry wishes to make it categorically clear that only the Town Union leadership recognized for Ogboji Ezzagu Autonomous Community is that led by Sir Michael Nworie O. as the National President.

“Communities of the State are hereby informed that elections of traditional rulers are at the moment put on hold till further notice”. Government ordered.

“The Good people of Ogboji Ezzagu Autonomous Community and the General Public are hereby informed to disregard any Impostors claiming to have been coronated or to have coronated any person the Traditional Ruler of Ezzagu Autonomous Community.

“Ebonyi State Government has extended the tenure of the Caretaker Committee of Ogboji Ezzagu General Assembly for another six (6) months with effect from 1st February 2022.The extension is contained in a letter emanating from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters, and Rural Development with reference number EBSG/MLGCMRD/AD.03/VOL.1/1/08 dated 20th January 2022 addressed to the Acting President General, Ogboji Ezzagu General Assembly, Ishielu LGA.

The extension of the tenure of the caretaker committee, Government noted was a sequel to the renewed crisis in the community which is inimical to the peace process in the selection of Traditional Ruler and Town Union Executives of Ogboji Ezzagu”. 

The state government, however, added that the caretaker Committee is saddled with three core responsibilities of reviewing the Constitution of Ogboji Ezzagu General Assembly, electing the traditional ruler and as well, elect the substantive Executives of Ogboji Ezzagu General Assembly.

The Government directed that the above mandates were to be carried out in line with Executive Order No. 002 of 2021 for the Selection, Recognition, and Installation of Traditional Rulers in Ebonyi State and Constitution/Election of Town Union Executives in  Ebonyi State. 

The government also made it clear that the purpose of the Order is to prevent crisis and/or breach of peace and harmony in various communities within Ebonyi State. 

When contacted, the embattled Native Doctor said that his sworn enemies were those opposing his installation as the traditional ruler of the Community.

He enumerated his contributions to the development of Ogboji and its citizens, adding that these were the basis of the support of the people for his aspiration, and described all the allegations leveled against him as not only the handiwork of his enemies but a calculated attempt to smear his reputation.

More details in our subsequent publication.