Residents insist on election of monarch, reject alleged imposition

Alleged disruption of the traditional ruler’s election and attempt to impose a candidate on the people of Ozom Community in Aguobu Owa has created tension that has escalated to other communities in Enugu State.

In a petition dated November 2, 2026, addressed to Governor Peter Mbah, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network raised the alarm over the deteriorating security situation and the blatant disregard for due process in the selection of traditional rulers across the state.

The petition, signed by CRRAN President Olu Omotayo, noted that the increasing conflicts and disruptions of traditional ruler elections in Enugu State point to a disturbing lack of transparency and a failure by the supervising ministry to uphold the rule of law.

According to the petition, the latest crisis unfolded on October 3, 2026, during the election of the Igwe of Ozom Community.

The community alleged that the election was sabotaged by officials who attempted to forcefully impose a candidate on the people.

Giving a background to the incident, the aggrieved community members noted that a conciliatory meeting was convened on September 30, 2026, at the instance of the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Charles Egumgbe, where it was agreed by all parties that the election would proceed on the initially scheduled date.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Kevin Nwachukwu, further issued a directive on October 2, 2026, urging the community to remain peaceful and law-abiding. The community complied, turning out en masse to exercise their civic right to elect their leader.

However, what was supposed to be a peaceful democratic process allegedly turned into a scene of sabotage.

According to the petition, a team was invited solely to outline and administer the logistical modalities for the voting.

“Instead of carrying out this mandatethe team unilaterally attempted to alter the process by reading a prepared text designed to fraudulently impose a pre-selected candidate on the community without opening the floor for voting,” the petition read.

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Recognising this blatant disenfranchisement and subversion of justice, the law-abiding community raised immediate objections and prevented the unauthorised declaration from being executed.

The petition emphasized that the majority of the community members maintained that this calculated attempt not only breached traditional and constitutional processes but also constituted a direct defiance of the peaceful path brokered by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs.

The petition also highlighted the financial burden on the community, noting that the Ozom Community Concerned Citizens had bored all the payments to the ministry as well as the entire arrangements for a peaceful election on behalf of the community.

To avert an imminent breach of peace, breakdown of law and order, and to preserve the sacred customs and collective will of the Ozom people, CRRAN demanded that Mbah, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, take immediate action.

The rights group told the governor, “Nullify and set aside any unauthorised declaration, statement, or purported outcome orchestrated by any group.

“Order a transparent and credible election where the sovereign will of Ndi Ozom is allowed to prevail through a proper, open voting process under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and recognised community leadership.

“Declare and uphold only the authentic choice that emerges freely through recognised electoral guidelines and customs of Ozom people.”

The petition further called for accountability and transparency in governance, stressing that the government must at all times be accountable to the citizens.

CRRAN disclosed that there is video evidence online showing the disapproval of the majority of residents against the attempted imposition of a candidate, with a compact disc containing the footage attached to the petition.

The group warned that failure to uphold the will of the people, their constitution, and the decision made at the September 30 meeting will only worsen the cycle of impunity and unrest in the state.