…Community Demands Free and Fair Election
The Alor-Agu community in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State experienced a significant transition following the death of its traditional ruler, Igwe S. O. Ameh, in 2018. This event initiated the process of selecting a new Igwe, as per the community's customs and traditions.
_*Below is a chronological overview of the key events and developments:*_
*1. 7th October, 2019: Nomination/Selection Of Chief by Amikpo Clan.*
According to the rotational leadership system in Alor-Agu which has three clans; Uwani, Ejuona Amikpo, the responsibility to nominate the next Igwe fell to the Amikpo clan. After internal consultations and deliberations, the clan selected Mr. Christian Ugwuanyi, a retired headmaster, as their candidate for the Igweship. This decision was formalized by 10am on October 7, 2019, when the clan selected and endorsed at *Otobo Awenu* Chief Christian Ugwuanyi, a retired headmaster as their Igwe designate.
The nomination came after two aspirants, ASP Attama Augustine (Rtd) and High Chief Robinson Onah stepped down for Mr Christian Ugwuanyi, with one of the five aspirants (Chief Gilbert Ngwu Ogbu) agreed to go with any decision made by Amikpo people, but the youngest among them and long aged politician, Hon. Okwudili Omeke disagreed with the decision of Amikpo Elders in Council, as well as the entire youths of Amikpo.
*2. 23rd November, 2019: Presentation of Igweship Candidate*
The Amikpo clan of Alor-Agu formally presented Mr. Christian Ugwuanyi as their candidate for the Igweship position. The event, held at the community primary school, was attended by various stakeholders, including community leaders and residents.
Following his nomination, Mr. Ugwuanyi received endorsement from the town union, *Alor-Agu Progressive Union (AAPU)*.
*3. 30th December, 2019: Presentation to Local Government Authorities*
Following the community's endorsement, the Alor-Agu Progressive Union (AAPU) sent a delegation led by the then Town Union President, Barr. Cosmas Ugwu, to present Mr. Christian Ugwuanyi to the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area Chairman at the time, Hon. Peter Andy Omeje. The Chairman received the delegation warmly and promised to forward the necessary documents to the state government to facilitate the issuance of a certificate of recognition to Mr. Ugwuanyi.
*4. 19th March 2021: Adjournment of AAPU Election*
The AAPU NEC Election slated to hold on the 19th of March 2021 was canceled by the Enugu State Ministry of Rural Development as a result of some irregularities. This is because whoever becomes the elected town union president will be in charge of setting up committee to oversee the Igweship election, thus the high interest in the town union elections that led to some irregularities.
*5. 31st March 2021: Appointment of AAPU Caretaker Committee*
On 31 March, 2021, the Ministry of Rural Development inaugurated a new AAPU Caretaker Committee led by retired Air Force Wing Commander James Obetta to manage the affairs of the community. The committee served for a year, working tirelessly to restore peace but faced multiple petitions, which ultimately led to their removal.
*6. 20th May 2023: Alor-Agu People Invoke Nwa Ada Adoro Deity to Ensure Free and Fair Igweship Election*
Alor-Agu people a day to Igweship election, 20th May 2023, invoked the Nwa Ada Adoro deity to ensure a free and fair Igweship election, vowed to resist rigging, impersonation and violence. Non-indigenes attempting to interfere do so at their own peril.
*7. 21 May, 2023: Disruption of Igweship Election*
As against the selection process that the community had followed from inception. As a result of Okwu Omeke’s efforts against Amikpo decision. An election was fixed on the 21st of May, 2023. Unfortunately, the election scheduled on this date to select the new Igwe (traditional ruler) of Alor-Agu was disrupted. Supporters of one of the candidates, Okwu Omeke, were reported to have caused disturbances, leading to the election's derailment. This incident contributed to ongoing tensions and an unresolved leadership crisis in the community.
*8. 10th October, 2023: Community Protest for Free and Fair Election*
In response to the prolonged Igweship tussle, members of the Alor-Agu community, including elders, youths and political party executives, organized a protest demanding a transparent election process. They appealed to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to uphold their democratic rights and ensure that the Igweship election is conducted without political interference. Placards with messages such as "Say no to partisan politics in Igweship election in Alor-Agu" highlighted their concerns about potential biases in the electoral process.
*9. 29 November 2023: Appointment of Another AAPU Caretaker Committee.*
The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs appointed a new AAPU Caretaker committee led by Eze Obumneke to pilot the affairs of the community.
*10. 27th January, 2024: Peace Resolution Committee Pushes for Government Appointed Igwe.*
The AAPU Caretaker Committee, led by Eze Obumneke, appointed members of Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee on Igweship matters where he made the campaign manager of Okwudili Omeke, Hon. Chinedu Omeje (Smart) the Chairman of the committee and another of his supporters, Bar. Chuks Eze the secretary. The committee invited the two candidates for a peace meeting on 27th January, 2024. During the meeting, candidate Christian Ugwuanyi advocated for a free and fair election, while Okwudili Omeke pushed for a government-appointed Igwe. The committee ruled in favour of an appointment, raising suspicions of bias.
*11. 2nd February 2024: Petition to the Enugu State House of Assembly by Amikpo Clan*
Upon learning that the AAPU Caretaker Committee, led by Eze Obumneke, was pushing for a government-appointed Igwe, the elders of Amikpo petitioned the Enugu State House of Assembly, seeking intervention to prevent any attempt to impose an Igwe on Alor-Agu through the backdoor. In response, the House set up a committee to investigate the matter and subsequently ruled that the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs must urgently conduct a free and fair Igweship election in the community.
*12. 28th September 2024: Cancellation of AAPU NEC Election*
On September 28, 2024, the AAPU Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Eze Obumneke, attempted to manipulate the AAPU electoral process by disqualifying 11 out of the 16 branches from participating in the election and introducing membership cards for voting, which were selectively distributed. The election was met with heavy protests, resulting in conflicts and ultimately leading to its cancellation.
*13. 22nd February, 2025: Announcement of Upcoming Election*
The AAPU Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mr. Eze Obumneke, informed the general assembly during an emergency AAPU meeting that the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs had invited all interested candidates to purchase declaration of interest forms. He announced that the much-awaited Igweship election was scheduled to be conducted in March 2025, signaling a potential resolution to the longstanding leadership vacuum.
*14. Current Status: Plea to The Government*
As of March 7, 2025, the Alor-Agu community is preparing for the Igweship election slated for Tuesday, 25th March, 2025. The people of Alor-Agu community are already calling on Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo and the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze to please use their good offices to ensure that a free, fair and transparent Igweship election is conducted in their community, as they remain hopeful that the election will be conducted transparently and that a new traditional ruler will be installed in order to bring an end to the prolonged leadership crisis.
Godwin Erochukwu Ugwu
writes from Alor-Agu, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area.
