The suspension of the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Opi Ogbozalla Autonomous Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Willy Ezeugwu, has been linked to the monarch’s recent hosting of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Mr Peter Obi.
The NDC’s governorship candidate in the state, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, stated this in a release issued by his media aide, Sampson Ukwu, which was made available to THE WHISTLER on Saturday. Ohaa stated that the suspension “represents a deeply troubling encroachment on traditional institutions, human rights, and constitutional freedoms”.
The statement alleged that “Igwe Ezugwu was reportedly targeted and suspended following his exercise of basic hospitality—specifically, for hosting NDC presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and subsequently hosting Chief Chinyeaka Ohaa who visited to commiserate with the Igwe and his community folk over the recent kidnap, and subsequent death, of some of the kidnap victims from his kingdom.”
Ohaa said “punitive action against a traditional ruler for receiving high-profile Nigerians on sympathy visit, in his private capacity or as a custodian of his community’s cultural open-door policy is both autocratic and unnecessary”.
He said traditional rulers are the custodians of culture, peace, and community cohesion, adding that “Forcing monarchs to seek state approval before receiving guests, regardless of political affiliation, degrades the revered status of royal institutions and reduces traditional fathers to political appendages of the state executive.”
He added that the act was a violation of the constitutional rights of the monarch. He quoted Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees every citizen the right to peaceful assembly and association.
Ohaa said, “Penalizing a traditional ruler for associating with public figures violates fundamental constitutional freedoms. Local governance thrives when royal fathers remain non-partisan intermediaries who can welcome all citizens, political figures, and stakeholders. Weaponising administrative suspensions against monarchs creates an atmosphere of fear, division, and political intimidation across local communities.”
He also stated that using chieftaincy laws to enforce political conformity undermines democratic tolerance and damages the working relationship between local communities and the state government. He therefore called on Governor Peter Mba to immediately reverse the suspension.
He said, “We urge the state government to respect the autonomy, dignity, and neutrality of traditional institutions across Enugu State, ensuring that traditional rulers remain free to foster unity, peaceful engagement, and hospitality within their domains.”
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Charles Egumgbe, has denied that Igwe Ezugwu’s suspension was as a result of Obi’s visit to his palace.
Egumgbe told SaharaReporters that, “Why do you people want to politicise everything? You saw a letter and you are telling me about Peter Obi. I am a founding chairman of PDP in Enugu State, 1998/1999. I have a PhD in law. So, please don’t go and infuse a different thing from what you have seen there. There’s another traditional ruler that we have also put another warning letter; those who think that they’re too big. Go to Opi community and hear what they’re saying. Everything people will say Peter Obi or no Peter Obi. Peter Obi, his sister is married in Igbo Etiti, does he not go to that place? Have they been sacked? So it has no connection with Peter Obi, please.”
Egumgbe listed the offences of the traditional ruler to include selling the community market; ruling the community without a cabinet, as well as a code of conduct.
A native of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our reporter that Ezugwu’s suspension is multifaceted. Quoting him, “Obi’s visit, I guess, is the visible reason for his suspension. Afterwards the NDC guber candidate also visited him. Ezugwu was a politician before becoming a traditional ruler. Former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi created the autonomous community on his request, and handed it over to him. So he has been arrogating that position. He has his own faults. All the allegations in his letter of suspension are correct. But the political writing is that he has been running the community as such over the years. Why was he not suspended until he hosted Obi?”
Our correspondent reports that Igwe Willy Ezugwu served as the Secretary-General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) for many years before becoming a traditional ruler.
