A group, Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), has called on Gov Peter Mbah of Enugu State to adopt necessary measures towards the resolution of the ongoing crisis in the buildup to the election of the traditional ruler of Ozom Mgbagbu Owa Autonomous Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.
CRRAN stated this in a letter dated October 6, 2026, and signed by its President, Olu Omotayo, Esq. It urged Gov Mbah to intervene in the dispute ahead of the election scheduled for October 10.
CRRAN observed that the matter was sequel to a September 29 meeting with the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, C.C. Egumgbe, at the ministry’s conference hall, where the commissioner reportedly acknowledged that Ezedume Council Ward, designated Ward 9, was next in line to produce the candidates under the community’s rotational arrangement.
The group said the previous Igwe, Igwe Raymond Oguji, was from Ward 8, comprising Umuoma, Umuowe and Umuewo, thereby making Ezedume Ward the next ward entitled to produce candidates.
CRRAN alleged that a subsequent development had created confusion over the process after the President-General of the community, Ozo Ikechukwu Ike, reportedly stated that, acting on the instruction of the ministry’s Director, Alex Ngene, both Ezedume Ward 9 and Okunito Ward 10 would be allowed to present candidates for the election.
According to the rights group, the alleged directive had raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and adherence to the community’s constitution.
Quoting it, “The hallmark of democracy is respect for the rule of law, accountability and transparency in governance. The government must at all times be accountable to the citizens.”
CRRAN said available video evidence showed that the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs had acknowledged the rotational provision of the community’s constitution during the September 29 meeting.
“The video evidence clearly shows that the commissioner acknowledged the constitution of the community, when he stated that based on the constitution of the community, it was the turn of Ezedume Council Ward to produce the candidates for election of Igwe of the community,” the group said.
CRRAN therefore called on Governor Mbah to intervene and ensure that the October 10 election is conducted in accordance with the community’s constitution and the decision reached at the September 29 meeting.
“We demand in an unequivocal terms that the constitution of the people of Ozom Mgbagbu Owa Community, be upheld. The will of the people, their constitution and the decision made at the meeting presided over by the Hon. Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs on the 29th September 2026, should be uphold and respected,” CRRAN said.
The group warned that failure to resolve the disagreement before the election could further heighten tension in the community.
