Community appeals to Enugu governor over leadership crisis

Residents of Ihuezeofia village in Enuogu Autonomous Community, Nkerefi, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu state, have appealed to the state governor, Barrister Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to urgently intervene in the leadership crisis allegedly rocking the community since June 2025.

The residents, under the aegis of Ihuezeofia Village, made the appeal in a statement signed by the Chairman, Comrade Edeson John Chukwudi; Secretary-General, Prof. Kenneth Ogbodo; and a senior citizen of the village, Elder Elijah Chukwu.

They alleged that the leadership crisis had left the community divided, accusing some individuals of attempting to impose a preferred candidate as President-General (PG) of Enuogu Autonomous Community against the wishes of the people.

According to them, “Enuogu community is being held hostage by some individuals who believe that the community belongs to them and that they will choose whoever they want to be the President-General of the community against the will of the citizens because of their position in government.”

The residents also alleged that Ihuezeofia Village had been marginalised since the creation of Enuogu Autonomous Community, claiming that no government project or meaningful government presence had been established in the village.

They noted that Enuogu Autonomous Community comprised six gazetted villages, adding that five of the six villages had produced a President-General at different times, while Ihuezeofia Village had allegedly been denied its turn.

The group further raised concerns over the absence of a unified constitution for the autonomous community, despite its creation about 20 years ago.

They alleged that the traditional ruler, former Presidents-General and the current Caretaker Committee Chairman, whom they accused of presenting himself as the President-General, were operating under three different constitutions.

The residents said they had earlier petitioned Governor Mbah through DHL on April 7, 2026, with tracking number 4288534084, and that the correspondence was delivered to the Governor’s office on April 9, 2026.

They also said they had written to the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Rural Development, Hon. Charles Egumgbe, through their lawyer, but claimed that they had yet to receive a response from either the Governor or the Commissioner.

The residents said their decision to make their concerns public was borne out of their desire for peace and their belief that using the media would help ensure that their appeal reached the state governor.

They urged Governor Mbah to urgently intervene in the crisis, ensure fairness and justice among the six gazetted villages, and help restore peace and unity in Enuogu Autonomous Community.

They also appealed to the state government to address the alleged marginalisation of Ihuezeofia Village and ensure equitable distribution of government projects and development across the autonomous community.