The Amankanu community in Enugu State has raised alarm over a prolonged chieftaincy crisis that has left the community without a traditional ruler for over a decade.
In a press statement issued by the Concerned Citizens of Amankanu and signed by Chief Dr. Joel Tochukwu Mba, the group called for urgent government intervention to restore peace, respect the community's constitution, and protect local leaders from intimidation and persecution.
According to the statement, the crisis stems from a disputed constitution drafted in 2016 under the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The constitution provides a clear rotational kingship structure between Amankanu Ndi Ulo (Group A) and Amankanu Ndi Agu (Group B), with the kingship meant to rotate in a strict order of seniority.
The document stipulates that the kingship was first produced by Amankanu Ndi Ulo, with the village of Umuolo being the most senior and first in line. However, when Umuolo declared after six months that it could not produce a candidate, the right of succession was passed to Umuogudu, the next in line. This led to the selection and crowning of Chief Innocent Okorie Ekpete, who was handed the staff of office (Offor) on December 7, 2017, by Chief Abel, the oldest man in Umuolo, in a widely celebrated ceremony.
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In accordance with the same constitution, the community's president general (PG) is to be selected from Group B. Umuekeogu, the first in that group, has held the position since 2018.
However, the community alleges that a group led by Isaac Udeh, Basil Aja, and Dr. DC Okoro disrupted this orderly succession. The group is accused of rewriting the constitution to enable the kingship to be taken by any village, thereby introducing Simon Okeke Ude, from the 7th village in Group A, as a contender, a move the community describes as unconstitutional and driven by selfish interests.
The press statement further claims that these individuals have caused widespread unrest, using financial inducements to sow division and employing police to harass legitimate community leaders. It alleges that in 2018 and 2019, nine community leaders were falsely accused and detained for over six months in a bid to suppress opposition to the manipulation.
"These selfish actions have denied our community its peace, our leaders live in fear, and our constitutional process has been trampled upon," the statement reads.
The Concerned Citizens of Amankanu are now calling on the Enugu State government and relevant traditional authorities to uphold the existing constitution and traditional order of seniority; Restore peace and stability in the community through urgent intervention; Protect community leaders from further harassment, intimidation, and wrongful imprisonment.
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"The people of Amankanu deserve to live in peace and dignity. We urge the government to help us restore our rightful king and bring an end to this chaos," the statement added.
