Residents of Ozom Community in Aguobu Owa, Enugu State, are at odds with officials over the alleged disruption of their traditional ruler's election and an attempt to impose a candidate on them. The crisis has escalated to other communities in the state, prompting the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) to raise the alarm over the deteriorating security situation and disregard for due process in selecting traditional rulers.
According to CRRAN, the latest crisis unfolded on October 3, 2026, during the election of the Igwe of Ozom Community. A conciliatory meeting was convened on September 30, 2026, where it was agreed that the election would proceed as scheduled. The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr. Kevin Nwachukwu, directed the community to remain peaceful and law-abiding, and they complied, turning out in large numbers to elect their leader.
However, the election allegedly turned into a scene of sabotage when a team invited to outline logistical modalities for voting unilaterally attempted to alter the process by reading a prepared text designed to impose a pre-selected candidate without opening the floor for voting. The community raised immediate objections, preventing the unauthorized declaration from being executed.
The petition, signed by CRRAN President Olu Omotayo, noted that the increasing conflicts and disruptions of traditional ruler elections in Enugu State point to a disturbing lack of transparency and a failure by the supervising ministry to uphold the rule of law. The community alleged that they had borne all the payments to the ministry and arrangements for a peaceful election.
To avert an imminent breach of peace, CRRAN demanded that Governor Peter Mbah, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, take immediate action. They asked him to nullify any unauthorized declaration, order a transparent and credible election, and uphold only the authentic choice that emerges freely through recognized electoral guidelines and customs of Ozom people.
The group also called for accountability and transparency in governance, stressing that the government must be accountable to citizens. They disclosed that video evidence online shows the disapproval of the majority of residents against the attempted imposition of a candidate, with a compact disc containing the footage attached to the petition.
CRRAN warned that failure to uphold the will of the people, their constitution, and the decision made at the September 30 meeting will only worsen the cycle of impunity and unrest in the state. The group emphasized that the government must prioritize the people's will and ensure that traditional ruler elections are conducted in a transparent and credible manner.
Key points
- The residents of Ozom Community are demanding a transparent and credible election for their traditional ruler.
- The alleged imposition of a candidate on the community has created tension that has escalated to other communities in Enugu State.
- The Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network has called for accountability and transparency in governance.
