leadership dispute in Amankanu Ohofia, Oduma, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, is heightening fears of violence as the tussle over who becomes the next traditional ruler threatens to destabilize the community.
The Indivisible Umuolo Family, one of the nine founding kindreds of the community, has expressed alarm over what it called a plot to undermine the established rotational system of chieftaincy, warning that the conflict could spiral into chaos if left unresolved.
In a statement addressed to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Aninri Local Government Chairman Hon. Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, and other stakeholders, the family called for urgent intervention to prevent a crisis.
“For the past decade, our community has been in turmoil since we gained autonomy,” the statement read. “We desire peace, and so do our people, but lasting peace can only come through justice. We call on the government and the public to intervene and help restore order to Amankanu.”
The family accused certain individuals of attempting to disrupt the constitutionally recognized rotational Igweship system.
The tradition, based on a strict hierarchy among the nine kindreds, has reportedly guided leadership transitions in the community since its creation.
Amankanu Ohofia, a union of Amankanu Ndi Ulo (Group A) and Amankanu Ndi Agu (Group B), has followed this rotational model since gaining autonomy.
The Umuolo kindred, regarded as the oldest, insists that it is now their turn to produce the next Igwe.
“Our constitution mandates that kingship rotates by seniority,” the statement continued. “We are the eldest kindred. It is our rightful turn.
Attempts to manipulate this process are unjust and unacceptable. Our heritage cannot be hijacked.”
The group cautioned that disrupting the agreed succession order would not only violate tradition but could also trigger unrest within the community.
They urged the state government to act swiftly to prevent a breakdown of law and order and ensure that justice is served in the selection of the next traditional ruler.