Enugwu-Agidi, an agrarian community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, was thrown into turmoil on Thursday as a violent clash between supporters of its traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okekeuche, and the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU), Hon. Chukwuebuka Onuorah, disrupted the community’s proposed Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting.
Trouble reportedly began when some CEC members, including village chairmen and township branch leaders, were allegedly assaulted and denied entry into the Enugwu-Agidi Civic Centre, the venue of the meeting on the orders of the President General.
Angered by the exclusion, Igwe Okekeuche walked out of the gathering after pleading in vain with the PG to allow all eligible members access. The monarch insisted he would not declare the meeting open, as constitutionally required, unless the directive was obeyed.
Onuorah, however, defended his stance, claiming that those barred were protesters seeking his removal and others who had failed to pay their dues.
He said security personnel had been instructed to allow only members who met the union’s requirements.
The monarch, in response, reminded the PG that he too had faced protests earlier in the day calling for his dethronement but never moved against the demonstrators.
His withdrawal, alongside his cabinet chiefs, left the meeting in limbo.
Moments later, some branch chairmen addressed journalists, alleging that security operatives, comprising police officers and the local vigilance group, Agunaechemba, stood by as youths loyal to the PG attacked them.
Chief Obiora Anwuta, Chairman of Iruobieli Village, appeared with a swollen face, alleging he was beaten despite his community owing no dues.
“I lost N100,000 and my wristwatch. They tore my shirt and insisted I change my clothes before being denied entry again,” he lamented.
Similarly, Comrade Emeka Ementa, Chairman of the Awka Branch, said he fled the scene after learning his name was also on a “punishment list.”
He accused the PG of sidelining elected leaders and replacing them with handpicked loyalists.
The boycotted meeting followed hours of protests and counter-protests in the community. Groups of women and youths had earlier marched through streets and markets, displaying placards and singing solidarity songs.
One faction demanded the monarch’s dethronement over alleged abuse of power, while the other called for the PG’s removal alleging high handedness, land grabbing, and unconstitutional interference in community elections.
Placards against the PG read: “Ebuka Onuorah must go,” “Ebuka Onuorah uses police to intimidate us,” “Governor Chukwuma Soludo save us from Ebuka Onuorah.” Supporters of the PG countered with: “Ebuka Onuorah is our saviour,” “The government of the day must continue,” “Igwe Okekeuche must go.”
During the protests, Mr. Vincent Onyekwelu accused the PG of land grabbing and disrupting burials and communal gatherings with hired thugs.
Hon. Mrs. Grace Aghauche, leader of Etiti Village women, alleged that the PG illegally conducted women’s elections in June instead of the constitutional December date, while Mrs. Amarachi Egbeonu accused him of imposing leaders on their village women’s wing.
The aggrieved villagers said they had petitioned Governor Charles Soludo, the State House of Assembly, and relevant ministries, urging government intervention.
But a faction of women clad in black attire defended the PG, absolving him of land grabbing and insisting that the monarch was the community’s real problem.
“Ebuka is our saviour. Igwe is the one causing trouble and should be dethroned,” PG’s supporters declared.
When contacted at the Civic Centre, PG Onuorah dismissed the protests as a ploy to frustrate the meeting.
In a sharp contrast, the traditional ruler, through his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Ifeanyi Ndulue, denied involvement in land grabbing and urged the community to remain calm.
He said: “We are witnessing what no community should endure: allegations of abuse of power, disruption of burials, and imposition of parallel leadership structures that threaten our unity.
“These actions have provoked unrest and pushed our peaceful community to the brink.
“We call on the Anambra State Government and security agencies to protect the lives and property of our people, investigate the root causes of this crisis, and ensure justice is served. We are not asking for favours, we demand fairness, intervention, and peace for the sake of our land and unborn generations.”
Quoting the provisions of the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Constitution and the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007, Igwe Okekeuche appealed to his subjects to exercise restraint, even in provocation, and not allow chaos to consume the legacies of their forefathers.
