Tension is rising in Amankanu Ohofia Oduma Autonomous Community in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State after residents rejected what they described as a flawed Igweship election that produced one Shadrach Ekpete as the traditional ruler.
The controversy followed an event held on March 6, 2026, Ekpete, popularly known as Ekenediri Ekpete, was presented as the traditional ruler of the community—an outcome stakeholders insist did not follow due process.
In a statement signed by David Okoro, First and Immediate Past President-General of Amankanu Ohofia Oduma, community leaders maintained that the exercise could not be regarded as a legitimate Igweship election.
“The event held on March 6, 2026, did not follow due process and therefore cannot be regarded as a legitimate Igweship election or presentation,” Okoro said.
He described the exercise as “scripted” and a “charade,” stressing that the community was not opposed to anyone emerging as Igwe but insisted that established legal and traditional procedures must be strictly followed.
According to the statement, the controversial process has resulted in two individuals laying claim to the traditional stool.
Community members expressed particular concern that the claimants—Innocent Ekpete and Shadrach Ekpete—are biological father and son, describing the situation as unprecedented in the history of the community.
Okoro revealed that a letter dated February 25, 2026, was reportedly issued from the office of the Enugu State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs to the Chairman of the community’s Caretaker Committee in preparation for the Igweship election.
However, he alleged that the letter was not made public to members of the community either at home or in the diaspora.
“There was no public notification through radio, television, print media, social media platforms, or even through the traditional town crier system,” he stated.
“As a result, many indigene were unaware that such a significant event was scheduled to take place.”
The statement further alleged that the gathering where Ekpete was presented took place at the village hall of the Caretaker Committee Chairman, with attendees reportedly selected rather than openly invited.
Stakeholders questioned whether those present could legitimately represent the broader population of Amankanu Ohofia.
Observers also criticised the venue used for the gathering, describing it as small and inaccessible compared with the community village square traditionally used for major public meetings.
They cited the 2025 Amended Laws for Igwe and Town Unions in Enugu State, which emphasise inclusiveness and accessibility in community decision-making processes.
Eyewitness accounts also alleged that youths were prevented from entering the venue, raising further concerns about transparency.
The statement clarified that the women present at the meeting were members of the “Njikọka” women group and not the official women’s wing of the Amankanu Ohofia Town Union.
Okoro also questioned why the Caretaker Committee leadership allegedly failed to publicly release the February 25 letter from the Commissioner’s office.
“That omission represents a serious procedural lapse,” he said.
Council Chairman Distances Self
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, has distanced himself from the outcome of the disputed exercise.
Addressing some stakeholders from Amankanu, Nwanjoku said he was not informed of any arrangement for an Igweship election in the community on March 6.
He said he could not recognise the outcome of a process that allegedly did not follow due process.
“I was not informed of any arrangement for an election in Amankanu on the 6th of March, 2026, and I therefore distance myself from the outcome of such an election,” he said, stressing that the process did not follow due procedure.
Community leaders noted that Amankanu Ohofia has maintained a long-standing tradition of peace and lawful conduct but warned that continued irregularities could trigger fresh litigation or unrest.
According to Okoro, the community has been involved in several court cases since 2017, many of which remain unresolved, including disputes relating to the Igweship.
Stakeholders are now looking toward a pre-election stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for March 11 by the Enugu State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs as an opportunity to harmonise the processes for both the substantive Town Union leadership and the Igweship election.
They urged the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs to carefully review reports submitted by delegated officials and ensure that justice and due process prevail.
“We believe in your wisdom and integrity to ensure a fair and lawful process for the sake of posterity, peace, and justice,” Okoro said.