We are Against Illegality In Ikembara Ezeship Stool  – Concerned Citizens of Ikembara Community  …Ikembara will not tolerate external interference  …demand Justice as Parallel Groups Produce Two Eze-Elects

By ThankGod Emeh

Indigenes of Ikembara Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State have raised alarm over a deepening crisis surrounding the succession to the community’s traditional stool, following the emergence of two Eze-Elects from parallel elections.

The development, according to patriotic indigenes of Ikembara, has not only divided the once-revered community but has also contributed to insecurity, criminal activities, and underdevelopment since the demise of the former monarch.

Operating under the banner Concerned Citizens of Ikembara Community, the indigenes staged a peaceful protest across the community, carrying placards to express their dissatisfaction with what they described as illegality and undue interference in the Ezeship process as some of the placards read: “The Ezeship stool of Ikembara is not for sale or for the highest bidder”, “We are against illegality in Ikembara”, “Ikembara will not tolerate outside interference”, “No to godfatherism in Ikembara Ezeship”

The group, comprising indigenes at home and in the diaspora, said their agitation is driven by a desire to preserve the customs, traditions, and constitutional provisions handed down by the community’s founding fathers.

According to the protesters, the crisis arose from alleged double standards, monetary inducements, and sharp practices by a faction of the Ezeship electoral committee led by Nze Ikechukwu Nwaosuji.

They maintained that the Ezeship stool, by long-standing rotational arrangement, constitutionally belongs to Abali village, which is next in line to produce the monarch.

They further explained that the controversy resulted in two parallel elections, producing Mr. Francis Onuoha Agim and Mr. Cornelius Nnamdi Okpoebo as Eze-Elects, following exercises allegedly conducted separately by Nze Ikechukwu Nwaosuji and Prince Leo Olebara.

The situation became more troubling, the group said, when both Eze-Elects were reportedly presented to the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Council, Hon. Justice Nze, for ratification.

Reacting to the development, the Concerned Citizens called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently intervene, warning that the crisis has already damaged the image of Ikembara Community and contributed to governance breakdown, including the dissolution of town unions across the state.

Led by their Acting Town Chairman, Comrade Jude Obi, the group unanimously endorsed Mr. Cornelius Nnamdi Okpoebo as their preferred traditional ruler, insisting that he fulfilled all traditional, constitutional, and electoral requirements for the Ezeship succession.

They argued that Mr. Francis Onuoha Agim is not qualified for the throne, alleging that his emergence was driven by personal interests of Nze Ikechukwu Nwaosuji and his associates, in violation of the community’s constitution and established procedures.

The group further alleged that Nineteenth (19) constitutionally recognized stakeholders, including Twelve (12) village heads, who are mandated to conduct and oversee the Ezeship election, were excluded from the first election and presentation process, which they described as hurried and conducted outside approved timelines and guidelines.

The Concerned Citizens therefore appealed to the state government to uphold justice and due process, stressing that “when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice.”