Chieftaincy tussle: PDP chairman, others escape death as fresh crisis rocks Enugu community

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ward chairman in Mburubu, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Mr Egbo Stephen and several other members of the community say they are currently battling for life after a violent attack.

This is coming a few days after they gathered at the public primary school in the area where they received Chief Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe as their Igwe-elect.

Chief Onuokaibe has been in contest for the traditional stool with one Chief Linus Igbudu.

However, trouble started a few hours after the event, with thugs unleashing terror on some of the villagers.

It was gathered that some of the victims were stripped naked and beaten to stupor.

The chairman of the PDP in Mburubu ward, Hon Egbo Stephen, who spoke to journalists, thanked God for saving his life, that of his family and other community members.

“I thank God for my life. I was beaten to a stupor by some thugs for attending the presentation of our Igwe-elect, Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe,” he alleged.

“They warned us earlier but we refused their intimidation and attended the event as we unanimously chose him to lead us.

“It started on Friday when one Mr Ambrose Anobi used a metal gong to go round the villages telling people not to attend Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe’s grand reception or face a penalty of N100, 000.

“When we came back, they started attacking our people, especially the vulnerable.

“Some ran away to bushes, some were locked inside their houses while others ran to Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe’s house where security operatives came and saved them.

“The security agencies wanted to arrest the perpetrators but they were told not to do that as we are still one Mburubu,” he disclosed.

While going down memory lane, Hon Egbo alleged that Prince Lawrence Ezeh has been imposing candidates and leaders on them.

According to him, “Prince Lawrence Ezeh, the son of our late monarch, has been insisting on being the one who would produce his father’s successor.

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“He has made it a must to be the sole person that appoints people for us into various positions that come from the government, starting from councillorship down to President-General and neighbourhood watch.

“Prince Eze started this from Obinagu village when one Mr Orji Emmanuel was brought out by the community after screening to become our PG, but he refused.

“Instead he brought out one Emmanuel Edeh.

“When it was the turn of Amanato to produce Councillor, Mrs Vicky Nwobodo, Benjamin Nwaumeanu, Abel Umeanu all contested but Prince Ezeh from nowhere, brought Chris Onyema who has never participated in our party activities to become councillor and when the people reacted, he said nobody will stop him from doing what he wants to do. Mr Chris Onyema later finished his first and second tenure.

“When it was the Town Union presidency, which was the turn of Uhuegbe, one Mr Cornelius Okorie, Ozo Kenneth Igbudu and Mr Calistus Chukwu all from Uhuegbe were contesting.

“Uhuegbe people wanted to screen them and bring the best candidate, but Prince Ezeh came and vetoed them, thus imposing Cornelius Okorie on them; they revolted and still calmed down for peace to reign.

“When it was the turn of Amachi Village to produce the current councillor, Prince Ezeh went as far as Uhuegu to pick Innocent Ukpabia, denying one Kingsley from Amachi the opportunity to do so even when it was their turn.

“As the party ward chairman, we resisted it but he still had his way.

“We even went to the Government House to protest but we were asked to allow peace to reign.

“When the Igwe died in December 2022, while still in the mortuary, Prince Ezeh wanted to crown one Simon Anubi the Igwe of Mburubu, but was resisted by all Mburubians.

“He went to Alfred Nwachukwu to take over the throne, but he refused.

“Prince Ezeh later went to Mr Cornelius Okorie, who refused.

“Augustine Chukwuogbu was approached but he also refused.

“This was how he now resorted to Mr Linus Igbudu and on the day of his declaration, our people were forced to follow him to the local government headquarters.”

He decried what he called endless intimidation and harassment of the people by Prince Ezeh and called on the state government to intervene.

When contacted, Prince Ezeh denied being involved in any act of violence.

He stated thus: “I have read a lot of things you people have been writing; I don’t have any reaction.

“If he said I beat him up, he should tell the police to come and arrest me; I don’t really know what he is talking about.”