Mr. Edwin Ezeh, an elder statesman and key stakeholder from the Mburubu Community, has refuted the claims made by Chief Simon Aniobi regarding the ongoing traditional leadership crisis.
In media publications dated March 6, 2025, under the title “Enugu: FACTS BEHIND MBURUBU IGWESHIP TUSSLE,” Mr. Aniobi conveyed what many perceive as self-serving falsehoods aimed at his community.
In response, Mr. Ezeh issued a letter to the press in Enugu on Monday, dismantling these fabrications and urging all involved parties to withdraw their court cases. He suggested that they should take to the field to demonstrate their popularity among the people.
Mr. Ezeh traced the history of the Mburubu Community Igweship back to 1976 when the community elected their late Igwe, HRH E.M.O. Ezeh. Before his coronation, the community gathered to select him as their leader due to his dedication to their welfare and development. Before his reign, several chiefs, including Chief Chukwu Anyiene from Obinagu and another from Uhuagu, represented the community. The late E.M.O. Ezeh hailed from Umudara.
Following the directives of the military regime, the Mburubu Community decided to establish an Igwe, and in April 1976, they crowned him. By July of that same year, the government, led by Colonel Arthur Mkpere, recognised him with a certificate and a staff of office. During his coronation at the Umudara village square, the late Igwe asked the Ndi Mburubu whether his son could succeed him upon his passing. The community firmly answered “No,” asserting that his Igweship stemmed from his commendable service, thereby ensuring that his successor would hail from another village, chosen by the majority of Ndi Mburubu. This decision established the rotation system, stipulating that the Igwe would be elected from a village other than that of the late Igwe, endorsed by popular consent. This agreement, known as “The 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community Constitution,” was documented and gazetted with the Enugu State Government.
Despite the late Igwe being the community’s preferred choice, there were competitors, including the late Anthony Nweke Chukwu from Uhuagu and another candidate from Umudara. Ultimately, E.M.O. Ezeh was not selected based on the seniority of his village but rather on his popularity and contributions to the community. In 1976, Uhuegbe village received recognition as the eldest village in Mburubu, enjoying all the associated accolades. However, in 1977, a man from Umudara, the late Ogbede Nwaonyeabor, took an oath declaring that Uhuegbe was not the eldest village, but rather Umudara, asserting that Umudara had settled in Mburubu prior to Uhuegbe, as the community is comprised of various settlers from different origins.
In Igbo tradition, an individual who swears an oath before a deity is granted a year to either live or die. If they survive, the opposing party is tasked with performing a traditional purification, known as ị́gwa ehụ. However, after the stipulated period in 1978, Uhuegbe village refused to carry out the purification. Ultimately, Umudara village performed it and claimed the title of the eldest village that same year, leaving Uhuegbe village to continue disputing the issue of seniority to this day.
Moreover, no other village has made an effort to establish who ranks next in seniority after Umudara, resulting in the absence of any documented order of seniority. It is now evident that the late Igwe’s election was not based on village seniority.
The 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution
From 1970 onwards, many leaders guided the Mburubu unions under the banner of the Mburubu Progressive Union (MPU), independently managing the affairs of the union. Prominent figures included Chief Nweke Onovo, Chief Sylvanus Njoku, and the late Chief Emmanuel Ezechukwu, each operating under their respective union constitutions.
In 1993, a group of intellectuals from our community, led by Engineer Dr. D.C. Chukwu, convened to create a proper constitution to govern the union, which they accomplished successfully. Notably, this constitution made no connection between the town union’s regulatory framework and the traditional leadership. Other Town Union Presidents, including Chief Boniface Ogbede, the late Patrick Ifediora, and Mr. Livinus Edeh, effectively led the union under the 1993 constitution.
It was in July 2003 that a crisis erupted with the emergence of Chief Simon Anobi as one factional Town Union President and Chief Boniface Ogbede as another. This conflict led to the formal inauguration of Chief Simon Anobi and his faction in August 2003. Subsequently, he established a committee headed by the late Mr Aniebonam Igbudu. Together with his factional executives, they drafted a new constitution for the town union, asserting that no other constitution existed.
None of the Igwe’s cabinet members participated in the proceedings, nor did any representative of the Igwe take part, and the traditional institution was not consulted during the constitution’s drafting process, as noted by the then-factional treasurer. The group was aware that the traditional stool encompassed a broader institution with clearly defined rules. The former treasurer suggested that the late Aniebonam Igbudu may have secretly inserted several provisions into the factional constitution for his personal gain. Notably, Mr Simon Anobi extended his tenure from three years to five years in the 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution.
They nominated our Igwe as the Board of Trustees Chairman and patron of the town union, which required his signature on the constitution. However, our village chairmen and other town unions refused to endorse it, leading to a widespread rejection by the community. Chief Anobi and his allies resorted to having others sign on their behalf. This constitution was ultimately dismissed by the community as it was created by a factional executive.
On January 4, 2004, the community convened at Obodo Uhuegbe Village Square to address the town union dispute. They unanimously declared that all actions taken by either factional Town Union President were null and void while stakeholders advocated for peace. A confirmatory election was mandated, allowing all male community members aged 18 and above to vote for the Town Union President between Chief Simon Anobi and Chief Boniface Ogbede. The candidate with the most votes would continue with their executives. Following this, votes were cast, and Chief Simon Anobi emerged victorious, restoring peace within the community. It is important to note that the 2003 town union constitution, drafted and signed between August and December 2003, was discarded by the community, and a confirmation election was conducted by the people of Mburubu—not by delegates.
Town Union Elections
During this period, the cabals became so powerful in Mburubu that they consistently imposed their will, disregarding the majority opinion. Due to their economic influence and connections, they faced no challengers, which allowed them to manipulate the so-called 2003 town union constitution, especially regarding the zoning of executive positions within the union.
Prince Engr. Lawrence Ezeh and Chief Simon Anobi regularly enforced their choices against the villagers’ wishes. They brought the late Mr Celestine Chukwu from Uhuagu Village and imposed him on the community, despite his own people’s rejection. With no opposition, their dominance continued. However, as fate would have it, serious issues arose between the late Celestine Chukwu and his cabal leaders over proposed amendments to the already overdue 2003 town union constitution.
After falling out with his factional leaders, the late Chukwu established a constitutional amendment committee, enlisting wise men from various villages and branches, with a representative nominated by the late Igwe. The 2013 constitutional amendment was completed, but Prince Ezeh Lawrence was aggrieved to see that the authority to appoint the town union election screening committee had been removed from his father, the Igwe, as stipulated in the 2003 constitution and amended in 2013. He subsequently challenged the amendment process in court. However, due to limited resources, the late Chukwu and the community could not pursue the case, leaving it dormant in Agbani High Court since 2013.
After the conclusion of the late Chukwu’s tenure, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, leveraging the power of the town union election committee, zoned the presidency to Uhuegbe Village in favour of Ọzọ Kenneth Igbudu. Chief Simon Anobi opposed Ọzọ Kenneth Igbudu’s candidacy, asserting that he was a cousin of the late Celestine Chukwu, who had previously had conflicts with them, and stated that no one from the Ifediora lineage would ever lead Mburubu again. Consequently, Chief Simon Anobi persuaded Prince Lawrence Ezeh to support his preferred candidate, Chief Cornelius Okolie, and the two reached an agreement.
Despite their wishes, the people of Uhuegbe unanimously elected Mr. Calistus Chukwu, the next in line following Ọzọ Kenneth Igbudu. However, the cabals overruled this decision, imposing their own candidate as the town union president, along with other executives.
When Prince Lawrence Ezeh’s tenure ended, he selfishly zoned the presidency of the town union to Obinagu Village to favour his personal driver, Hon. Emmanuel Edeh. The people of Obinagu, dissatisfied with this move, rejected Hon. Edeh, held their own internal election, and selected Ọzó Sylvanus Chukwudi, affectionately known as Morgodor. This decision sparked tension within Mburubu. The leaders of Obinagu village convened a vote between Morgodor and Hon. Edeh, resulting in Morgodor winning decisively with over 50 votes compared to Hon. Edeh’s 3.
Nevertheless, Prince Engr. Lawrence Ezeh disregarded the village’s choice and imposed Hon. Edeh on the community, who is currently serving as the town union president, in direct violation of principles of equity, fairness, and natural justice.
Engr. Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe was chosen as the Igwe-elect of Mburubu.
Following the passing of our cherished Igwe in December 2021 and his burial in April 2022, the people of Mburubu mourned him for over a year. We, the Mburubu community, resolved not to continue without a traditional head and convened a meeting through the Mburubu General Assembly and the late Igwe’s cabinet leaders. The gathering took place at the Obodo Uhuegbe village square, primarily to determine who would be the successor, as there was no Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu Igwe) during the Igwe’s lifetime, with the cabinet led by its secretary.
The appointment of our late Igwe’s successor dominated the discussions. Many expressed the need for a leader akin to the late Igwe E. M. O. Ezeh—someone with the community’s interests at heart, capable of driving development, youthful and vibrant, and an Ọzọ titleholder adhering to our traditions.
After extensive deliberation over how the late Igwe was selected and the agreements made during his coronation in 1976, the overwhelming majority present agreed on Ọzọ Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe as their choice. Onuokaibe was accepted as he fell within the same age bracket as our late Igwe during his selection. A delegation was sent to inform him of the community’s decision and his designation as the new Igwe based on his contributions and willingness to serve. He stated that he required a period of consultation before providing a response. After a series of consultations stretching over months, he accepted the role.
His name was forwarded to the local government, which accepted him, and subsequently to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Matters between December 28, 2023, and January 6, 2024.
On February 2, 2024, the community organised a grand reception for him, funded by contributions from our people. During this time, Prince Lawrence Ezeh and Simon Anobi attempted to promote their own candidate, which the community deemed absurd as their era of imposing leaders upon us had ended. Ezeh exerted every effort to undermine the February 2024 grand reception, including hiring thugs, but to no avail. The event was graced by prominent figures from Mburubu, including the parents of the town union president, Dr. Chidi Peters Okorie, publisher of Time Africa Magazine (and now Prince Ezeh’s media spokesperson), Chief Chinedu Ezechukwu, Hon. Njoku Ifeanyi, Ndi Nze na Ọzọ, cabinet members, and Ndi omenala, among others.
Just prior to the grand reception, Prince Lawrence Ezeh tried to detain Hon. Njoku Ifeanyi in a bid to sabotage the occasion, but this was thwarted by the intervention of good-hearted individuals and Ọzọ Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe. Following the grand reception, vulnerable villagers who attended were assaulted and harassed by Prince Ezeh’s men. They had issued warnings against attending, threatening a fine of ₦100,000, but this fell on deaf ears due to the people’s right to free association. The populace can now make their own decisions, empowered by those who can defend them. The then PDP chairman in Mburubu Ward, Hon. Stephen Egbo, along with his family and other villagers, were attacked. The incidents were reported widely through radio, social media, and print media. It took the intervention of Chief Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, who arrived with security forces to rescue those who had been arrested and placed under house arrest. What kind of wickedness is this?
How Prince Ezeh Wanted to Impose an Igwe on Us
While his father’s remains lay in the morgue, he engaged in the unthinkable with Mr. Simon Anobi, discussing the topic of outcasts—a matter that had remained unconsidered in Mburubu—simply to grant Chief Simon Anobi access to the Igwe stool. Such actions could have incited severe unrest in our community, as they began to segregate certain individuals, but our people quelled the unrest, equipped now with individuals who can confront them penny for penny, contact for contact.
The questions surrounding Prince Lawrence Ezeh and his allies persist: Where was the 2003 Town Union constitution when Prince Lawrence Ezeh took Chief Simon Anobi to the then-governor after his father’s death, seeking to appoint him as the Igwe? Where was the 2003 Town Union constitution when Hon. Emmanuel Edeh was busy campaigning to become Igwe following the death of E. M. O. Ezeh? Where was the constitution they constantly reference while he imposed leaders on us as Town Union presidents?
Igweship Selection/Election
Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Chief Simon Anobi, and their associates chose to rely on a controversial 2003 Mburubu Town Union constitution that lacks approval from the ministry and is not gazetted by the Enugu State government, rather than the approved 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community constitution. They attempted to conduct an Igweship election under these dubious terms. This constitution limits recognition to only six villages instead of the seven present in our community, and stipulates that the Igweship election be determined by delegates, permitting only 18 selected individuals to vote—three from each village. Such an arrangement is an abomination against our community’s values. We thank the heavens for the timely court injunction.
Prince Ezeh, Hon. Emma Edeh, and Simon Anobi sought to let 18 individuals decide the Igwe for a community of over 30,000. An utter disgrace! Such an act would have been a grave affront to both gods and men. Furthermore, the imposition of a Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu Igwe) by Prince Lawrence Ezeh upon the cabinet members following the death of the late Igwe E. M. O. Ezeh is a taboo in Igbo land. It is the prerogative of the Igwe to appoint his Traditional Prime Minister, not his son. To do so after the Igwe’s passing is strictly forbidden.
We stand united against these injustices in Mburubu! Following the demise of the Igwe, the head of the Igwe cabinet is the cabinet’s secretary, Chief Ọnwụka Ezekwe.
Court Judgment of February 12, 2025
It warrants examination that a court would favour a Town Union constitution not gazetted by the Enugu State government over the duly recognised 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community constitution. Moreover, the court’s authority to empower the Town Union to conduct an Igwe election in Mburubu outside the procedures outlined in the 2003 Town Union constitution it selected is questionable at best.
The notion that the late Igwe’s election was determined by village seniority, particularly when Uhuegbe village remains acknowledged as the oldest village during the late Igwe’s coronation from Umudara village, is a significant fallacy. We believe the appeal court will overturn this if all pending court cases are not withdrawn.
**Our Appeal for Peace**
Let our people understand that courts do not appoint traditional rulers—the community does. It is vital that Mburubians unite to withdraw all court cases and recreate the conditions that allowed for elections in 1976, especially if a select few feel excluded. All parties should take to the field to seek confirmation of their popularity amongst the male and female indigenes of Mburubu aged 18 and above, similar to the events of January 2004 when two factions of the Town Union executive emerged.
Let Eze Anị Mburubu consult the gods for spiritual validation.
To conclude: “The court does not appoint an Igwe. The community shall bring peace.” Anyone emerging from the court process will be referred to as “Igwe Court” and will fail to garner the respect and acknowledgement they seek from the people.
God bless the people of Mburubu.
God bless Nkanu East.
God bless Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
God bless Enugu State.
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