Nsugbe Community Resists Alleged Move To Hold Igweship Election Despite Court Order

By Chibuzo Obidike

Tension has reportedly heightened in Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, as members of the community resisted an alleged attempt to conduct an Igweship election despite a subsisting court order restraining parties from holding the election pending determination of cases before the court.

The development followed allegations by community leaders that the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka, disregarded the court order by suspending the elected President General of the community and appointing a five member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of Nsugbe.

According to the Vice President of Nsugbe Development Union, Ben Obiudu, and the Secretary General, Dr Benedict Uzoechina, the caretaker committee on August 29 announced plans to conduct the Igweship election on Sunday, August 30. They further alleged that operatives of Udo Ga Chi were mobilised to the community on Saturday night, allegedly to intimidate residents ahead of the proposed election.

The community leaders also alleged that the state government was attempting to install Nzekwesi Nweke as the traditional ruler of Nsugbe, noting that he is the elder brother of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Tobe Nweke, SAN. These allegations could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.

Despite the reported tension and allegations of intimidation, residents reportedly trooped out in large numbers to oppose the conduct of the election, insisting that the subsisting court order should be respected. The situation has further drawn attention to the need for all parties to abide by the rule of law and allow the courts to determine the ongoing disputes surrounding the traditional rulership of Nsugbe.