Enugu Community Protests AgainstMonarch Allegedly Ruling from Diaspora



By Lukman Olabiyi

The people of Ibute-Egede Autonomous Community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State have taken to the streets in protest, accusing their traditional ruler, Igwe Peter Ikenna Okwesiri (Mmiri na Ezoro-oha), of ruling from Boston, USA.

The protesters claimed that the monarch, who resides in the United States, is neglecting his duties as the custodian of the community’s culture and traditions.

The community’s grievances included allegations of persistent harassment and unlawful arrests of its members by the Police Force CID Annex, Agbani Road, Enugu State.

The villagers have also criticized Deacon Okey Ogbodo, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Local Government Matters, for allegedly being complicit in the traditional ruler’s actions.

The protesters are now calling on Governor Peter Mbah and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene.

They warn that if the situation continues, they would be forced to take further action. The placards being carried by the protesters had inscriptions such as: “You cannot be a traditional ruler of Ibute-Egede and live in Boston,” “Ibute-Egede deserves a Monarch that lives amongst his community,” and “Stop the Police harassment.”

Anikwe Ndigwe, an elderly protester, urged Governor Mbah to advise the monarch to live up to expectations or be removed from his position. “It is better not to have an Igwe than to have this particular one in the US,” he stated.

President General of the community, Chibuzor Oyinze, alleged that the monarch rules the community by proxy and called for immediate action to address the community’s concerns.

In a swift reaction, the Palace Secretary, Mr. Gabriel Okolo, who spoke on behalf of the monarch, denied the allegations against him, saying that the protest was orchestrated by members of the disbanded community land committee, whom the Igwe had stopped from selling community land.

Okolo further emphasized that the issue was being addressed in the state High Court and dismissed the protests as an attempt to create confusion over land sales.

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