Jelili Gbadamosi
The Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Justice Nze, has denied allegations that he imposed a traditional ruler and President General (PG) on Uzoagba Ancient Kingdom, insisting that his actions were lawful and aimed at preserving peace in the community.
Nze spoke on Friday after women from Uzoagba staged a peaceful protest at the council headquarters in Iho, accusing him of attempting to impose community leaders in violation of the kingdom’s customs and traditions.
The protesters, who carried placards with inscriptions including “Respect Our Tradition,” “We Say No to the Imposition of an Eze in Uzoagba,” and “Uzoagba Deserves the Right to Choose Its Leaders Independently,” described the alleged action as unconstitutional.
Speaking on behalf of the women, the President General of the Women Wing of the Uzoagba Development Union (UDU), Home and Abroad, Mrs Maria Emetumba, said the protest was intended to avert a crisis and urged the council chairman to allow the court to determine the matter before any town union election is conducted.
Also reading a communiqué jointly signed by the women’s leadership, Secretary-General Ezinne Patricia Ndukwu warned against the alleged imposition of an electoral committee for the proposed Uzoagba Development Union and Ezeship elections.
According to the communiqué, the position of the community’s President General remains the subject of ongoing litigation before a competent court, making any further action capable of amounting to contempt of court.
The Youth Leader of the community, Michael Chibuike Okpara, also appealed to the local government chairman and his deputy to avoid actions that could disrupt the peace for which Uzoagba is known.
Similarly, the matron of the women’s wing, Bernadette Obiyor, urged the chairman to respect the judicial process, noting that the case is scheduled to be heard on August 14, 2026.
Responding to the allegations, Nze expressed displeasure over the protest, saying neither his office nor the Divisional Police Officer was notified before the demonstrators arrived at the council headquarters.
He maintained that he acted within the law and in the interest of maintaining peace and stability, adding that he was unaware the matter was still before the court, as he believed the case had already been concluded.
The chairman urged members of the community to avoid actions capable of causing unrest and to continue pursuing peace through lawful means.
