Ebonyi crisis escalates as 2 Traditional Rulers clash over jurisdiction

A jurisdictional dispute is brewing in Ebonyi State as two traditional rulers, HRH Ezeogo Innocent Nworie of Ezekunna Community and HRH Ezeogo Chinedu Nwankwo of Ezzagu Community, find themselves in conflict over the control of Eguho, a shared community comprising 13 villages in Ishielu Local Government Area. This situation has sparked rising tension, with both leaders asserting authority over Eguho despite its longstanding integration within both Ezekunna and Ezzagu communities.

Eguho has been seeking autonomous status since the tenure of the state’s first civilian governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, yet all attempts have so far been unsuccessful. The recent clash ignited when Ezeogo Nwankwo of Ezzagu entered Eguho to conduct elections for its local executives, claiming he was acting on authorization from Ezeogo Nworie. However, Ezeogo Nworie swiftly denied granting any such authority, responding with a formal “Call to Order” letter on October 10, 2024.

In his letter, Ezeogo Nworie stated, “I advise that you stay clear of any territorial interference in Ezekunna, which includes Eguho. I have not, and will not, delegate my duties to you.” He emphasized his fitness to govern, marking his 24 years as Ezekunna’s ruler, and highlighted that even his counterpart’s predecessor, late Linus Enyiukpor, respected these boundaries.

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The tension has prompted calls for intervention from community leaders. Mr. Innocent Igwe, National President of the Eguho Development Union, warned that the rulers’ interference could lead to a full-blown crisis and urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to take immediate action. “The only solution to this ongoing dispute is to grant Eguho autonomous status,” Igwe asserted, citing Eguho’s 13 villages and significant population as grounds for independence.

Adding legal weight to the dispute, Eguho Indigenous Lawyers, through Barrister Hans Offia Chambers, issued a statement clarifying that neither monarch has sole jurisdiction over Eguho, given its unique integration of Ezekunna and Ezzagu residents.

The escalating conflict over Eguho’s governance highlights deeper challenges in traditional rulership and territorial rights in Ebonyi State. With tensions mounting, all eyes are now on the state government to mediate and possibly grant Eguho the autonomy it has long sought, in hopes of restoring peace between these two neighboring communities.