Tension is rising in Obiangwu autonomous community, Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, as residents have protested against what they describe as the imposition of an Interim Town Union Executive by local authorities.
The protest, which took place in front of the offices of the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Chike Olembe, and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Ruby Emele, drew a crowd of angry community members demanding justice.
According to the protesters, the Chairperson of the Local Council, Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, and the Leader of the Ngor-Okpala Legislative Council, Mr. Chibuike Agbuba, allegedly handpicked individuals to serve in the executive without proper consultation with community stakeholders. This decision followed the Commissioner’s earlier cancellation of the planned Town Union election.
One of the community leaders, Chief Theophilus Okere, accused Mr. Agbuba of high-handedness and betrayal of trust, calling for his immediate suspension. Chief Okere stressed that the position of President-General must follow the community’s traditional rotational system.
He explained that it is now the turn of the Emele clan to produce the President-General, as the two other major groups, Eze Obiangwu and Kweraza, had already held the position in previous years.
The protesters insisted on a fair and transparent process, warning against any move that would undermine the community’s unity and customs. They called on the state government and relevant authorities to step in quickly and resolve the matter before it escalates further.
The protest reflects deeper divisions within the community and signals a growing demand for transparency, respect for tradition, and inclusive leadership at the grassroots level.
