Residents seek peace as community elects new monarch

The leadership of Nsugbe community in Anambra the East Local Government Area of Anambra State, has appealed for peace as the community elects a new traditional ruler.

The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee set up by the Anambra State Government, Mr Victor Attah, on Sunday.

Attah said the state government suspended the Nsugbe Town Union on August 24, 2026, over several allegations, and constituted a caretaker committee to restore peace and conduct the election in line with the wishes of the people.

He explained that the crisis arose after the traditional stool was zoned to Ivite village.

According to him, in response to agitations led by prominent politicians, the committee agreed to scrap the delegate system and adopt an all-inclusive process where every eligible person from Ivite would vote.

He clarified that there was no court order against the caretaker committee or the Anambra State Government.

He said, “The leadership of Nsugbe community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, is appealing to Senator Tony Nwoye, to allow peace prevail as the community proceeds with the election of its traditional ruler.

There was court order against the town union and its electoral committee for the delegate election earlier fixed for August 8. Now that the union has been suspended and the mode of election changed to accommodate everyone, Nsugbe people deserve to be allowed to elect their traditional ruler.”

He also said the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, who hails from Nsugbe, had no role in the committee’s election arrangement.

The Attorney General has no hand whatsoever in the election process and did not even come to the venue. The allegations against the government and the Attorney General are being made by those interested only in blackmail,” he added.

He commended the state government for its intervention and urged all stakeholders to support peace.

“We use this medium to beg all parties to allow peace to reign in Nsugbe so that the people can exercise their right to choose their traditional ruler without further rancor,” he pleaded.

When contacted, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Vin Ezeaka, said the state government sent observers to monitor the election and to ensure it remained peaceful.

However, documents obtained from the Awka Judicial Division showed that Justice Jude Obiora, sitting as Vacation Judge 1, issued a preservative order on August 5, 2026, restraining any election or selection of an Igwe for Nsugbe until the substantive case is decided.

The order was issued in Motion No. OT/1192m/2026 filed on July 8, 2026, in connection with Suit No. OT/237/2026.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has formally presented certificates of recognition to the newly-elected traditional ruler, Chief John Nweke.

The event was witnessed by the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, alongside the Presidents-General of the community and other key stakeholders, in Awka, on Tuesday.

Ezeaka urged all interested parties to remain calm and allow peace to reign, adding that the community must resist any attempt at all costs to scuttle the outcome of the election.