Izzo Autonomous Community Accuses PS, Ishielu Council Boss Of Bribery, Imposition Of Monarch

By Alex Odeh

The turmoil surrounding the selection of a new traditional ruler in Izzo Autonomous Community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, intensified over the weekend as community leaders leveled accusations against two high-ranking government officials for bribery, manipulation, and the subversion of due process.

At the epicenter of the controversy are the Principal Secretary to the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mathias Adum, and the Executive Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Mrs. Peace Ifeoma Agwu, who are alleged to have accepted over ₦100 million from one of the aspirants, Mr. Monday Ogbule, to disqualify the community’s consensus candidate.

These allegations were articulated during a charged press briefing shortly after Adum announced the disqualification of the community-sanctioned candidate, Mr. Sunday Orugbala Eche, at the venue designated for the Ezeship election.

The Town Union President of Izzo Autonomous Community, Comrade Ikechukwu Ojeogu, denounced the development, asserting that qualified candidates must be afforded the opportunity to contest, and that community members, including “every mature man and woman,”reserve the intrinsic right to select their traditional ruler freely.

He characterized the actions of the government officials as a profound betrayal of the community’s trust.

A prominent stakeholder, Comrade Nworie Emeka, Secretary-General of Umuigboke Kindred, alleged that Adum had habitually received substantial sums from the community during previous attempts to conduct the election.

“For three consecutive occasions that the election was slated, the community, through the executive, disbursed ₦20 million each time to the committee chaired by Adum,” he asserted, adding that the community was subsequently astounded to uncover purported clandestine financial transactions involving a contestant.

Another aspirant, Onyema Enwuru, expressed his astonishment at the abrupt changes.

“Today was designated for the election. I completed all requisite forms, but I was suddenly informed that Chief Adum had ‘performed everything’—implying decisions had already been reached without adherence to due process,”he lamented.

Community stakeholder Nwankwo Ogbonna commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for his commendable developmental track record but voiced his disappointment that his aides were allegedly undermining his commitment to the democratic selection of traditional rulers.

“We recognize that Ezeship is reserved for elders and custodians of our traditions, not for the highest bidder. Adum and Agwu colluded and accepted bribes to compromise our traditional stool. They disqualified credible candidates, reminiscent of the situation in Ezeagu. We implore Governor Nwifuru to intervene, as we do not require a politically appointed traditional ruler,”he asserted.

Former town union president and community leader, Chief James Enwuru, described the day’s occurrences as disheartening and destabilizing.

“We anticipated a peaceful election among the three credible candidates: Onyema Francis Enwuru, Orugbala Sunday Echeh, and Monday Joseph Ogbule.

“Instead, the government delegation, led by Chief Adum, disenfranchised women and credible candidates,”he remarked.

He questioned the suitability of the allegedly favored contestant, Monday Ogbule, noting: “He is young, has recently returned from South Africa, is unfamiliar with our land boundaries, and has made no significant contributions to peace or development in Izzo.”

Enwuru urged Governor Nwifuru to intervene, expressing concern that the community feels overlooked despite previous appeals since January.

Attempts to reach the accused officials yielded minimal response, as Ishielu LGA Chairman, Mrs. Ifeoma Agwu, informed reporters she was in a meeting, while Chief Mathias Adum did not answer calls or respond to text messages by the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the people of Izzo, particularly their stakeholders, have insisted that the Ebonyi State government urgently intervene to restore peace and ensure a transparent, credible selection process for its traditional leadership.