IPAC Condemns Abduction, K^|lings Of Ebonyi Traditional Rulers, Says It’s Attack On Community Peace
By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ebonyi State has described the gruesome killing of a traditional ruler in the state, HRH Eze Francis Igwe, as a threat and an assault to the stability of grassroots governance structures and traditional leadership in the State.
The State Chairman of IPAC, Nasir Ernest Nwaze, who disclosed this while reacting to the brutal murder of Eze Igwe, said it poses assault on the sanctity of Nigeria’s traditional institutions and a dangerous signal for community security.
Eze Igwe, was the father of a former Deputy Governor of the state, who was a revered monarch in his community.
Nwaze described the incident as a “dastardly and reprehensible act” that contradicts the long-standing cultural heritage of peace, communal respect and reverence traditionally associated with Ebonyi communities.
According to him, the umbrella body of political parties in Nigeria views the killing not only as a criminal act but also as a serious threat to the stability of grassroots governance structures anchored on traditional leadership.
“IPAC, as the umbrella body of political parties, condemns in totality the gruesome murder of His Royal Highness. This is not the character we are known for in Ebonyi State. Such brutality is alien to our socio-cultural values and must not be allowed to take root in our society,” he said.
The IPAC chairman called on security agencies to deploy all necessary investigative and intelligence resources to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensure that all those involved are apprehended and prosecuted.
He stressed that the perpetrators must not escape justice, warning that failure to decisively address the crime could embolden criminal elements and undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
“We urge the security agencies handling the investigation not to spare anyone found to be connected to this heinous crime. Justice must be served as a deterrent to individuals driven by greed, insatiable ambition and self-aggrandisement that lead them into acts of violence,” Nwaze stated.
Beyond the immediate criminal implications, IPAC warned that attacks on traditional rulers could have far-reaching socio-political consequences, particularly for local governance and community conflict-management structures.
Traditional rulers, he noted, serve as custodians of culture, mediators in communal disputes and stabilising authorities within rural communities.
Any threat to their safety, he said, ultimately weakens the moral and administrative architecture of grassroots leadership.
Nwaze therefore called for a comprehensive security framework for traditional institutions, including enhanced security surveillance around palaces, structured protective details for monarchs and stronger institutional recognition of their role within Nigeria’s governance ecosystem.
“If individuals as important as traditional rulers can face such threats, it raises serious concerns about the safety of ordinary citizens. The government must consider strengthening the security architecture around traditional institutions because they remain critical custodians of authority and social cohesion at the community level,” he added.
On speculation linking the incident to politics, the IPAC chairman cautioned against premature conclusions, noting that investigations were still ongoing.
“To the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence yet to suggest that this crime is politically motivated. It is the responsibility of the security agencies to thoroughly investigate and determine the real motives behind this dastardly act,” he said.
Responding to allegations circulating on social media that a political party official may have been implicated in the incident, Nwaze maintained that such claims remain unverified and should be treated cautiously until confirmed by law-enforcement authorities.
He emphasised that if any individual holding a political position is eventually found culpable, such a person must be held personally responsible under the law.
“If anyone is found guilty, he should face the full weight of the law. It would be purely an individual action and not that of any political party,” he said.
IPAC reiterated its solidarity with the bereaved family and the affected community, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
The council also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, democratic stability and the protection of Nigeria’s traditional governance structures, warning that crimes targeting custodians of cultural heritage must be treated as a serious national security concern.
