By Tony Okafor, Awka
A disagreement has arisen in the Nnobi Community, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, regarding the Ikemba chieftaincy title.
The issue is between High Chief Emeka Hamilton Ezeonu and Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, a former House of Representatives member.
The community has largely recognized High Chief Ezeonu as the authentic Ikemba of Nnobi, a title conferred upon him by the traditional ruler, Igwe Engr Nick Obi (FNSE).
However, Ambassador Ugokwe’s supporters claim that he was awarded the title by the late Igwe of Nnobi, Edmund Ezeokoli, in 1999.
To resolve the matter, a 30-member peace committee was established, comprising 10 representatives from each of the three quarters of Nnobi (Awuda, Ngo, and Ebenesi).
The committee, led by Chief Ifezue Onyechi, recommended that both individuals be allowed to use the title.
However, some committee members allegedly aligned with Ugokwe doctored the report, suggesting that Ezeonu drop the title in favor of Ugokwe.
Supporters of High Chief Ezeonu, who has been actively contributing to the community’s development, insist that he is the genuine Ikemba of Nnobi and will not relinquish the title.
A petition has been filed against the four committee members accused of tampering with the report.
“High Chief Ezeonu underwent a rigorous screening process before being bestowed with the Ikemba title, meeting all the community’s constitutional requirements,” an anonymous source told our reporter.
The title holds significant cultural importance, having been popularized by the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was conferred with the Ikemba Nnewi title in 1982.
The dispute is ongoing, with both parties maintaining their stance on the matter.
