Mburubu Again: The Truth Behind the Crisis, Key Players, and the Way Forward

By, Obinna Chukwu.

Mburubu Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State has been in a traditional leadership imbroglio since 2023, an issue that has kept the community in a negative light in media reportage. While the conflict seemed to be coming to an end between March and September 2025, another round of feud arose in October 2025, with many falsehoods being spread about the history of the community leadership tussle as well as abuses against community members by some interested parties, particularly those affiliated with the current state government. Recently, an empirical fact-finding investigation was conducted to uncover the root causes of this issue with the aim of finding a long-lasting solution, as the atmosphere in Mburubu once again indicated the need for accurate information and collective memory.

The investigation was carried out by Community Peace International, a South East-based Non-Governmental Organization that promotes peace and rural development. The NGO countered the lies propagated by some community leaders interested in the traditional leadership stool in Mburubu and challenged false claims against one of the contenders. Through their work, the complicated journey of Mburubu became clearer to observers who had been confused by conflicting narratives. The intervention opened a window into the forces that have shaped the contest for authority in the community.

On March 6, 2025, Chief Simon Anobi published a piece entitled "Facts Behind Mburubu Igwership Tussle" across various media platforms. Investigation has revealed that his claims were motivated by selfish interests and spread lies about his community. His publication generated tensions and elicited responses from residents who considered the narrative a misrepresentation of events that have long defined the path to leadership selection in the area.

During that period, a community leader, Mr. Edwin Ezeh, wrote a piece to counter the falsehoods and published it in media houses. The publication refuted all the lies and called for all parties to withdraw their court cases and test their popularity directly among the people. He emphasized that history must precede politics and that every contender must embrace the truth that guided the founders of the community structure in the past. His position reopened old memories of how leadership emerged in Mburubu, which prompted the investigation from the NGO.

Mburubu Leadership Origin

Mburubu Community Igweship began in 1976 when the community chose their late Igwe, HRH E. M. O. Ezeh. Before his coronation, the community gathered and called him to lead them because of his love for and contributions to their growth. Prior to his emergence, Mburubu had chiefs who represented them, such as Chief Chukwu Anyiene from Obinagu, another from Uhuagu, and others. The late E. M. O. Ezeh hailed from Umudara. The people saw his leadership as a continuation of their collective progress and embraced him with trust.

In line with military government directives, Mburubu Community agreed to have an Igwe, and he was crowned in April 1976. Around July 1976, the government led by Col. Arthur Mkpere gave him a certificate of recognition and a staff of office. During his coronation at Umudara village square, the late Igwe asked Ndi Mburubu if he could be succeeded by his son whenever his reign came to an end. The community said no, stating that his Igweship was a result of his good deeds to them. Thus, his successor would come from any other village except Umudara and must be someone accepted by the majority of Ndi Mburubu. That was the origin of the rotation system, which means the Igwe would come from a village that was not that of the late Igwe and must be elected by the majority. This agreement was signed by the late Igwe and other stakeholders in the community as a constitution for Igweship selection, also known as the 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community Constitution, which is gazetted with the Enugu State Government.

At that time, despite the late Igwe being the majority choice, the late Anthony Nweke Chukwu from Uhuagu village and another man from Umudara contested against him. However, the late Igwe E. M. O. Ezeh was not selected based on the seniority of his village, Umudara, but on his popularity and good deeds to the community. In 1976, Uhuegbe village was recognized as the eldest village in Mburubu and received every accolade associated with that status. However, in 1977, a man from Umudara village, the late Ogbede Nwaonyeabor, took an oath and swore that Uhuegbe village was not the eldest in Mburubu but rather Umudara. Umudara village had settled in Mburubu before Uhuegbe, as Mburubu people were made up of different settlers from different areas. His action triggered debates that lingered for years and shaped the identity of the community.

In Igbo tradition, when someone takes an oath or swears before a deity, they are given one year to die or stay alive. If they survive, the other party is expected to purify them through ị́gwa ehụ, a traditional purification. However, Uhuegbe village refused to perform the purification after that period in 1978. Umudara village later carried it out and claimed the position of the eldest village in 1978. It is worthy of note that Uhuegbe village still contests the seniority issue to this day. The seniority conversation, therefore, remains a matter of perspective rather than a concluded fact.

Hitherto, no other village has taken any action to establish who comes next in seniority after Umudara, which means there is no known or verifiable order of seniority documented. These developments made it clear that the community's late Igwe was not elected based on village seniority. His emergence was grounded in community trust and service to the people.

The 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution

It was discovered that before 2003, many people had led Mburubu unions since 1970 after the war under the name Mburubu Progressive Union (MPU), which independently ran the affairs of the union. Leaders included Chief Nweke Onovo, Chief Sylvanus Njoku, and the late Chief Emmanuel Ezechukwu, with their own union constitutions. Their work defined the early democratic life of the community.

In 1993, a team of intellectuals from the community, led by Engr. Dr. D. C. Chukwu, came together to advocate for the establishment of a proper constitution to guide the union, which they successfully implemented. That constitution contained nothing linking the town union regulatory system with traditional leadership.

The community had other Town Union Presidents, including Chief Boniface Ogbede, the late Patrick Ifediora, and Mr. Livinus Edeh, who led effectively under the 1993 constitution. Their work maintained stability in community administration and established important precedents.

Conflict arose with the emergence of Chief Simon Anobi as a factional Town Union President and Chief Boniface Ogbede as another factional President in July 2003. Chief Simon Anobi was inaugurated with his faction in August 2003 and set up a committee led by the late Mr. Aniebonam Igbudu to write a new constitution, claiming there was no other constitution for the town union. Their action opened a new chapter of conflict in the political history of Mburubu.

During this process, no member of the Igwe cabinet was involved, no Igwe representative participated, and no discussion on the traditional institution occurred during the drafting of the constitution, as the traditional stool operates under established rules. The late Aniebonam Igbudu managed to smuggle several items into that factional constitution without community leaders' knowledge, likely due to personal interests. In the 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution, Mr. Simon Anobi single-handedly extended his tenure from three years to five years.

The illegal constitution positioned the community's Igwe as the Board of Trustees Chairman and patron of the town union, requiring his signatory. However, some village chairmen and other town unions across Mburubu refused to sign it. It was later rejected by the entire community. The propagators later used colleagues to sign secretly.

On January 4, 2004, the community convened at Obodo Uhuegbe Village Square to resolve the town union issue. They agreed that all actions by either factional Town Union President were null and void. Stakeholders preached for peace and ordered a confirmatory election where all male members aged 18 and above would vote to select the Town Union President between Chief Simon Anobi and Chief Boniface Ogbede. Chief Simon Anobi won and continued with his executives. This established that the 2003 town union constitution, drafted and signed between August and December 2003, was nullified by the community, and the confirmation election was conducted by the people, not delegates.

Town Union Elections

Some leadership interested parties became very powerful and consistently disregarded the majority opinion. Their economic influence allowed them to impose their will, especially regarding manipulations in the 2003 town union constitution and the zoning of executive positions.

Findings also noted that one of the late Igwe’s sons and Chief Simon Anobi influenced leadership selection in the community, including imposing the late Mr. Celestine Chukwu from Uhuagu Village despite local rejection. Due to lack of opposition, they initially succeeded. However, conflicts arose between the cabal and Celestine Chukwu over amendments to the 2003 town union constitution, already due for revision. Chukwu set up a constitutional amendment committee comprising men of wisdom from villages and branches, while the late Igwe nominated a representative.

The 2013 amendment was completed, removing the Igwe’s son’s power to control the election screening committee, as stated in the 2003 constitution. He then went to court to challenge the amendment. The case remained dormant due to limited resources.

After the expiration of Chukwu’s tenure, the late Igwe’s son zoned the presidency to Uhuegbe Village in favor of Ọzọ Kenneth Igbudu. Chief Simon Anobi opposed Igbudu’s candidacy, claiming he was a cousin to Celestine Chukwu, with past conflicts, and supported Chief Cornelius Okolie instead. Despite this, the people of Uhuegbe unanimously selected Mr. Calistus Chukwu, rekindling agitation as the cabal imposed their choice.

Afterward, Prince Ezeh, the late Igwe’s son, zoned the town union presidency to Obinagu Village to favor his personal driver, Hon. Emmanuel Edeh. Obinagu villagers rejected this and elected Ọzọ Sylvanus Chukwudi, popularly known as Morgodor, who won overwhelmingly. Prince Ezeh imposed Hon. Edeh on the community, disregarding principles of equity, fairness, and natural justice. His leadership symbolized the conflict between popular will and imposed authority.

Emergence of Engr. Dr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe

After the late Igwe’s death in December 2021 and burial in April 2022, the community mourned for over a year and decided to select a successor. A meeting was held at Obodo Uhuegbe Village Square with all people, the late Igwe cabinet, and the General Assembly. The community sought someone who would serve like the late Igwe, prioritize the community’s interest, bring development, be young and vibrant, and hold an Ọzọ title.

After deliberation and following the 1976 coronation agreement, Ọzọ Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe was chosen by the overwhelming majority. A delegation informed him of the decision. After consultations, he accepted. His name was submitted to the local government, then to the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Chieftaincy Matters between December 28, 2023, and January 6, 2024.

On February 2, 2024, the community held a grand reception for him, funded by community donations. Prince Ezeh and Simon Anobi attempted to disrupt the event using thugs, but the community intervened. Prince Ezeh even attempted to arrest Hon. Njoku Ifeanyi a day before the reception, which was prevented by community leaders and Ọzọ Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe. Vulnerable villagers attending the event were harassed, but intervention from Onuokaibe and security agencies ensured their safety.

Prince Ezeh’s Attempt to Impose an Igwe

While his father’s remains were still in the morgue, Prince Ezeh and Mr. Simon Anobi attempted to exploit outcasts to give Chief Simon Anobi access to the Igwe stool. This move was resisted by the community, who had capable defenders to match their oppressors.

Critical but Unanswered Questions

The community continues to ask Prince Ezeh and his cohorts: Where was the 2003 Town Union constitution when Chief Simon Anobi was taken to the governor after the late Igwe’s death for recognition? Where was the constitution when Hon. Emmanuel Edeh campaigned to be Igwe? Why reference this constitution when imposing town union presidents?

Igweship Selection Election

Prince Ezeh, Chief Simon Anobi, and their cohorts attempted to conduct an Igweship election using the controversial 2003 Town Union constitution, not approved or gazetted by the Enugu State Government, rather than the 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Community Constitution. The draft recognized six villages instead of seven and allowed only 18 delegates to vote, disregarding the community’s population of over 30,000. A court injunction prevented what could have been a disastrous election.

The Way Forward

Courts do not give communities traditional rulers; the people do. Mburubians must unite, withdraw all court cases, reject violence and intimidation, and allow the precedent of 1976 to guide the process. All parties should test their popularity among male and female indigenes aged 18 and above, as done in January 2004 during the confirmation election of the Town Union President.