A crisis is brewing in Amankanu Ohofia, a community in Oduma, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, as a long-running dispute over traditional leadership deepens, raising fears of a potential outbreak of violence.
The Indivisible Umuolo Family, one of the nine founding kindreds of the community, has sounded the alarm, accusing certain individuals of attempting to disrupt the long-established chieftaincy rotation system.
The kindred warns that unless urgent action is taken, the situation may escalate beyond control.
In a statement to the press, the family called on Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Aninri Council Chairman, Ugochukwu Nwanjoku and other stakeholders to step in and restore calm.
“Our land has been under fire for the past 10 years since autonomy was granted,” the statement read.
“We want peace. Our people want peace. Amankanu deserves peace. But there cannot be real peace unless there is fairness. We are calling on the Enugu State Government, Aninri council chairman, and the general public to come to the rescue of our dear land.”
The Umuolo kindred claims that the root of the conflict lies in alleged efforts to overturn the rotational kingship arrangement that has guided leadership succession among the nine kindreds.
The tradition, they note, is supported by the community’s constitution and operates strictly by seniority.
Amankanu Ohofia was formed through the peaceful unification of Amankanu Ndi Ulo (Group A) and Amankanu Ndi Agu (Group B) and has adhered to a rotational leadership structure since it gained autonomy.
As the eldest kindred, Umuolo insists that it is their legitimate turn to produce the next traditional ruler.
“Our constitution clearly stipulates that kingship should rotate according to seniority,” the group emphasized.
“As the eldest kindred, it is our turn. But some have resorted to underhand tactics to deny us what is rightfully ours. Our birthright is not for sale.”
They warned that any attempt to violate this established constitutional order would amount to trampling on the community’s long-held customs and could result in serious unrest.
