By Douglas Princemola
Concerned Citizens of Egbuoma Ancient Kingdom have broken their silence over the longstanding controversy surrounding the traditional rulership of the kingdom, calling on the Imo State Government to urgently intervene and ensure that due process is followed in the selection and recognition of the next Traditional Ruler.
The group said it had remained silent for a long time in the interest of peace, but that the situation had become too serious to ignore. They recalled the slogan of the Egbuoma Elder Supreme Council, “An elder does not stay at home while a goat gives birth tied to a stake,” as well as their own slogan, “Tell Egbuoma the truth.”
According to the concerned citizens, the present controversy cannot be separated from the history of the Ezeship stool, which they traced to the death of Eze Okorie Ogbuehi in 1983 and his burial in 1984. They stated that his first son, Eze Anogbumba Okorie Ogbuehi, popularly known as “Iri Ndo,” subsequently became king.
The group, however, raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his coronation and called on those familiar with the history to clarify whether the Oluoha formally crowned Eze Anogbuomba and whether the coronation followed the traditional process. They said such clarification is important because, according to their understanding, the coronation of an Egbuoma monarch should involve the presence of Egbu people and the formal role of the Oluoha.
The concerned citizens also recalled what they described as a period of intimidation during the reign of Eze Anogbumba Okorie Ogbuehi, alleging that some people who attempted to speak about issues affecting the kingdom were accused of wrongdoing and reported to the authorities. They said some were arrested while others allegedly fled, adding that the issues were never satisfactorily resolved in the public domain.
Eze Anogbuomba Okoroegbuehi remained on the throne until his death in 2021, giving him an approximately 40-year reign. The group said his death again generated concerns over whether Egbu people were adequately informed about the condition and whereabouts of their traditional ruler.
They further recalled that the then Eze Imo became involved in the matter and reportedly tasked the then President-General with speaking up about the whereabouts of the monarch. According to the group, there was also a warning concerning funds allocated to the traditional ruler, with the then President-General allegedly told that any money collected after the monarch’s death would have to be refunded or could result in legal consequences.
The latest controversy reportedly intensified on September 8, 2026, when Eugene Ogbuehi allegedly gathered a group of people at the Palace of Eze Egbuoma Ancient Kingdom and announced Denton Ogbuehi as the Traditional Ruler.
The concerned citizens questioned the authority behind the reported declaration, maintaining that the recognition and installation of a Traditional Ruler should follow the appropriate legal and administrative procedures of the Imo State Government.
They noted that several individuals had already expressed interest in the Ezeship stool and had made presentations to the relevant authorities, including the Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The group therefore appealed to the Executive Governor of Imo State to urgently intervene, examine the claims and submissions of all interested parties, and ensure that the person who is duly qualified and entitled under the applicable rules is officially recognized.
They stressed that their demand is not intended to cause conflict but to prevent one, insisting that transparency, fairness and respect for constituted authority are necessary to preserve peace and unity in Egbuoma Ancient Kingdom.
The Concerned Citizens said they are speaking now because they believe that unresolved questions from the past should not continue to influence the future of the kingdom. They urged the state government, traditional authorities, elders, members of the royal family and all stakeholders to approach the matter with wisdom and allow due process to prevail.
Their message, they said, remains simple: “Tell the Egbuoma the truth.”
The petition was signed by Nze Gregory Obi, President, and Pst. Anthony Ononuju, Secretary. Other listed signatories include Chief Linus Chinyerenwa (DSP Rtd.) and Nze Smart Nnaeto.
- Comr. Ikenna Nduka
- Elder Kenneth Nnanna
- Elder Emmanuel Eziukwu
6 Hon. Comr. Uche Chukwudi
- Comr. Longinus Ejeawa
- Nze Chinedu Odinkeme
- Hon. Nkeonyelosoya V. Okeke
- Comr. Tochi C. Adikea
- Comr. Samson D. Ijeoma
- Engr. Comr. Ndubuisi A. Chibueze
- Comr. Henry Iwuchukwu
- Mr. Titus Ihezue
- Comr. Austin Okorie
- Comr. Anayo Nduka
- Comr. Justice A. Okorie
- Comr. Ijele Queentus Oba
- Comr. Kelechi Chnyere
- Engr. Comr. Endy Okorie
- Mr. Uzokwe Sylvester
- Mr. Stephen Okorie
Signed on behalf of Concerned Citizens of Egbuoma Ancient Kingdom Oguta L.G.A. Imo State.
CC:
- Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
- His Royal Majesty, Eze Okeke
The Chairman of the Traditional Council, Imo State.
- The Executive Chairman Oguta Local Government Area
- The Chairman of Traditional Council, Oguta Local Government His Royal Majesty, Eze Franklin Okafor
- The Commissioner of Police Imo State Police Command
- The Director, State Security Services, Imo State.
In summary, the Egbuoma Ezeship controversy has reopened longstanding questions about succession, coronation procedures, the history of the traditional institution and the handling of the previous monarch’s death. Concerned citizens are now calling for urgent government intervention, transparency and due process to prevent further tension and ensure a peaceful resolution to the Ezeship question.
