Preamble
I read the above publication with rapt attention and devoted interest. I would have ignored the publication as a complete fabrications and distortion of facts, spiced with intent to mislead the unsuspecting public, designed to curry emotional sympathy. Such publications were usually authored by one Mr. Obinna Okonkwo, while he uses the name of an illiterate man that cannot write his name properly, as the author. Whenever, I come across such publications, I ignore and treat it with levity. And because I know, in the past, it has become an adopted style and trademark, I simply ignored it and allowed such publications to pale into insignificance.
However, I took exception to this publication because the blogger claimed in paragraph two that ‘an empirical fact-finding investigation was conducted by a community based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that go by the name, Peace International, based in South East. Initially, I thought it was an independent based organisation that wants to verify the true position of things. But, after reading the piece, I concluded that Mr. Obinna Okonkwo is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace International, and not an independent NGO as portrayed. In the same vein, I presume that the team of investigators that carried out ‘investigations’ are a clique of Mr. Jerry Onuokaibe’s loyalists.
Consequently, I was compelled to put up a rejoinder, with intent to state the obvious verifiable facts in proper perspectives, for the general public to have a clear understanding of issues.
In the said publication, it was claimed that on March 6, 2025, one Chief Simon Aniobi authored a publication titled ‘Facts behind Mburubu Igweship tussle’ and it was alleged that the author was motivated by personal interests and it contained falsehoods about the community. That allegation is not true. It is completely a falsehood. It further revealed the true identity of the mask behind the so-called NGO. It is not an independent NGO but Mr. Obinna Okonkwo, masking as Peace International. Furthermore, the publication stated that one community leader, Mr. Edwin Ezeh, wrote a counter-publication at that time, refuting all falsehoods. Humorously, everyone that had read that counter-publication attributed to Mr. Edwin Ezeh, was moved to pity. People asked rhetorically then: how can a well-dressed teacher that has difficulty writing his name be made to teach primary school pupils the acts and rhythms of ABCD. It was like the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob in biblical allusion. Meanwhile, the so-called NGO, has itemized its purported findings as follows:
Mburubu leadership origin
It is important to start with the real facts which Peace International ignored. The Mburubu community, just like other communities east of the Niger, operated warrant chiefs as a vehicle through which the colonial masters govern the local residents. The community had produced so many of such warrant chiefs, the good, the bad and the ugly. It was revealed that one of the ugliest of them all was one Chief Chukwu Anyiene, from Obinagu village which Peace International has pointed out in the write up. Unfortunately, the investigators forgot to add, that Chukwu Aniene, as a chief, was so autocratic and had held the entire community to the juggler. He was a terror. However, as the colonial masters left the scene, communities continued with the semblance of the Chiefs, as their leaders, to replace warrant chiefs. In 1976, the Military regime enacted a decree which compelled every community to choose one person as a Chief to be their leader and to intermediate between government and their communities.
Such a chief had responsibility to maintain an administrative system that guaranteed peace and harmony, in their respective communities.
Consequently, Mburubu Community decided to search for a credible person to lead them as a Chief, (known as traditional ruler). And before then, it was stated that Chief Emmanuel Monyelu Ogbuzulu Ezeh, was a notable figure in the affairs of the community. Records showed that he had championed a series of developmental initiatives in the community. He initiated the delineation, construction and demarcation of all internal roads networks in the community, that connects each village with one another, as they exist till date.
It was said that he provided free medical healthcare systems to the needy in the community, especially during the civil war, using his amiable wife, a qualified nurse, as a vehicle to achieve the goal. He was said to have coordinated other developmental initiatives that improved the living conditions of people. These rare actions at that time, endeared him to the masses. Therefore, when the need to select a credible, trusted, reliable leader with charisma, became inevitable, the name of Chief E.M.O. Ezeh popped up. And he was chosen to lead Mburubu community as a Chief, in April 1976, despite challenges from some persons that presumed leadership was about noise-making and false claims of non-verifiable achievements.
Coronation
On July 14, 1976, Chief Emmanuel Monyelu Ogbuzulu Ezeh, was officially crowned and inaugurated as a Chief by Col. John Arthur Mkpera, then Military Governor of old Anambra State. After the coronation, the government designed a code of conduct form in which all newly crowned Chiefs must endorse. It was a two-page document that specified the does and don’ts expected from the office of a Chief (Traditional ruler). The Code of Conduct documents, were transmuted
to become constitutions in various communities including Mburubu.
Item 3 of the document was titled ‘Basis of selection
That Chief Emmanuel Monyelu Ogbuzulu Ezeh was selected by a high committee of Mburubu town, representing all the families in Mburubu from among the qualified contestants of the post of a chief.
Item ‘4’ of the document was titled ‘Regulation Guiding the Chief of Mburubu’
The Chief as the father of the town should not do any action liable to defame his character or the town. It listed sub-items ‘a’ to ‘g’, which the Chief must not engage in, such as sleeping outside his compound or palace, taking bribes to pervade justice, wondering about in the market place, town, drinking wine, fighting his subjects, chasing women, etc.
Item 6 of the document states that ‘The Chieftaincy should be done on rotational basis of the choice of the entire community.
Item 7 of the document was titled ‘Respect to the chief
The Chief as the father of the town should be given the most honour and respect in the town. Such respects were listed on sub-items ‘a’ to ‘c’.
Item 8 of the document was titled ‘Chief’s Particulars
Under this, the full name of Chief Emmanuel Monyelu Ogbuzulu Ezeh, his educational qualifications, and occupation were indicated.
It was this document that was transformed as ‘The constitution of Mburubu Autonomous Community, Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Dated 14th July, 1976. It is important to note that as at 1976, there was nothing like Enugu State nor Nkanu East Local Government Area. However, the document was said to have been gazetted in the year 2010. The gazetting of the 1976 constitution did not render the Enugu State approved 2003 Constitution inferior, nor enhance the 1976 constitution as superior. Both legal documents command equal weight before the law. This was ruled by His Lordship, Hon Justice C.O Ajah Ph.D., in a lead judgement he delivered on February 12, 2025.
It is important to note that the name ‘Chief’ was later transformed into ‘Igwe’ in the course of time. Peace International should be more educated now.
Mburubu Town Constitution
The administrative body of Mburubu community was initially known and addressed as ‘Mburubu Progressive Union’ (MPU), as Peace International had pointed out, with the Chairman, as the leader. However, the author failed to inform the general public that there was a big crisis of leadership of MPU in 1983. This crisis was the result of a quarrel that erupted after launching a maiden calendar of Mburubu Progressive Union (MPU), Lagos branch, in December 1982. The crisis later led to fractionalization of the administrative body into two.
One faction continued with the name ‘Mburubu Progressive Union’ (MPU).
The second faction had its name changed to ‘Mburubu Development Union’ (MDU).
And both factions continued to operate separately for many years. They attended official meetings called by relevant state authorities, in their respective names. The implications were that Mburubu community attended official meetings, using two different distinct names. It was a big shame and a sign of disunity.
In 1992, notable individuals from Nara Unateze, spearheaded by one Bovive, etc. intervened. They called both parties to the negotiation table, with some of our sons in attendance. Luckily, both parties were able to resolve their differences and agreed to work together under one but a different name. This was because each of the factions rejected the adoption of any of the old names in the settlement process. To achieve peace and unification of both factions, the name ‘Mbururbu Town Union’ was adopted and the leadership nomenclature was changed from ‘Chairman’ to ‘President-General’. Just for the knowledge of the NGO.
Engr. D. C. Chukwu, amongst others, played prominent roles in the resolution of the dispute and he was made to lead the newly transformed Mburubu Town Union, as President-General, on interim capacity. He ruled from 1992 to 1994. The tenure of leadership then was three years and a person can be re-elected as President-General for only two consecutive terms. He did his best. He displayed aggressive leadership traits with a purpose to transform. Part of his contribution was an attempt he made to write a new constitution for the community, titled the 1993 Mburubu Town Union Constitution. Unfortunately, the initiated 1993 Mburubu Town Union Constitution, recorded the following shortcomings:
1) The document was not concluded to the approval stage before the initiator – Engr. D. C. Chukwu travelled to United States of America, in search of greener pastures. In the usual character of Mburubu leadership, the 1993 Constitution, was abandoned half way. And yet successive leaders continued to use uncompleted document, as it were.
2) Subsequent leaders stepped in as President-General. First, was ASP Boniface Ogbede. He was elected President-General and he ruled from 1994 to 1998. And because, he could not properly account for money under his custody, which the community donated for the electrification project, he was removed from the office. Then late Engr. Patrick Ifediora, was made the President-General, on interim capacity. He ruled from 1998 to 2000. There was a general election in the year 2000 and Engr. Ifediora contested for election but he failed in his bid to continue as President-General. Mr. Livinus Edeh (aka Chuzzy) was, instead, elected as President-General. He ruled from 2000 to 2002. He was overwhelmed by the demands of the office. He resigned as President-General. Chief Sylvanus Njoku, who was the vice President-General to Mr. Livinus Edeh, completed the latter’s tenure. Chief Sylvanus Njoku ruled from 2002 to 2003.
3) 2003 was another general election scheduled for April 9, 2003. It was during this general election that I, Chief Simon Aniobi, decided to contest and vied for the position of President-General. The crisis that followed was indescribable and unimaginable. Meanwhile, I introduced campaign systems for the first time in Mburubu Town Union electioneering processes. I printed posters and fliers to campaign. It was glaringly clear that I was cruising to victory on that April, 9, 2003. Suddenly, some people appeared on the scene from the blues and threatened to shoot guns if the election should continue. In his wisdom, HRH Igwe E.M.O Ezeh that was present at the venue as observer, cancelled the continuation of the election on April 9, 2003. He postponed the election for two weeks and requested that all those that came home for the election should return back a fortnight to organize and conclude the election.
4) Unfortunately, immediately people that returned home for Easter celebration left for their various states of abode, news filtered into the air that some few disgruntled individuals had organized a shenanigans form of election the next day, being April 10, 2003, and re-elected ASP Ogbede as President-General. It was a calculated attempt to close the chapter of my bid to contest as PG. But the community rejected the shenanigans election.
5) A peace committee was setup to resolve issues so that an election could take place. The crisis of leadership stretched to July 2003 from April 9, 2003. It was in July that the community organized an election and as expected, I won with a landslide victory as President-General.
6) Thereafter, the ASP Boniface Ogbede and cohorts instituted legal action to stop the newly elected Executive led by Chief Simon Aniobi.
7) It was in the course of the legal fireworks that we discovered that what Mburubu was touting and parading as the 1993 Mburubu Town Union Constitution, was indeed not so. The document did not belong to Mburubu community. This was because, so many village names are alien to Mburubu community were contained in the document. Further investigations carried out showed that these villages contained in the document belonged to Nkerefi and Agbaogwugwu communities. It was assumed that Engr. D. C. Chukwu did not erase such names before he travelled. And the document was neither registered with Enugu State Government nor signed as a legal document. And yet it was tendered in Court as the constitution of Mburubu community. Based on these shortcomings, Court dismissed the case.
8) It was at that stage that my Executive knew that a strong constitutional arrangement has become imperative to enthrone credibility, fairness, equity and justice in the administration of Mburubu and to guide future generations of leaders in our community.
2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution
My administration constituted a Constitution Drafting Committee led by late Chief Sylvanus Aniebonam Igbudu as Chairman, as pointed out by Peace International. Other notable sons of the community were incorporated as members, including all village chairmen, some chairmen of branches and two cabinet chiefs. Upon completion, the draft copies of the 2003 constitution were sent to all MTU branches, villages, and Igwe cabinet, for their inputs. It was not an easy task because, I had to travel to so many branches, with some of my Executive members, to achieve success. And upon the receipt of inputs from others, the relevant opinions of large segment of the community, were incorporated. The semi-final draft of the constitution was read, first to cabinet members and followed by same reading to the people of Mburubu community, at Uhuegbe village square. Peoples observations were incorporated into the document before the final draft was produced. Thereafter, the final copy that incorporated relevant observations and inputs of the diverse people of Mburubu community was read to the entire people at the Uhuegbe village square.
The rigours that were put into making 2003 constitution a reality cannot be described on this write up but suffice it to say that it was tedious but at the end, it became a reality.
The 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution was equally read at the 2003 general meeting held on December 27, 2003. It was after this reading and its adoption, that we went to press for printing and circulation to all villages, branches, etc. The distribution of the constitution to branches was carried out by myself, with some of my executive officers, at my own personal costs, with occasional support from Chief Sylvanus Aniebonam Igbudu. It is painful to note that some prominent sons of the community that worked for the success of the 2003 constitution, are antagonistic with the same document they worked tirelessly to produce. The betrayal of man is not new. It started with Judas Iscariot. We should not be surprised, but one thing is clear, every actions and inactions of man has a reward. The law of Karma.
Registration of 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution
My administration as President-General followed up with the registration of the 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution with the Enugu State Government. At the conclusion of the general meeting of Mburubu community held on December 29, 2004, it was approved that the 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution be registered with Enugu state government. An application was made and submitted to relevant Ministry in mid-January 2005. We continued to follow up and finally, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, granted approval to Mburubu community for registration of Mburubu Town Union.
The registration Number was given as: ENS/HDPR/TU/051, dated 16th May, 2005. And with this registration, Enugu State Government has accepted, recognized and approved the existence of Mburubu Town Union, along with its 2003 Constitution as a legal body. Peace International take proper note.
2013 Mburubu Town Constitution
It is very surprising to note that Peace International, that prides itself as an NGO, and carried a detailed investigation, could not discover that there existed 2013 Mburubu Town Constitution. This document was produced in 2013, at the twilight of Mr. Celestine Chukwu tenure, as President-General. The document lacked in all ramifications to qualify as a legal document. The producers introduced so many discriminatory provisions that were provocative. And the community unanimously rejected it.
Unfortunately, it was this uncompleted and rejected document that was used to challenge 2003 constitution at the Enugu High Court. After the successful conclusion of 2020 Town Union general election, One Kenneth Igbudu, instituted a legal action at Enugu High Court, challenging the outcome of the election. In suit No. HAMA/39/2020, His Lordship, Hon Justice JLC Okibe, in his ruling on May 22, 2024, dismissed the case challenging the authenticity of 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution, for lack of evidence. The sum of N100,000 was awarded against the plaintiff (Kenneth Igbudu). Therefore, the authenticity of 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution has already been tested at the law court and the document came out victorious as the authentic constitution of Mburubu community, and yet the so called investigation by Peace International failed to mention it in the fabricate write up.
A puzzle
Many a times, some people who never see and appreciate good things coming out from my efforts to lift Mburubu community from the valley of obscurity to the mountain top of popularity, always talk about confirmatory election in 2004. The confirmatory election of January 4, 2004 was done to clear all doubting Thomas, that then nursed an evil belief that I was not the authentic President-General. At the confirmatory elections, ASP Boniface Ogbede secured only two votes from the multitudes of people that thronged Obodo Ogbuke village square, in Uhuagu village. The two votes were cast by himself and one Mr. Jeremiah Eze, that later openly lamented bitterly at the village square, that ASP Ogbede had made him to waste his vote. As a matter of fact, ASP Ogbede was transfixed after the election and was helped up from his seat by Chief Chukwudike (Ikoro 1 of Mburubu).
The class of people that continuously present confirmatory election, still nursed the evil belief that all actions I took as President-General, before that event, should be regarded as null and void. Then I ask these questions with a view to unravelling a puzzle for clarity.
a) In August 2003, the Mburubu – Nara road, was in a terrible mess. Bicycles could not meander the impassable swampy water-logged slippery road, not to talk of bikes nor vehicles. Mburubu community was completely cut off from the rest of the world due to heavy rainfall. The new Town Union administration, which I headed, confronted frontally the menace. I mobilized willing allies during my inauguration as PG, to repair the road.
All and sundry applauded the new leadership for the bold aggressive action. I now ask: Should this well executed project in August 2003 be nullified because it was done before the so-called confirmatory election on January 4, 2004?
This is one puzzle you should help to untie.
b) On the assumption of office as President-General, the new administration was confronted with the problem of no secondary school for the community. My administration mobilized willing allies, energized our efforts and networking with relevant government authorities. Most of the costs, (about 90%) associated with these movements, were born by me. Our efforts were rewarded handsomely. On October 16, 2003, the Enugu State Government, granted approval for the establishment of Junior Secondary School, in Mburubu community. This achievement was recorded before the so called confirmatory elections of January 4, 2004. Again, my question is: ‘Could the community nullify this laudable achievement because it was executed before confirmatory election. Another puzzle that needed your wisdom to resolve.
c) We followed up with the commencement of the academic session in the new secondary school. And with the support and devotion of Mr. Anthony Chukwu, from Nomeh Unateze, the first Principal of Community Secondary School, Mburubu, we were able to persuade parents to send their wards to the newly established secondary school. Academic session started in the second week of November, 2003. Again we were confronted with challenges of no chairs and tables for the few teachers we sourced from the government.
To resolve the challenge, my administration, during the 2003 general meeting, held on December 27, 2003, galvanized willing members to contribute money. The fund we realized was utilized to acquire plastic chairs and tables, through a committee chaired by Mr. Christopher Onu, from Amanator village. The purchases were made on December 31, 2003. These chairs and tables were officially presented to Mburubu community on January 4, 2004 at Uhuagu village square. The question is, should these chairs and tables be nullified, simply because they were purchased before a confirmatory election? Another puzzle to untie.
d) However, all those opposed to all achievements recorded by my administration and who were bent on obliterating my accomplishments as President-General, continually placed emphasis on the 2003 Constitution, which they claimed was done before the so-called confirmatory election. They deliberately ignored other life-lifting accomplishments. As an analogy, the accomplishments of the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in the past two years and six months has far exceeded the total performance of many governors in eight years in office. Is it how long or how well? A transformative leader with focus must perform to improve the welfare of his people within the shortest possible time. My administration as President-General performed more than expectations. Do not forget the second primary school which we attracted. Do not forget the rural electrification which we attracted and completed. Do not forget how we persuaded the women to build a hall in the secondary school. Do not forget the efforts we made to renovate the secondary school blocks and persuaded the Kwara branch of MTU to erect classroom blocks. Do not forget the fundraising we made to generate funds with which we utilized to get approval for inclusion of senior secondary school so that our children can attend from JSS1 to SS3, etc.
Part 3. Establishment of traditional offices, of 2003 Mburubu town Constitution
According to Part 3, section 6, of the 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution, it provides as follows:
Rotation of office of Igwe. The office of Igwe shall be filled by rotation amongst the villages making up Mburubu in the Order of seniority. The claim in the write up of Peace International, that Umudara is not the eldest village in Mburubu, is simply the widest imagination of the authors. This was already a settled matter and anyone willing to contest it, should invoke traditional rites of appeasements and purifications. The fears are that such person(s) might not be alive to tell the story after admission of traditional rites upon themselves to prove otherwise, that Umudara is not the eldest village.
Town Union Elections and leadership manipulations.
It is quite unfortunate that the Chief Executive Officer of the so-called non-government organization, Peace International, has failed woefully, in carrying out detailed research, as postulated. Some of the facts stated above are new to him but he would always falsely claim that he is depository of historical knowledge on issues relating to Mburubu Town Unionism. While I commend his audacity, he should open his mind for more tutorials so that in future, he should be able to present facts the way they are. It is a learning process and he is not above coming into a learning curve. All Mburubu Town general elections has been conducted successfully, using the 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution. There has never being any manipulations by some individuals as he alluded to. It has always been in accordance with the provisions of 2003 constitution has been in operation for the past 23 (Twenty-three) years. The document has helped to stabilize the community in conducting Town Union general elections. It has also helped in the conduct of hitch free Councillorship election into Mburubu political ward.
The rotational arrangements for the offices of President-General, Councillorship and Igweship stool was and still remained the best to have happen to Mburubu community. The 2003 constitution has saved the community from serious leadership crisis, until the emergence of Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe.
Enugu State High Court Judgment Delivered on February 12, 2025.
The issue of Igweship election has been adjudicated and settled at Enugu High Court, but Peace International, failed to report this for public consumption. In a lead judgment delivered on February 12, 2025 by His Lordship, Hon Justice C.O, Ajah Ph.D., he ruled amongst others.
That 1976 Mburubu Autonomous Constitution provided for rotation of Igweship stool which 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution amplified that the rotation should be done among villages that make up Mburubu in the Order of seniority. Rotation cannot be done in abstract sphere. It is either done from top to bottom or from bottom to top.
That it is the turn of Uhuegbe village, being the next eldest village, after Umudara – the most senior, to produce the next traditional ruler for Mburubu community.
That Ozo Patrick Onuokaibe, having not come from Uhuegbe village, whose turn it is to produce the next Igwe Mburubu, was not qualified to contest the Igweship election.
That Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe was barred from contesting Igweship election, because he came from Umunafor village, that occupies the 5th position in ranking in the Order of seniority.
Furthermore, Peace International, a self-acclaimed NGO, that purportedly carried out detailed investigation, ignored or forgot to inform the general public that an Enugu High Court, under His Lordship, Hon Justice. J L C Okibe has issued an order restraining Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe from parading himself as Igwe-Elect, either in public or private spheres. That he has ignored the Court Order with impunity. Also, the Peace International failed woefully to inform the general public that Enugu High Court, under His Lordship, Hon Justice JLC Okibe, issued an order restraining Ozo Jerry Onuokaibe from organizing, promoting and celebrating new yam festival on 1st November, 2025, on behalf of Igwe cabinet, traditional institutions and Mburubu people on a false claim as Igwe-Elect.
As usual, he ignored the court order with impunity. In a related development, Peace International failed to unravel, in the course of its claimed investigations, that Commissioner of Police Enugu State, ordered the suspension of the scheduled new yam festival on 1st November 2025, based on security reports. Again, the order was ignored with impunity.
The resultant effect of the disobedience led to protests by youths and women in the community. The protesters were forcibly dispersed by security agents attached to him. In the process, some people were injured and the protesters reacted against the fellow protesters that were wounded. In the ensuing melee, some properties were damaged.
And few days later, Police started to carry out mass arrest of community youths and some elders. Based on the foregoing, an independent assessment of the issues, without prejudice, can attest to which side of the divide is responsible for the lingering leadership crisis in Mburubu community. And which side is dishing out falsehoods to confuse and convince the general public.
1. Is it the side that wants the community’s constitution to be sacrosanct and obeyed by all, no matter your status in the society, wealth or otherwise?
2. Or is it those that want the community’s constitution to be thrown to the dogs to satisfy the ambition of one man, then after that, what next
Way forward
The Mburubu community has a functional constitution. It was crafted and approved by Enugu State Government, 23 years ago, without having anyone in mind. The 2003 Mburubu Constitution, aptly captured our cultural values in which kolanut are shared among Umunna, in the Order of seniority. A junior person cannot collect kolanut before his elder in Umunna setup, no matter how wealthy, that junior person might be. Fortunately, this cultural trait and values was codified into constitutional arrangement.
Therefore, the simple way forward for the Mburubu leadership crisis, is for us all of us to uphold the constitutional provisions, as contained in 2003 Mburubu Town Union Constitution. All those with various ambitions that contradict the provisions of the 2003Constituion, should drop such ambitions, and follow the rule of law as enshrined in 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution. Once this is done, the wavelength of crisis will automatically subside and the needed peace and harmony will return to the land.
Mburubu community is a land of peace, and harmony destined for greatness. Let us unite in love, peace and unity anchored on constitutional provisions, to make it achievable.
On the other hand, the last hope of a common man to obtain justice is law courts. The failure to abide by the community’s 2003 Constitution, compelled seeking redress at the law courts. If law courts cannot settle or install Igwe, the simple path to follow is for all Mburubu people respect the provisions of 2003 Mburubu Town Constitution. The money both parties of the divide can be channelled to other productive ventures that is beneficial to the community.
High Chief Dr Simon Aniobi FCA
Ozor Obata Obie 1 of Mburubu
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