There is a ray of hope in Mburubu kingdom, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the resolution of the prolonged crisis in the area over the choice of traditional ruler.
Mburubu came under serious crisis for several weeks as the community set to replace its deceased traditional ruler, late Igwe Emmanuel Muonyelu Ogbuzulu.
The move polarised the community. One of the groups was alleged to be loyal to the Enugu State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ozoemena Ezeh, while the rest members of the community were on another divide.
It got to a height with accusations and counter accusations coming from both circles.
The Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon Sydney Okey Edeh was also not left out.
However, on Saturday, normalcy returned to the community, with the feuding parties coming together and asking Governor Peter Mbah to present staff of office to the Igwe-elect, Ozo Chief Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe.
The event, which took place at Mburubu Primary School, had in attendance a large crowd drawn from the five villages across the community.
The various speakers said after all the considerations, they unanimously settled for Chief Onuokaibe.
First to speak was a community leader and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon Chijioke Nwachukwu.
Nwachukwu, who described the development as divine, expressed joy that the community had given Chief Onuokaibe the opportunity to serve.
“Today is a great day in our land as we are organising this event to enable our son, Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, whom we begged to be our traditional ruler, to come and accept our plea.
“The event is also one that would allow us to thank God for making this day a success. This is because from now, abuse of Mburubians, maltreatment, among other issues, would stop.
“We are also using this event to call on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, release his certificate and staff of office,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the ‘Ndị Nze na Ozo Mburubu’, Chief Sylvanus Njoku said the community was on course for progress and they have total belief that their Igwe-elect would take the community to the next level.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndịgbo in Enugu South Local Government Area and also the leader of the Ozo’s in Enugu South Local Government, Ozo Raphael Ugwu, said the tussle by some people over the throne should be commended because it would make the leader wake up.
In a remark, the Igwe-elect, Chief Onuokaibe, pledged his commitment towards the development of the Mburubu community.
He also vowed to collaborate with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whom he described as a disruptive innovator and good leader.
Chief Onuokaibe also thanked the Enugu State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ozoemena Ezeh for his outstanding contributions towards the growth of the community, assuring that he would work with him.
Mburubu chieftaincy tussle: Peace returns to crisis-ridden Enugu community