Ohaisu Community Protests Recognition of HRH Okoro, Appeals to Gov. Nwifuru

From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki

Elders of Ohaisu Autonomous Community in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate reversal of the recognition of HRH Dr. Francis Okoro as the traditional ruler of the community by Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Okoro, alongside three other traditional rulers, was issued a staff of office by Governor Nwifuru on October 1, 2026, to formally assume office as the traditional rulers of their respective autonomous communities in the state.

The protesters, numbering nearly 100, were received by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. Emmanuel Echiagu, at the Government House in Abakaliki.
The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions, including: “Ebonyi State Governor Was Deceived,” “Dr. Okoro Was Not Elected and Cannot Be the Isuoha of Ohaisu Autonomous Community,” and “The Case of Ezeugoship Is in Court.”

Other inscriptions on the placards read: “We Want Peace,” “Ezeugoship Is Not for Sale; It Is by Election,” “Sanction Dr. Okoro,” and “Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs and Head of Service, Stop Causing Confusion and Creating Anarchy in Afikpo Local Government Area.”

Speaking to journalists, the spokesperson of the group, Chief Godwin Osu, said the community had instituted a legal action over the matter before the state government issued a staff of office to Dr. Okoro.

According to him, “A week before the staff of office was issued, we were already in court, and the counsel representing the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and other parties were present.

“So, the process is still ongoing when the staff of office was issued. What we are saying is that the right thing should be done.
“One village, Amangballa, out of the six villages that make up Ohaisu Autonomous Community, cannot produce a traditional ruler alone without the consent and participation of the other villages.
“So, we are demanding his outright removal. This is not to say that we are against the government. Dr. Okoro was not elected; we are only seeking justice,”

Also speaking on the aftermath of the inauguration of Eze Okoro, Chief Samuel Egwu said the development had generated serious tension, commotion and protests within and around Ohaisu community since October 1, 2026.

Egwu, who is also the leader of the Essa Ohaisu Ruling Council, called on Governor Nwifuru to consider the application of Section 12(c) of the existing State Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Law, Cap. 146, as well as Executive Order No. 002 of 2021.

“More importantly, Section 12 of that Law, Cap. 146, expressly empowers the governor to suspend or withdraw the recognition of a recognised Eze where any of the statutory circumstances prescribed therein exists.
“Of particular relevance is Section 12(h), which provides for such intervention.
“Another issue is that the tradition and custom of the autonomous community he purports to represent have not been correctly and properly observed in the process leading to his recognition,” he reiterated.

Addressing the protesters, Prof. Echiagu commended them for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their grievances and concerns would be communicated to Governor Nwifuru for his attention.