Tension is brewing in Nnobi Community in Idemili South Local government area community over Chieftaincy title between two illustrious sons of Nnobi High Chief Hamilton Emeka Ezeonu and Prof Amb. Jerry Ugokwe
A cross section of the community have insisted that High Chief Emeka Hamilton Ezonu is the duly recognized Ikemba of Nnobi.
The declaration came amidst efforts of the supporters of Ambassador Jerry Ugowke, former House of Representatives member to battle Ezeonu to a standstill and wrestle the title of Ikemba genuinely bestowed on him by the traditional ruler of Nnobi, Igwe Engr Nick Obi (FNSE).
Chief Ezonu was along with the prominent and illustrious sons of Nnobi confered with special title by the traditional ruler and Ezeonu’s title was Ikemba, Nnobi.
But Ugokwe protested against the conferement,saying that he was awarded the title by late Igwe of Nnobi, Edmund Ezeokoli in 1999.
However, in a bid to resolve the matter, a peace Committee convened by Okpala, Nnobi, Chief Ifezue Onyechi, made up of 30 members, 9 from each of the three quarters of Nnobi of Awuda, Ngo and Ebenesi was set up.
The peace Committee was said to have recommended for both Ezeonu and Ugokwe to use both title.
But some elements within the committee said to be working for Ugokwe were said to have doctored the report for Ezeonu to drop Ikemba title for Ugokwe.
However supporters of Ezeonu who said he has been working to lift the community insisted that he is the authentic Ikemba of Nnobi and there is no way he would drop the title.
A member of the committee who was angered by the alleged doctoring of the committee report had filed petition against the four members who were accused of being behind the forging of the report.
A source who pleaded anonymity said High Chief Ezeonu has more than enough reasons to bear the Ikemba title because it was a special title which he was made to go through screening before it was bestowed on him and Ezeonu equally satisfied all the requirements before the tittle was bestowed on him, meeting all constitutional requirements of the community.
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