Tension has continued to rise in the Ndiowu community, located in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as a man identified as Chukwuemeka Paul Nwafor has raised the alarm over alleged attempts to compel him to assume the position of the community’s traditional ruler.
The troubled community, known for its rich agrarian heritage, has been enmeshed in a prolonged leadership crisis between two rival groups, the Aru and Mgbom factions, whose rivalry dates back several decades.
According to community sources, the Aru people, said to have migrated from Aruchukwu, conquered the Mgboms and took control of the town’s leadership and chieftaincy structures many years ago. The chieftaincy stool has since remained with the Aru faction.
Crisis reportedly deepened after the death of Chief Eze di Oruma I of Ndiowu in 2012. Since his demise, the community has been unable to install a new traditional ruler due to fierce opposition to the selection of the next heir to the throne.
The Nation gathered on Friday, March 17, 2023, that Mr Nwafor, who is next in line to be king, has come under intense pressure to accept the kingship.
According to him, he and his family have received threat letters and survived assassination attempts following the announcement of his selection as king, and it is taboo to reject an offer.
Mr Nwafor alleged that members of the Mgbom community may be behind the threats.
Community elders revealed that, according to local customs, no one else can ascend the throne as long as the rightful heir is alive, which has further escalated tensions. “The situation has made him a target. He has been receiving threats and has gone into hiding,” a source said.
Several peace meetings have been held over the years, but none have yielded lasting results. The prolonged dispute has also hindered development in Ndiowu, with reports indicating that the community lacks a unified constitution or leadership framework.
The division is further reflected in the existence of two separate cultural festivals celebrated in the same month, Ikeji by the Aru and Okponsi by the Mgbom.
Residents say the ongoing feud has robbed the community of government presence and development opportunities, leaving Ndiowu in a state of uncertainty and stagnation.