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Community News
Ebonyi community chase away governor's aide with stones over traditional ruler selection
Written By: Alaba Lambert
16 Nov 2025 07:53 AM
Izzo, Ebonyi – A peaceful gathering in the Izzo community turned violent on Friday when furious women led a protest against alleged interference by a top aide to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, pelting him with stones and forcing the abrupt cancellation of a crucial election for the community's first traditional ruler.
The incident has left the newly autonomous Izzo community on edge, with residents demanding justice and a fair redo of the process.
The drama unfolded at the Izzo estate square in Ishielu Local Government Area, where hundreds of men, women, and youths had assembled for a scheduled 10 a.m. election and coronation organized by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The event was prompted by a formal request from the Izzo town union to install a leader for the community, which was recently granted autonomy by the state government but had operated without a traditional ruler.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as initially hopeful, with community members eager to exercise their democratic rights. However, tensions escalated upon the arrival of ministry officials accompanied by Mathias Adum, the 70-year-old principal secretary to Governor Nwifuru.
Adum, who has been accused of showing an "uncommon interest" in the royal stool, introduced a last-minute requirement for State Security Service (DSS) screening of all contestants, a move that sidelined many aspirants and sparked immediate outrage.
The most contentious decision came when Adum disqualified the frontrunner, the community's most popular candidate, claiming he had skipped the DSS screening. This assertion was swiftly debunked by a female DSS operative present at the scene, who confirmed the candidate's compliance.
Adding fuel to the fire, Adum's protocol effectively barred women from voting, a blatant violation of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees gender equality and the Izzo community's own bylaws.
"These actions are a bad omen for our peace," one anonymous community source told DAILY South Nigeria, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal.
"Adum's overbearing influence and alleged corruption, including acting under undue gratification, have robbed us of our right to choose."
As frustrations boiled over, women at the forefront of the crowd began hurling stones and pebbles at Adum and the ministry delegation, chanting against what they called an attempt to impose an "unpopular contestant" favored by the governor's aide. The unpopular aspirant, reportedly too fearful to face a genuine election, had allegedly preferred a backdoor imposition.
Security agents quickly intervened, evacuating Adum and the officials amid the chaos, leaving the venue in disarray and the coronation process indefinitely suspended.
The clash highlights deeper concerns about external meddling in local governance, with critics pointing to Adum's usurpation of the state commissioner's role and his "overwhelming desire" to control the outcome.
This incident starkly contrasts with Governor Nwifuru's self-proclaimed "gender-friendly" administration, raising questions about accountability within his inner circle.
Community leaders and residents are now calling on Governor Nwifuru to intervene personally.
"We urge the governor to step in, call his aide to order, and ensure the people of Izzo are allowed to freely choose their traditional ruler," the anonymous source added, emphasizing the fragility of the "tender peace" in the area.
As of Sunday morning, no arrests or injuries have been reported from the skirmish, but the atmosphere in Izzo remains charged.
The state government has yet to issue an official statement, and it remains unclear when or if the election will be rescheduled.
For a community yearning for stability and self-determination, Friday's events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria's grassroots democracy.
The incident has left the newly autonomous Izzo community on edge, with residents demanding justice and a fair redo of the process.
The drama unfolded at the Izzo estate square in Ishielu Local Government Area, where hundreds of men, women, and youths had assembled for a scheduled 10 a.m. election and coronation organized by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The event was prompted by a formal request from the Izzo town union to install a leader for the community, which was recently granted autonomy by the state government but had operated without a traditional ruler.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as initially hopeful, with community members eager to exercise their democratic rights. However, tensions escalated upon the arrival of ministry officials accompanied by Mathias Adum, the 70-year-old principal secretary to Governor Nwifuru.
Adum, who has been accused of showing an "uncommon interest" in the royal stool, introduced a last-minute requirement for State Security Service (DSS) screening of all contestants, a move that sidelined many aspirants and sparked immediate outrage.
The most contentious decision came when Adum disqualified the frontrunner, the community's most popular candidate, claiming he had skipped the DSS screening. This assertion was swiftly debunked by a female DSS operative present at the scene, who confirmed the candidate's compliance.
Adding fuel to the fire, Adum's protocol effectively barred women from voting, a blatant violation of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees gender equality and the Izzo community's own bylaws.
"These actions are a bad omen for our peace," one anonymous community source told DAILY South Nigeria, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal.
"Adum's overbearing influence and alleged corruption, including acting under undue gratification, have robbed us of our right to choose."
As frustrations boiled over, women at the forefront of the crowd began hurling stones and pebbles at Adum and the ministry delegation, chanting against what they called an attempt to impose an "unpopular contestant" favored by the governor's aide. The unpopular aspirant, reportedly too fearful to face a genuine election, had allegedly preferred a backdoor imposition.
Security agents quickly intervened, evacuating Adum and the officials amid the chaos, leaving the venue in disarray and the coronation process indefinitely suspended.
The clash highlights deeper concerns about external meddling in local governance, with critics pointing to Adum's usurpation of the state commissioner's role and his "overwhelming desire" to control the outcome.
This incident starkly contrasts with Governor Nwifuru's self-proclaimed "gender-friendly" administration, raising questions about accountability within his inner circle.
Community leaders and residents are now calling on Governor Nwifuru to intervene personally.
"We urge the governor to step in, call his aide to order, and ensure the people of Izzo are allowed to freely choose their traditional ruler," the anonymous source added, emphasizing the fragility of the "tender peace" in the area.
As of Sunday morning, no arrests or injuries have been reported from the skirmish, but the atmosphere in Izzo remains charged.
The state government has yet to issue an official statement, and it remains unclear when or if the election will be rescheduled.
For a community yearning for stability and self-determination, Friday's events serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria's grassroots democracy.
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