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Disagreement over
leadership has engulfed the Igbo community in Adamawa State, putting
Godwin Omenaka, the Onyendu Ndi Igbo of Adamawa, against Samuel O.
Ebis, Eze Ndi Igbo II of Adamawa, in a battle of supremacy.

Briefing
journalists on the stand-off within the Igbo socio-cultural group, the
President General of the Igbo Cultural Association, Ofor Eze Nwachukwu,
said on the matter of the Eze Ndigbo tussle in Adamawa, the association
recognised Godwin Omenaka as the Onyendu Ndi Igbo of Adamawa State.

The group premised
its decision on a recent court ruling that neither the plaintiff, G. N.
Obutech, nor the defendant, S. O. Ebis, has validly been appointed or
installed as the Nze Ndi Igbo II of the state.

The court
consequently ordered the post of Eze Ndi Igbo vacant and “requested the
conduct of a fresh fair, free, and credible election to fill the vacant
post.” Mr. Ebis, who was aggrieved with the judgement, appealed to the
Court of Appeal, Jos.

“The main issue in
the crisis that engulfed the entire Igbo community in Adamawa State in
respect of the chieftaincy is the way and manner Mr Ebis procured the
late Dan Amar Jimeta (District Head of Jimeta) to turban him as the Eze
Ndi Igbo II of Adamawa State, after his attempt to get the blessing of
the Igbo council of elders under the Igbo Cultural Association (ICA) of
Adamawa State failed,” Mr. Nwachukwu said.

While the
chieftaincy tussle dragged on, one of its principal actors, Igwe G.N.
Obuteh died, and the ICA of the state invited nominations for screening
and election of a new chief for the community. Mr. Ebis allegedly
refused to participate in the process.

Recognised by all

The association
said it was forced to carry out the exercise and, “in accordance with
Igbo customs, as enshrined in the ICA constitution of Adamawa State,
Igwe Godwin Omenaka, emerged as the duly elected Onyendu Ndi Igbo of
Adamawa State.” Mr. Ebis, however, debunked claims that he is acting
against constituted authority. He said it was Mr. Nwachukwu who is
rather seeking to stir confusion among the Igbos by the introduction of
new dimension to the title of Eze Ndi Igbo II of Adamawa State after
the death of Mr Obuteh. He said this was contrary to the position of
the Adamawa Emirate Council and Ohaneze Ndigbo.