Tension flared in Enugwu-Agidi, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Friday, as thousands of angry women; mostly elderly and middle-aged, stormed the streets in a massive protest against what they described as “rampant land grabbing” and “abuse of power” by their community President-General (PG), Mr. Ebuka Onuorah.
Armed with placards and chanting protest songs, the women marched through the town demanding urgent intervention from the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. They warned that the situation, if unchecked, could escalate into a full-blown crisis.
“The PG wants to turn us into refugees in our own community,” lamented Mrs. Grace Aghauche, Women Leader and Chairlady of Etiti village. “We cannot be Internally Displaced Persons on our ancestral land because of his land grabbing activities.”
Aghauche accused Onuorah of abandoning the community’s constitution, imposing leadership structures, and silencing dissent. “He is intimidating women, and all our efforts to make the authorities listen to us have been scuttled. We’ve written several petitions, but nothing has been done. Every day, he encroaches further into our land, sharing it among a select few,” she added. “We want the PG removed over these notorious acts. We’re begging our governor to step in now so that peace can return.”
Another protester, Mrs. Chinwe Udo, painted a bleak picture of the economic toll of the alleged land sales. “Our ancestral farmlands are being sold off indiscriminately. We can’t even go to farm anymore, there’s no land left,” Udo said. “The PG uses security operatives to harass anyone who questions him. We’re living in fear. We need the governor to act quickly.”
The women also raised alarm over disruptions to sacred cultural practices, particularly in Etiti village, where they allege that burial and funeral rites have been tampered with.
Reacting to the protest, the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Agidi, His Royal Highness Igwe Michael Chidozie Okekeuche, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ichie Ifeanyi Ndulue, acknowledged the women’s grievances and assured them that steps were being taken to address their concerns.
“We are witnessing what no community should ever endure,” the monarch said. “Allegations of rampant land grabbing, abuse of power by those entrusted with leadership, and the imposition of parallel leadership structures allegedly fueled by the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Nigeria, are deeply troubling.”
He urged calm and restraint, reminding citizens that Enugwu-Agidi’s heritage is rooted in peace and brotherhood. “Your cry has been heard. But let us also remember: anger is not our tradition; violence is not our heritage,” the monarch emphasized. “Let us not allow chaos to consume what generations before us labored to build.”
Citing his powers under the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Constitution and the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law of 2007, the Igwe promised that a resolution would be pursued through dialogue and lawful means.
In a brief response, Mr. Ebuka Onuorah denied all the allegations leveled against him. “All those allegations are lies,” he said. “I am not a land grabber. I don’t even belong to the land committee. If they have grievances, they should channel them to the appropriate body.”
Despite Onuorah’s denial, the atmosphere in Enugwu-Agidi remains tense, with protesters vowing to continue their demonstrations until action is taken.
