By Francis Igata
ENUGU—To stave off leadership crisis in a bid to replace their late traditional ruler, the people of Ogonogoeji Ndiagu Akpugo Autonomous Community in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have adopted Chief John Nneji as the Igwe-elect.

Chief Nneji, who is awaiting the state government’s recognition,  is to fill the vacancy created by Igwe Gabriel Nnaji who died last year.

The adoption of Chief Nneji became necessary, following a recent attempt by some members of the community to present another candidate to the authority as Igwe-elect.

Reacting to the development, the community, issued a statement announcing that Chief John Nneji who was presented to the Nkanu West Local Government authority on July 25th 2014, was the duly nominated Igwe-elect.

In the statement made available to newsmen in Enugu, the town union leadership alleged plans by some people in the community to deceive the people of O’Eji Ndiagu and the entire public on the issue.

The statement, signed by the President General of the town union, Chief Augustine Ede, Secretary General Prince Goddy Nnaji and four others, noted that the other candidate was not nominated by anybody in the community nor did he obtain application form from the chieftaincy selection committee.

“That he was never in anyway eligible to be a traditional ruler in our community. Those making claims that they are the executives of the town union and other mentioned names are impersonators.

“That the person duly nominated and recognized by the Ogonogoeji Ndiagu Akpugo Community as Igwe elect is Chief John Nwafor Nneji and have been presented to the Nkanu West Local Government authority on July 25th 2014.

“We the executive members of the town union and the Chieftaincy selection committee appeal to the public to discountenance the report because there is only one Igwe-elect for the community,” the statement read.