The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) in Enugu State has called on Governor Peter Mbah to intervene urgently in the escalating crisis in Mburubu, Nkanu East Local Government Area. The community has been embroiled in a long-standing leadership dispute that has worsened due to allegations of political interference by Prince Lawrence Ezeh, the State Commissioner for Science and Technology.

In a statement issued on Friday, the OYC’s State Chairman, Comrade David C. Ani, revealed that the council had received multiple complaints from Mburubu residents about the actions of Ezeh, whom they accuse of contributing to the community’s tensions.

The crisis came to a head on December 1, 2025, after the Mburubu General Assembly accused Ezeh of arming youths and orchestrating violent attacks on members of the community. Several people were reported injured, and property was destroyed in the attacks. Additionally, the commissioner is alleged to have launched media attacks against Engr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, a contender for the traditional rulership of the community, further inflaming the situation.

According to Chief Aniobi Vincent Okafor, a stakeholder in the community, the violence is tied to a protracted dispute over the traditional leadership position, with the commissioner allegedly supporting certain factions in the dispute. The OYC’s independent fact-finding mission, which involved speaking with community elders, youths, and other stakeholders, uncovered widespread fear of political interference in the traditional leadership process.

In addition to the incidents in Mburubu, similar unrest has been reported in Nomeh Unateze, another community in Nkanu East LGA. There, residents have accused Hon. Uche Anichukwu, the Governor’s Special Adviser, of being involved in the ongoing conflicts. These issues, some of which are already in court, have raised fears of further violence and instability.

The OYC’s statement emphasized the need to preserve the independence of traditional institutions in the region, stressing that leadership selection should follow the community’s established customs and procedures, free from political interference. The group urged Governor Mbah to intervene and take immediate steps to prevent further violence, intimidation, and destruction of property.

“As a youth body committed to peace, unity, and justice in Igboland, we are deeply concerned about the emerging pattern of unrest tied to political interference in local community structures,” the OYC statement concluded.

The group called on the Governor, security agencies, and local leaders to act swiftly to restore peace and prevent the situation from escalating further. The OYC also urged Governor Mbah to caution officials like Ezeh and Anichukwu, ensuring they do not contribute to instability in the region.

With the increasing political tension and allegations of external influence, the people of Mburubu and Nomeh Unateze fear that the disputes, if left unaddressed, may undermine long-term peace and development in Enugu State.