The controversy elicited by the leadership crisis rocking the Obi Mbieri community has continued unabated despite serious peace initiatives by concerned persons.
The controversy which reportedly arose from the absence of the community’s traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Dr Josiah Osuji from for over 4 years and the reports that his son is scheming to ascend the throne contrary to land laid down procedure and guideline.
The latest development is hinged on a letter purportedly written by the Eze, cancelling the planned installation of a Village Head by the people of Umuotunwoke village in Obi Mbieri community.
Umuotunwoke village, in a letter captioned, “RE: NOTICE OF PURPORTED CANCELLATION OF THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY”, signed by, “Basil Onwuzuruike, Chairman, Umuotunwoke Village, Umuagwu Obi Mbieri and copied to “The President General Umuagwu Town Union, The Commissioner of Police Imo State, The D.P.Ο Mbieri Police Division, Chief (Apst) Chinedu Onwuzuruike and Others said, “I came across a letter purportedly written with your letter headed paper without the known seal of authority associated with the Eze, dated 3rd April, 2025 also with the above caption, signed by a purported Palace Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Ahuokpoeme. The letter was copied to some quarters and as well to the Secretary Umuotunwoke Village Head Installation Central Planning Committee and President General Umuagwuru Mbieri.
First and foremost, the letter was not addressed to the elected Chairman of Umuotunwoke Village. Secondly, the letter was not addressed to the President General Umuagwuru Community who by his position is the apex leader of the Umuagwuru Community. The Eze Obi Mbieri by his cultural exposure cannot commit this proverbial blunder of” skipping the head to fracture the neck”.
The letter also expressed doubt that the HRH, Eze (Dr) Josiah Osuji who has not been seen or heard directly by any of his subjects for almost four years actually cancelled the installation ceremony.
Continuing, Umuotunwoke village identified some flaws which, according to them, raise suspicion that Eze Dr Osuji actually wrote the letter which they said, lacking legal backing in several ways.
“Furthermore, there are flaws in that letter and misinformation about non presentation of our Village Head to the Eze and Obi Mbieri Eze-in-Council, Through this medium, I stand to state that Umuotunwoke people reject the cancellation of the installation injunction written in your letter as such ill cultural orders cannot be coming from the Eze Osuji we know. Following your wrong claims, may we remind you that Umuotunwoke Village had presented her Village Head to the Eze Osuji in 2017 and what we are doing is the ceremony associated with it? It is obvious that we have not in any way violated any of the laws guiding Chieftaincy and Obi Mbieri Autonomous Community or Eze-in-Council of Obi Mbieri that could lead to your request. Umuotunwoke has elected her leaders and Village head. The powers of the Eze in this circumstance are well known and defined. Umuotunwoke has not violated any known law and as such the Eze that we know cannot write this type of letter that lacks cultural coherence. This letter cannot be from the Eze we know.
With due respect sir, if you think that there are issues with our ceremony, I appeal to you, whenever you arrive home, invite us officially to meet you one on one to ratify and also deliberate in detail the leadership and progressive affairs concerning Umuotunwoke Umuagwu. On this issue, we shall honour your invitation”.
