PRESS RELEASE; AMANKANU COMMUNITY DEBUNKS FALSE CLAIMS, COMMENDS NWANJOKU’S PEACEFUL INTERVENTION

DISCLAIMER !!! October 16, 2025 Amankanu, Oduma – Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State

The concerned freeborn of Amankanu Ohofia Autonomous Community, Oduma, in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, have issued a strong rebuttal to the false allegations circulating on social media claiming that the Executive Chairman of Aninri LGA, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, is interfering in the community’s traditional leadership process. In an official statement signed by Ekwe Ukah Theophilus M., on behalf of the community, the people described the allegations as “spurious, unfounded, misleading, and completely devoid of truth.” According to the statement, Prince Nwanjoku has never attempted to impose any individual as traditional ruler nor has he influenced the selection process. Instead, he has used his office to restore peace and stability to Amankanu after nine years of leadership turmoil, during which several community members were imprisoned and others lost their lives. > “Now our people can come home and sleep in their houses with their two eyes closed,” the statement noted, praising the chairman’s decisive intervention. The community clarified that the chieftaincy stool is zoned to the Umuoro clan, as contained in the gazetted constitution of Amankanu by the Enugu State Government. It emphasized that the selection and nomination process is still ongoing and that no one has been elected, selected, or crowned as traditional ruler. > “Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku has not imposed anybody, nor directed anyone to act on his behalf. The faceless ‘Chief Charles Mbah’ behind these baseless claims is an impostor who should disclose his true identity and family lineage if he is indeed from Amankanu,” the statement declared. The community described Mayor Nwanjoku as a law-abiding and principled leader, born into a royal family and fully knowledgeable about customs and traditions. They maintained that he cannot override any community’s constitution or engage in actions contrary to due process. They further dismissed rumours that the council boss risked losing his position over alleged involvement in chieftaincy matters, describing it as a “cheap smear campaign by desperate power mongers determined to undermine his hard-earned integrity.” Reaffirming their support for the Executive Chairman, the people of Amankanu commended his transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance, noting that he has appointed numerous aides from the community. > “We urge the general public and media handlers to disregard the malicious publication and verify all information before circulation. The chairman reserves the right to pursue legal action against those behind these defamatory statements,” the statement warned. The community also appealed to the Enugu State Government and the general public to ignore the so-called “kangaroo article” aimed at discrediting the council chairman, stressing that Amankanu remains peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to completing its traditional ruler selection process in line with its constitution. > “We stand firmly behind our Executive Chairman, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, and encourage him not to be distracted by desperate detractors. Our community is united under his visionary leadership and will continue to support his administration,” the statement concluded. E-Signed: Ekwe Ukah Theophilus M. For and on behalf of Amankanu Ohofia Autonomous Community