– Says, Brags That He Can Suspend Any Monarch That Flouts His Directive
There have been mixed reactions, as tongues are currently wagging following the suspension of the way and manner the Executive Chairman of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Hon Chika Okoroike, unilaterally suspended the traditional ruler of an autonomous community in the area for alleged disobeying him.
Okoroike, who seems to have developed a penchant for negative controversy and being in the news for the wrong reasons sometime ago, imposed a development levy of #1m on his political opponent, Collins Osuagwu, who contested the Isiala Mbano Chairmanship election with him. Shortly after the election, he tried to frustrate a building project that Osuagwu was executing by imposing all kinds of arbitrary development levies on him, contrary to the stipulated amounts payable at that point in time. He also reportedly meted out the same treatment on all those he perceived as his opponents or had contrary political opinions from his.
Some members of the community who commented on the recent development aside from condemning Okoroike’s actions, described him as a tyrant who detests any kind of opposition.
When contacted for comment Okoroike, who is said to often project a larger than life image, said, “as the Chief Security Officer of Isiala Mbano LGA, I have the right to suspend any traditional ruler who disobeys me, irrespective of his status were you not aware of when a former governor of Kano State deposed Enir Sanusi, who was a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Why is my own case different ? Please, note that I acted within the limits of my powers and authority”.
However, a cross section of Imo people have condemned Okoroike’s excesses, on the ground that he has no right to suspend a traditional ruler that was unanimously chosen by his people and given a Staff of Office and Certificate of recognition by the state government.
It was gathered that the traditional ruler’s suspension is in connection with the communiqué issued by the Council of Traditional Rulers Isiala Mbano Local Government Area chapter on the need to return the Okigwe North House of Representatives party nomination to Isiala Mbano.
The communiqué dated May 21, 2026 and signed by the traditional rulers in the LGA, including the victim reads thus, “
“Following a meeting of the Council of Traditional Rulers of Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, held on Tuesday May 21 2026, in Owerri, the council deliberated extensively on the current political developments in Okigwe zone particularly concerning the existing zoning arrangement for federal political offices.
After careful considerations the council unanimously resolved as follows.
1. “That the existing political understanding within Okigwe Zone ceded the Okigwe Zone Senate seat to the Otanchara/Otanzu (Okigwe/Onuimo LGA bloc) from 2023 up to the year 2031.
2. That in the spirit of fairness, equity, political balance, and inclusiveness, the Okigwe North Federal House of Representatives seat was correspondingly ceded to Isiala Mbano Local Government Area for the period 2023-2031.
3. That the Council expresses deep concern and dissatisfaction over the outcome of the recent House of Representatives primary election, which moved the party nomination to Onuimo Local Government Area contrary to the existing zoning arrangement and political understanding within the zone.
4. That the action has created widespread feelings of marginalization and exclusion among the people of Isiala Mbano, particularly as it would leave the LGA without meaningful federal political representation during the period under consideration.
5. That the Council notes with concern that Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, with a voting strength of over 250,000 voters, possesses a larger electoral population than the combined voting strength of Okigwe and Onuimo Local Government Areas, thereby making the present development inconsistent with the principles of equity, fairness, and democratic inclusion.
6. That the Council strongly reaffirms its commitment to the existing zoning arrangement which currently favours Isiala Mbano Local Government Area for the Okigwe North Federal House of Representatives seat from 2023-2031, and therefore calls for strict adherence to the zoning understanding in the interest of peace, unity, justice, fairness, and harmonious coexistence among all component local government areas within Okigwe Zone.
7. That the Council hereby resolves to seek an audience with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, to formally present the grievances and concerns of the people of Isiala Mbano and to respectfully appeal for his urgent fatherly intervention in the interest of justice, peace, fairness, and political balance.
The Council remains confident in the commitment of His Excellency to equity, inclusive governance, and the sustenance of peace and harmony within Imo State”.
