A leadership dispute has erupted in the Ukawu autonomous community, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, as the reigning traditional ruler, Vincent Ajah, and former prime minister, Chief Omenga Elum, engage in a heated exchange over the monarch’s academic credentials.
Elum has accused Ajah of falsifying his First School Leaving Certificate, which he allegedly used to contest the kingship position. In response, the traditional ruler has dismissed the claims as baseless, branding Elum a serial blackmailer and asserting that he legitimately obtained his certificate after completing primary education.
During a press conference in Abakaliki, Elum called for Ajah’s resignation or legal action against him, alleging that no verifiable record of the ruler’s academic qualifications exists within government or private institutions in Ebonyi State.
Elum further explained that the kingship tussle began in 2024, with five contenders vying for the position. He claimed that Ajah did not meet key eligibility criteria, including traditional rites and marriage, before contesting. According to him, the selection process was manipulated using financial inducements, leading to Ajah’s emergence as king.
He also argued that Ukawu’s constitution only disqualifies individuals with criminal offenses, such as forgery or murder, from contesting the kingship. Based on this, he filed a court case challenging Ajah’s eligibility, citing concerns over his credentials.
Monarch’s Defense
Reacting to the allegations, Ajah, through his spokesperson, John Elom, maintained that the selection of the Ukawu traditional ruler is not primarily based on academic qualifications but rather on key attributes like literacy, nobility, and character.
He affirmed that Ajah met all the requirements before contesting and ultimately won the election with 570 votes against his closest rival’s 73. The process was overseen by Ikeuwa Omebe, the Commissioner for Rural Development, in November 2023.
Ajah was officially recognized as the Ogenyi IV of Ukawu by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, who issued him a certificate of recognition and a staff of office.
Addressing the certificate allegations, Elom stated that Ajah completed his primary education at Central School, Amankpuma Ukawu, in Onicha LGA, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1991. He further attended Government Secondary School, Afikpo, where he earned his West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1997, before obtaining a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Describing Elum’s allegations as defamatory and aimed at stirring public discontent, Elom emphasized that Ajah remains the rightful king of Ukawu, having met all traditional and legal requirements.
The dispute continues to stir controversy within the Ukawu community, with the matter currently pending in court.
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