Members of the Edeaniagu Clan in Ishi-Ozalla Community, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Sunday dissociated themselves from the proposed Ishi-Ozalla Ofalla festival scheduled to hold on Monday, December 29, 2025.
The President General of the Edeaniagu Clan, Chief Uchenna Nweke, told THE WHISTLER that the clan had no prior knowledge of the planned Ofalla celebration and insisted that his people should not be linked to an event they neither discussed nor endorsed.
Chief Nweke explained that information about the Ofalla only came to the attention of the Edeaniagu people through social media platforms. He dismissed claims that the clan was involved in the preparations, stressing that those parading themselves as representatives of Edeaniagu were unknown to the clan. According to him, reports alleging that Edeaniagu contributed ₦100,000 towards the Ofalla were false, describing the claim as ridiculous and the handiwork of mischief makers seeking attention.
He further stated that the Edeaniagu Clan did not participate in the process that led to the emergence of any traditional ruler in Ishi-Ozalla. Chief Nweke challenged those spreading what he termed falsehoods to publicly disclose the identity of the individual or group that allegedly made any financial contribution on behalf of Edeaniagu.
Corroborating this position, a member of the Edeaniagu Royal Cabinet, Chief Peter Agu, said the leadership of the women and youth wings of the clan neither contributed nor planned to contribute to the said Ofalla. He warned all sons and daughters of Edeaniagu to completely stay away from the celebration, cautioning that involvement could attract spiritual consequences.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the crisis in Ishi-Ozalla is linked to disagreements over the traditional rulership of the community. Tension reportedly arose after certain interests opposed the ascension of Chief Chinedu Nweke, a popular actor, as traditional ruler following his election. The wider Ishi-Ozalla community allegedly argued that Edeaniagu Clan were settlers and therefore ineligible to produce the community’s monarch.
However, an independent researcher, BC Uroko, in his book “Edeaniagu Royal Kingdom, Aborigines or Settlers?”, concluded that the Edeaniagu Clan are the original inhabitants of Ishi-Ozalla. The book further stated that those labeling Edeaniagu as settlers were themselves migrants from Udi who were received and accommodated by the ancestors of the Edeaniagu people.
A human rights activist from the clan, Prof. Muna Nweke Okoye, appealed to the Enugu State Government to grant approval to the already pre-qualified Edeaniagu Autonomous Community as a lasting solution to the lingering conflict. He noted that recognition of the autonomous status would promote peace and stability in Ishi-Ozalla.
Speaking further, Prof. Okoye recalled that the clan’s forefather, Edeanigu, was widely known for his generosity and hospitality, having supported and sustained many families within Ishi-Ozalla. He lamented that despite this history, the Edeaniagu people were being treated unfairly, expressing confidence that history would ultimately vindicate them. He emphasized the clan’s desire for peace while reiterating the call for government intervention to actualize their approved autonomous community.
Meanwhile, the Royal Leader of the Edeaniagu Clan, His Royal Majesty Don Sylvester Nweke, called on his people to remain united and committed to the progress of the community. He reassured them of his dedication to fostering harmony and pledged to work towards making Edeaniagu a beacon of peace and development.