Tension is brewing in the Amaeze community of Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State following an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Executive Chairman of the council, Ajah Emmanuel Ogbonna, over a controversial mining directive affecting their land at Mboro Ajayim.
The meeting, held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Ivo LGA Secretariat in Isiaka, brought together political office holders, traditional leaders, development union executives, youth and women leaders, as well as other critical stakeholders of the Amaeze community.
Among those present was the member representing OHANIVO Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Nkemkanma Kama, alongside former council chairmen, past and present community leaders, ward councillors, political appointees, and elders.
In his opening address, Chairman Ajah reportedly conveyed what he described as a directive from the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
According to him, a mining company identified as Hephzibah and Beulah Concepts Ltd, owned by Mr. Anokwute Ndionuka Nathaniel Chukwunyere, must be allowed to operate on their land at Mboro Ajayim in the Amaeze community.
Although the company’s licence had reportedly been revoked by a federal mining authority, the Mining Cadastre Office, Hephzibah and Beulah Concepts Ltd has sued the Mining Cadastre Office, and the matter is currently before a Federal High Court of competent jurisdiction.
However, the meeting reportedly took a dramatic turn when stakeholders were allegedly denied the opportunity to respond to the chairman’s remarks.
Sources at the meeting said that after delivering the directive, the council chairman declined to entertain comments or contributions from attendees, including Hon. Kama.
Attempts by the federal lawmaker to address the gathering were reportedly turned down on the grounds that the chairman was acting strictly on the governor’s instruction.
This development has since generated disquiet within the community.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of Mboro Ajayim Land Association, Hon. Uka Francis, described the development as surprising, insisting that the Amaeze people are law-abiding and have never obstructed lawful business operations on their land.
He emphasized that the community’s concern was not about resisting development but about being denied the opportunity to express their position on a matter directly affecting their ancestral land.
Similarly, Chief Fidelis Akwa (Omeihukwu I of Amaeze) described the outcome of the meeting as unsettling, noting that preventing stakeholders from speaking at such a high-level gathering undermines democratic engagement.
He expressed confidence in Governor Nwifuru’s leadership style, describing him as a listening and consultative leader, and appealed for his direct intervention to clarify the issues and ensure a fair hearing for all parties.
Amaeze stakeholders have now formally called on Governor Nwifuru to intervene in the matter to preserve peace and transparency in the community.
The community leaders maintained that Amaeze remains peaceful and has no history of hostility toward investors.
They insisted that open dialogue and consultation are essential to resolving the current impasse surrounding mining activities in the area.
As of press time, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued an official statement responding to the concerns raised by the community.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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