By Ifeoma A. Ogbu
The Enugu State Government has reiterated that any escalation of community conflict will be regarded as a failure on the part of the affected Town Union, warning that such failure could attract legal sanctions, including dissolution and the appointment of a caretaker committee.
This position was made clear by the Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, Deacon Okey A. Ogbodo, during the first interactive meeting of 2026 with Presidents-General of Town Unions across the state, held as part of efforts to realign grassroots governance structures with the development vision of Governor Dr. Peter Ndubisi Mbah.
Addressing the gathering, Ogbodo explained that recent ministerial restructuring, including the creation of a new Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, was aimed at strengthening service delivery, accountability and efficiency in community administration. He said the changes necessitated a new framework for Town Union administration to ensure harmonious community relations and accelerated socio-economic development.
According to the Commissioner, responsibilities such as the registration, regulation and renewal of Town Unions, social clubs and community-based organisations have been transferred to the new Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. However, he said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development retains core oversight of Local Government administration and rural development, particularly in areas relating to conflict management, community development and grassroots mobilisation.
He listed the Ministry’s statutory responsibilities to include conflict management and resolution, community development administration, mobilisation of communities for self-help projects, coordination of development initiatives, rural development planning and implementation, community orientation and awareness, and the provision of basic rural infrastructure. Ogbodo stressed that these responsibilities would be carried out in partnership with Town Unions.
The Commissioner cited several laws that empower the Ministry to perform these functions, including the Enugu State Community Development Law, the Enugu State Rural Development Authority Law, the Fund for Rural Development Law, the Fire Service Law, the Local Government Law, and other relevant statutes governing local governance and rural development in the state.
He emphasized that the cardinal role of Town Unions remains the promotion of peace, unity and progress, noting that conflicts often arise from issues such as disputes over traditional rulership, Town Union elections and leadership, and disagreements over development projects. While acknowledging that conflicts may be inevitable, Ogbodo said Town Unions are expected to promptly engage the Ministry for lawful conflict resolution rather than allow disputes to escalate.
“In this context, any escalation of community conflict will be viewed as failure on the part of the Town Union,” he said, assuring community leaders that the Ministry remains open and accessible for dialogue and intervention.
Ogbodo further warned that any Town Union that abandons its mandate of fostering peace and development and instead becomes an obstacle to progress risks being dissolved and replaced with a caretaker committee. He explained that this power is provided under Section 26, subsections 1–4 of the Fund for Rural Development Law, Cap 82 of 1991.
He also cautioned against the formation of parallel caretaker committees, noting that Section 27 of the same law prescribes a fine or a six-month jail term for anyone who sets up, or aids and abets the setting up of, a rival caretaker committee outside the one constituted by the Ministry.
The Commissioner described Governor Mbah’s development agenda as bold, people-centred and results-driven, stressing that its success depends largely on the total commitment of communities and their leadership. He urged Town Unions to align fully with the governor’s vision in order to position Enugu State to benefit maximally from national political and economic opportunities.
He added that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development remains a veritable partner in progress with Town Unions, working to ensure effective community administration and alignment with the state government’s innovative development and socio-political agenda.
Speaking on behalf of Town Union leaders, the State President-General Coordinator, Hon. Arinze Ogbodo, commended Governor Mbah for his transformative projects across Enugu State, particularly in rural communities. He reaffirmed the readiness of Town Unions to partner with the state government for sustainable development, while appealing for improved monthly stipends, stronger mobilisation support and greater official recognition of Town Union leadership in government programmes.
The meeting ended with a call on Town Union leaders to brace themselves for responsible service and action in line with the progressive and people-oriented agenda of the Enugu State Government.
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