The people of Nkomoro autonomous community, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have coronated Cletus Igwe as the new traditional ruler of the community.

The people trooped out en masse and elected the new monarch.

Igwe emerged as the traditional ruler in an election keenly contested by aspirants and polled a total of 734 votes to defeat his closest rival, Joseph Oganyi, who scored 387 votes.

In June this year, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Jacob Nwakpa, was coronated the traditional ruler of the community by a faction of the community, which caused a crisis with properties including houses and vehicles, destroyed.

Journalists who went to cover the coronation were attacked and journalists’ vehicles were vandalised.

Governor Francis Nwifuru had issued staff of recognition to newly elected traditional rulers across the state on 1st October this year during the Nigeria independence celebration and the 28th anniversary of the state.

Nwakpa was reportedly not given his own staff of recognition by the governor, a development that may have prompted the community to elect Igwe the new king of the community.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Oscar Nwafor, described the election as peaceful, free, fair and credible.

Igwe, in his speech, promised to rule with the fear of God, honesty, transparency and fairness for the peace and development of the community.

Ebonyi community gets new monarch