….. Peace cannot be achieved without truth, fairness, justice and equity…..
From Ijeoma Nwajiobi, Nnewi
The Nnewichi community in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the Anambra State has shown their dissatisfaction over the outcome of the stakeholders meeting held by the Board of Trustees of the four quarters in Nnewi at the Igwe’s palace.
The meeting, which had in attendance all the four quarters Board of Trustees in Nnewi was centred on the implementation of Nnewi 1997 Rotational Agreement and Anambra State Local Government Administrative Law.
Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, January 18, ,2026, the BoT Nnewichi Chairman, Hon. Sir Fabian Obi said their able President General, Sir Emmanuel Chukwueloka spoke extensively on Nnewi Rotational Agreement of 1997 with proof to back it up during the meeting and he also stated how the Nzuko-Ora PG, Hon. Jude Osumuoh, the PG Otolo, Uruagu and Umudim signed a communique that they have agreed that the current Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo would be re-elected without the Signature of Nnewichi PG, Sir Emma Chuks, adding that his community was not recognised nor respected.
Hon. Obi disclosed that what annoyed them to leave the meeting was the gang up against the people of Nnewichi which according to him was not fair.
“Instead of them to stand on what 1997 Nnewi Rotational Agreement stated, they were busy given their own opinions, neglecting the 1997 agreement that allowed a zone to occupy their zoned position for a period of one tenure” he further disclosed.
He noted that those who were bought over at the meeting wanted to impose Mayor’s re-election on them, which he said they refused and left the meeting.
“If they refuse to accept what Anambra State Local Government Administration Law stated, and what Nnewi 1997 Rotational Agreement said, then they will meet us in court” he warned.
The secretary of BOT Nnewichi, Barrister David Ifeanyi said they were expecting a lasting peace at the meeting but were disappointed at what they saw at the meeting.
“We were expecting that the truth would be told on the rotation principle in Nnewi, agreed in 1997 but some persons were trying to twist the unambiguous contents of that document.
“So, when it became obvious that most of the members were not saying the truth, we decided to pull out” he recorded.
Barr. Ifeanyi said he was once a councillor in Nnewi North Local Government Area, first in 1998 under the Mayorship of Hon. Ernest Obiora, and came back under the Mayorship of Hon. Amobi Chikwendu.
“None of the Mayors stayed upto four years.
Hon. Ernest Obiora lasted for a year plus, then Amobi Chikwendu lasted for three years that was the provision of the law then.
“Since the 1997 agreement in Nnewi, no Mayor, nor Deputy Mayor has spent more than three years according to the prevailing law.
“Currently the 2024 law of Anambra State Local Government Administrative Law provides for two year tenure. This is the bone of contention for Nnewichi that the current Mayor of Nnewi North who is from Umudim will spend 2 years which he was aware even before he decided to vie for the position.
“He was elected on the basis of that law, why his decision now to go against the law.You spend 2 years, you give way for the next quarter which is Nnewichi for the current peace that exists in Nnewi to continue” he disclosed.
Sir James Aronu, one of the BoT members from Nnewichi extraction said the initial agreement must be maintained for peaceful coexistence in Nnewi.
The President General of Nnewichi community, Engr. Sir Emmanuel Chukwueloka said they were invited for Nnewi stakeholders meeting at the Igwe’s palace, reason they were agitating that Umudim community wanted to take what is rightfully theirs.
He revealed that he presented their case before them at the meeting with proof, alleging that the Nzuko-Ora PG unilaterally with other PGs decided for the people of Nnewi on the re-election of Mayor without consulting Nnewichi community that is also part of Nnewi.
“Before any decision must be taken in Nnewi, the Igwe and the three other Obis must be involved. No Mayor has stayed for fours in Nnewi North, it has never happened” he maintained.
Sir. Chukwueloka stated that Anambra State Local Government Administration Law and Nnewi 1997 Rotational Agreement on all political zoning agreement must be respected at all cost.
“Nnewichi should be allowed to take what is rightfully theirs, which is non-negotiable” he reaffirmed.