From Ijeoma Nwajiobi, Nnewi
The Nnewi Elites Forum has addressed the ongoing public discussions and concerns surrounding the rotation of Local Government Chairmanship in Nnewi, insisting that it is the turn of Nnewichi to produce the next Mayor in line with the 1997 Rotational Agreement of Nnewi.
While speaking to our correspondent, they noted that their position is guided by the following considerations; “the rotational agreement was established to promote fairness, peace, and orderly inclusion among the four quarters of Nnewi, the agreement made it clear that one tenure per quarter, without fixing tenure to a specific number of years.
“Secondly, we align with the wise counsel of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III (Igwe of Nnewi) who has consistently advised that Ndi Nnewi must respect constituted authority and operate within the framework of existing government laws, Anambra State Law provides for a two-year tenure and it is within this lawful arrangement that rotation must proceed.
“Thirdly, peace and consistency required that rules and agreement should not be altered in the middle of a process to favour or disadvantage any group, as our people says, laws are not changed on someone’s head. Any review or amendment of existing agreement must follow due process and should only take effect after the completion of the current rotation cycle”.
They firmly believe that respecting rotation today, safeguards equity tomorrow, honouring agreements builds trust among the quarters, and obedience to lawful authority preserves peace and stability in Nnewi.
“Nnewi has always progressed when wisdom, fairness and collective interest prevailed over sentiment and pressure” they recalled.
They therefore called on stakeholders, elders, youths, political leaders and community groups to support a peaceful transition and allow Nnewichi to take its rightful turn in the spirit of unity and mutual respect.
“Let peace continue to reign in Nnewi, let the agreement be honoured and let the collective good guide our actions” said Prince Udedike Nwosu, Convener.