Hon Cornel Osigwe
By David Onwuchekwa
The founder of the Nnewi Digital Community and aspirant for the forthcoming Nnewi North Local Government Chairmanship election, Hon Cornel Osigwe, has reaffirmed that the rotational agreement among the four quarters of Nnewi remains binding and must be respected.
Osigwe explained that the Nnewi Constitution, jointly established in 1997 by key stakeholders and the Nzuko-Ora Nnewi (Nnewi Town Union), contains a clear understanding signed and accepted by the four quarters of the town.
Speaking in an interview, Osigwe noted that the Constitution provides that major elective positions in Nnewi, particularly the President General of the community, State House of Assembly representation, and Local Government Chairmanship, must be zoned among the four quarters on a rotational basis per tenure.
According to him, this agreement has been religiously observed since its adoption in 1997 and has played a crucial role in sustaining peace and harmony in Nnewi.
He recalled that a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly from Uruagu, Hon. J.C. Okeke, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once attempted to recontest but was reminded by the Nnewi community and Nzuko-Ora Nnewi of the existing zoning agreement.
“He resisted the agreement and was fined. Although he went ahead to contest, Nnewi people voted for another candidate of their choice. Since then, the understanding has been respected by all,” Osigwe said.
He also cited the case of Hon Chukwudi Orizu, son of the traditional ruler of Nnewi and former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who sought an amendment of the agreement to enable him recontest.
“There was a belief that if he returned to the House, he would become the Speaker. However, the move to amend the agreement was rejected, and he was advised not to recontest,” Osigwe explained.
A similar situation, he added, applied to Hon Amara Anazodo, a former member representing Nnewi North, who was also restrained by the zoning agreement when he sought a second term.
“The price of peace is priceless. These individuals sacrificed their personal political ambitions for peaceful coexistence in Nnewi,” Osigwe said.
Addressing the zoning arrangement for the Nnewi North Council Chairmanship, Osigwe noted that the position was previously zoned to Umudim, which produced the current Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
He explained that Anazodo’s tenure would expire this year in line with the Anambra State Local Government Administration Law, which stipulates a two-year tenure for council chairmen.
“Unless the law is amended, every council chairman serves for two years. It was three years previously but was amended to two. By the expiration of Hon Echezona Anazodo’s tenure in September, the chairmanship should rightfully rotate to Nnewichi,” Osigwe said.
He disclosed that the incumbent mayor was aware of the two-year tenure from the onset and prepared accordingly.
“You cannot amend a law when you are the direct beneficiary. Yes, laws are not static and can be amended, but such amendments must follow due process and not be driven by personal interest,” he added.
Osigwe, who is contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), also outlined his vision for Nnewi North if elected chairman.
“I will ensure a lasting solution to security challenges in Nnewi. I will work to transform Nnewi from a largely imagined urban centre into a true metropolitan city, improve infrastructure, and upgrade Nnewi markets to international standards,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing the city’s importance, saying, “Nnewi remains one of the most populous cities in Nigeria, and it must assume and sustain that status in all ramifications.”
