Pic: Prince Jude Osumuoh
By David Onwuchekwa
The controversy surrounding the Nnewi North Local Government Area chairmanship in Anambra State has taken a fresh twist, with the President-General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Prince Jude Osumuoh, declaring that no agreement has been violated and insisting that the incumbent Mayor, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, should complete a four-year tenure.
Prince Osumuoh maintained that the long-established rotational political arrangement in Nnewi provides for a four-year tenure for each of the community’s four quarters—Umudim, Nnewichi, Uruagu and Otolo—and not two years as being claimed in some quarters.
According to him, the understanding has guided elective political representation in the community for years and remains the accepted practice.
He dismissed as invalid documents circulating on social media claiming that two years constitute a full tenure for an elected Council Chairman, adding that no authentic or duly signed agreement to that effect exists.
“Nnewichi wrote to me seeking an interpretation of the tenure arrangement, and I told them that government is in the best position to interpret government tenure. I also reminded them that Nnewi has an established formula that has always worked peacefully.
“The arrangement is four years for each of the four quarters. No signed document supporting a two-year tenure has ever been presented to me as President-General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi. The one circulating on social media is unsigned and therefore invalid. If anyone has a duly signed document, let it be produced,” Osumuoh said.
The President-General further disclosed that neither his office nor that of the Council Chairman is at loggerheads with the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III.
He maintained that the monarch remains in harmony with the Anambra State Government led by Governor Charles Soludo on the matter.
Describing the agitation for a change in leadership as politically motivated, Osumuoh said those behind the controversy were merely in a hurry to occupy the office.
He also recalled that the matter had already been tested in court.
“They went to court over the interpretation of the 1997 agreement they often cite. The court acknowledged that it reflected the understanding of the Nnewi community but held that the decision of the political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is supreme in determining its candidates. Consequently, the case was dismissed,” he explained.
Reacting to rumours that Igwe Kenneth Orizu III might boycott the forthcoming Afiaolu Festival over the controversy, Osumuoh dismissed the speculation as baseless.
“Our Igwe is not in disagreement with the government. He cannot take a position contrary to that of the government. In fact, I just concluded a meeting with him, and we remain in cordial relationship. The rumour that he will boycott the Afiaolu Festival is completely false,” he said.
Tags: Nnewi, Anambra Politics #APGA #EchezonaAnazodo #Afiaolu
