From The Nijasun News Desk
Tension over the forthcoming Nnewi North Local Government Council chairmanship election heightened on Sunday as the Nnewi Solution Team declared that it would not relent until Nnewichi quarter is allowed to produce the next chairman in line with the long-standing rotational arrangement among the four quarters of Nnewi.
The declaration was made during a strategic meeting of the group held at the residence of its convener, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (Gabros), where members reaffirmed their resolve to defend what they described as the legitimate rights of Nnewichi in the August council election.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Chukwuma disclosed that the team had concluded a crucial meeting with the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, who, according to him, reaffirmed that the 1997 rotational agreement among the four quarters of Nnewi remains valid and should be respected.
He maintained that the team was determined to end what he described as attempts by “a few insignificant individuals” to deny Nnewichi its rightful turn to produce the next chairman of Nnewi North Local Government.
“We are putting out the fire. We have called on all sons and daughters of Nnewi, including those in the diaspora, to rally round and liberate Nnewi from the hands of those who have held the community to ransom. Our people in the diaspora are fully behind us, and God has intervened to save the situation,” he declared.
Chief Chukwuma said the meeting was convened to brief members on the progress made since their previous gathering, including consultations with the monarch and stakeholders across the globe.
According to him, the traditional ruler gave the delegation a firm assurance that Nnewichi should not be deprived of its constitutional and moral right under the rotational arrangement.
“Igwe is solidly behind us. He believes Nnewichi should not lose its rights. Everything must be resolved this week. This matter must end this week, and we must succeed in this pursuit,” he said.
The outspoken community leader dismissed arguments that Nnewichi lacks the numerical strength to produce the council chairman because it has only three quarters compared to Umudim’s seventeen.
“They said Umudim has seventeen quarters while Nnewichi has only three and therefore has nobody. That is not true. I am here, and I stand for the truth. Everyone standing for justice is here to support Nnewichi. They cannot deny Nnewichi its rights. Nnewichi must take its turn—no retreat, no surrender,” he declared to loud applause.
Chief Chukwuma further revealed that he had received several calls from influential individuals urging him to abandon the campaign, but insisted that he would not compromise on what he described as justice and equity.
“Some people have been calling me to drop this struggle, but I said no. What is right must be done. We will continue until justice prevails,” he added.
Several prominent personalities at the meeting echoed his position, insisting that the rotational principle must not be violated.
Among those who spoke were Anyanwuigbo, former President-General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Chief Bennett Ngonadi, Hon. Augustine Ikedoji, and other community stakeholders.
The speakers unanimously maintained that, in keeping with the established zoning arrangement, the incumbent Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government should vacate the position at the expiration of his tenure to enable Nnewichi quarter to produce the next council chairman this August.
They explained that respecting the rotational agreement would promote fairness, equity, unity and peaceful coexistence within the Nnewi community, while warning that any attempt to undermine the arrangement could create unnecessary tension.
Tags:
Nnewi North, Nnewichi, Gabriel Chukwuma, Local Government Election, Anambra Politics
