By David Onwuchekwa
His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, the Igwe of Nnewi, has clearly declared his position amid rising controversy over an alleged attempt to elongate the tenure of the incumbent Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
The monarch made his stance known while addressing members of the Nnewichi community, who staged a peaceful protest at his palace, rejecting any move to grant a second tenure to the sitting chairman in violation of the 1997 Nnewi Rotational Agreement.
The protesters argued that the alleged tenure elongation not only contradicts the long-standing rotational arrangement among the four quarters of Nnewi but also violates the 2024 Anambra State Local Government Administration Law, which stipulates a two-year tenure for all local government chairmen in the state.
The protest, which took place on Monday, January 19, 2026, was led by the Obi of Nnewichi, His Royal Highness Obi George Onyekaba (Obidiugwu), alongside the President General of Nnewichi Community, Engr. Sir Emmanuel Udoka Chukwueloka.
Community members carried placards bearing inscriptions such as:
“Nnewichi Community wants to hear from Igwe Nnewi”
“Nobody’s political interest is worth the stagnation of Nnewi”
“Only the State Government can determine the tenure of a Local Government Mayor”
“We are being intimidated because we are called a minority”
“The injustice tolerated today will haunt future generations”
Speaking to journalists, Obi Onyekaba alleged that the confusion stemmed from a letter issued by the President General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Hon. Jude Osumuoh, suggesting that Hon. Anazodo would complete both his current tenure and that of Nnewichi, amounting to four years.
According to the Obi, only the traditional ruler or the Anambra State Government has the authority to determine tenure duration, not any individual, group, or council chairman.
“When this issue started, we approached our Igwe, a peaceful and fair-minded leader, who assured us that Nnewichi’s turn to produce the next Mayor would not be taken away,” he said.
“The 1997 rotational agreement has been respected for 28 years—why change it now?
“By August 30, 2026, the Mayor’s tenure will end, and the position must rotate to Nnewichi, ”he added.
Engr. Sir Emmanuel Chukwueloka lamented what he described as the marginalization of Nnewichi and insisted that both the state law and the rotational agreement must be upheld.
“Whatever our Igwe decides, we will accept. We are here to hear directly from him,” he said.
Also speaking, Sir Fabian Obi, Chairman of the Nnewichi Board of Trustees, said justice must prevail, insisting that Nnewichi should be allowed to take its rightful turn.
One of the chairmanship aspirants from Nnewichi, Cornel Osigwe, said the community’s position was anchored on peace and adherence to existing agreements.
“The Mayor swore to a two-year mandate. That oath must be respected, ”Osigwe insisted.
Former President General of Abubor Progressive Union, Chief Emeka Alutu, supported the call, urging restraint and respect among the quarters of Nnewi.
“We respect Umudim and its people, but abusive statements against Nnewichi are unnecessary and provocative,” he noted.
In his response, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III firmly reaffirmed his position, explaining that both the state law and the 1997 rotational agreement remain binding.
“What is written in Nnewi cannot be changed. Rotation must stand. We must follow the two-year tenure stipulated by the government and the agreement reached by Nnewi in 1997,” the monarch declared.
