Residents of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State were thrown into crisis on Monday as elderly men, women and youths protested the alleged imposition of a new traditional ruler, insisting the process violated their customs and constitution.
The protesters stormed the Government House in Awka, carrying placards and chanting slogans to draw the attention of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to what they described as an unlawful and provocative selection of an Eze for the community.
Placards displayed by the aggrieved residents bore inscriptions such as “The Stool of the Ezediohamma Ndiowu Is Not for Sale,” “Respect Our Right to Choose,” and “Soludo Solution, Help Us in Our Eze Stool.”
Speaking to journalists, the spokesperson of the group and chairman of Ndiowu’s four traditional quarters, Chief Uchenna Iloh, called for an immediate halt to the process and the conduct of a free, fair and credible Ezeship election in line with the community’s laws.
Iloh stated that the 2024 amended constitution of Ndiowu community clearly stipulates that only candidates from Ufere village are eligible to contest for the Ezediohamma stool, noting that the document had been duly approved by the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Town Union Affairs.
According to him, the only constitutionally recognised contenders for the stool are Chief Nwankwo Godwin Ugochukwu, Dr Onyeka Kanu, Mazi Onyeka Ekwueme and Obumneme Okeke, all from Ufere quarter.
He said the community had unanimously rejected the emergence of Mr Chibuzor Okekeife, a United States–based businessman from Umudiabor kindred, describing his selection as a clear violation of the zoning arrangement enshrined in the constitution.
“The people vehemently reject this development. The candidacy of Mr Okekeife runs contrary to the constitutional provision governing the Eze stool,” Iloh said.
The community leader accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Collins Nwabunwanne, of allegedly undermining the will of the people by excluding women from voting and introducing a secret ballot system, which he said contradicted the Option A4 open voting method provided for in the community’s constitution.
He further alleged that the commissioner, in collaboration with the Orumba North Local Government Chairman, Mr Casmir Nwafor, deployed armed security personnel to force through the selection of the disputed monarch, despite the community’s resolution to conduct the election during the Easter festival when most indigenes would be present.
“We are protesting injustice and discrimination against women, who have always taken part in the voting process. We demand respect for our constitution and a return to Option A4 voting,” Iloh said.
He appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order and ensure an election process that reflects Ndiowu’s traditions and collective will.
Responding to the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solomon Chukwulobelu, assured them that the state government would work towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
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“All we want is a peaceful process that allows the right candidate to emerge,” Chukwulobelu said, urging the community to remain calm and law-abiding.
He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved amicably, adding that the Soludo administration remained committed to peace, justice and stability in Ndiowu community.
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