19/08/2026
REPORT OF THE MEETING AT IGWE ORIZU PALACE ON NNEWI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMANSHIP POSITION
A meeting was held yesterday, Saturday, 15th August 2026, at the Palace of Igwe Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, to discuss the ongoing disagreement over the rotation of the Mayoral position in Nnewi, following the refusal of the current Chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo from Umudim to allow someone from Nnewichi to take their turn based on Nnewi rotation arrangement.
POSITION OF OBI NNEWICHI, HIS HIGHNESS, OBI GEORGE ONYEKABA (OBIDIUGWU) -
His Highness, Obi George Onyekaba (Obidiugwu), presented the position that, based on the existing zoning arrangement and the 1997 agreement, the Chairmanship position should move to Nnewichi following the expiration of the tenure of Hon. Echezona Anazodo, from Umudim. He therefore suggested that APGA should consider producing its Mayoral Candidate from Nnewichi.
He also requested that Hon. Echezona Anazodo should have been in the meeting since the matter concerns the succession of his tenure. The Crown Prince, Obi Orizu, explained that Echezona Anazodo told him that he will be absent due to a scheduled meeting with the Governor in Awka. Chief Cletus Ibeto added that the meeting should go on despite the absence of Hon. Echezona Anazodo.
THOSE WHO SUPPORTED NNEWICHI BASED ON THE NNEWI ROTATION AGREEMENT -
1. Chief Emeka Chukwueloka (Okunaenyeife Nnewi) from Nnewichi supported that it was the turn of Nnewichi.
2. Chief Emeka Nzewi (Eziokwubundu Nnewi) from Uruagu referred to the 1997 agreement and said that he supports Nnewichi producing the next Mayor.
3. Chief Robert Anwatụ (Roban Stores) from Otolo supported Nnewichi and the interpretation of the 1997 agreement presented.
4. Chief Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson) from Umudim supported Nnewichi, stating that keeping the position in Umudim will be contrary to his understanding of the agreement.
5. Chief Gabriel Chukwuma (Gabros) - from Umudim referred to previous instances involving Prince Chukwudi Orizu and Hon. Amala Anazodo, on how they honoured Nnewi rotation agreement. He suggested that Hon. Echezona Anazodo should similarly step aside.
THOSE WHO SUPPORTED HON. ECHEZONA ANAZODO -
1. Chief Cletus Ibeto from Uruagu stated that Nnewichi should wait for another two years before taking the Mayoral position.
2. His Highness, Obi Afam Obi (Ogidi IV) of Uruagu Nnewi, supported the continuation of Hon. Echezona Anazodo and, appealed to Nnewichi to wait for another two years.
3. His Highness, Obi Benneth Okafor (Amaukwu) of Umudim Nnewi, stated that he supports the position that Umudim through Hon. Echezona Anazodo should continue.
OUTCOME OF THE MEETING -
The meeting ended without a final agreement. The moderator, Chief Ben Etiaba, announced that a Committee will be constituted to examine the issues raised and explore possible ways of resolving the disagreement.
FOLLOW-UP VISIT TO CHIEF CLETUS IBETO
After the Palace meeting, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Emeka Nzewi, Chief Robert Anwatụ and Chief Benneth Ngonadi visited Chief Cletus Ibeto at his residence to seek common ground. Chief Cletus Ibeto maintained his position that Umudim should retain the Mayoral position for another two years before Nnewichi takes its turn. No agreement was reached.
NB: This report was culled from the report of the meeting written by Prince Ugochukwu Ifeanyi (Agụiyi Anaedo).