Crisis looms in Anambra community, as PG accuses govt officials of undermining free choice

---

---

By Madu Obi

Fresh crisis is looming in Nawfia Community, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, following alleged refusal by the relevant government officials to issue certificate to Ozo Ifeanyichukwu Nkemka, the President General of the town elected by popular votes.

Despite the emergence of Nkemka as the President General of Nawfia Progressive Union, NPU, in an election in which all the villages in the area participated, a faction of the union, allegedly supported by a top government official, organized another one, thereby heightening tension in the community.

The state High Court sitting in Ogidi had in a judgement delivered on 30th January, 2024, paved the way for the election of Nkemka after ordering the dissolution of the existing caretaker committee.

Speaking on the issue at a press briefing in Nawfia, Nkemka said: "I went to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor officially as the PG and my reason for going to him was to notify government of our election and to seek for the certificate as required by law.

Unfortunately, he said he was waiting for the Attorney General of the state to advise him. I went to the Attorney General and she told me that because another party had filed an appeal against an earlier judgment on the matter, she would not advise the Governor or the Commissioner in charge of Chieftaincy Affairs to recognize me.

I made the Attorney General to understand that mere filing of an appeal does not mean stay of execution. I had to write her officially again and in the letter, I reminded her of authorities supporting our case which states that if a judgement is entered, the appellant must obey the original judgement."

He said that because of the development, his community is denied attendance to the meeting of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU.

Calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in the matter to save the community from impending breakdown of law and order, the PG said that following the illegal attempt to conduct another election on July 19, 2025, the community approached the court and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain the action, was obtained.

He said: " The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was served with the motion to restrain the election from holding. It is highly regrettable, disappointing and embarrassing that in spite of the lawful actions, a non existent and illegal body was purported to have conducted an election into the offices of NPU.

A parallel executive committee of NPU cannot be allowed to exist along with my own executive which was fully constituted with legal authority of a court of competent jurisdiction.

As law abiding citizens, we find it critical at this juncture to call on the governor's attention and members of the public to these acts of illegality, criminality and irresponsibility that have the potential to threaten the peace of Nawfia Community.

Our dear governor please kindly cause an investigation into the unseen hands of your aides who are causing this confusion and threatening our peace. Governance in Anambra State should be government of laws, not of men."