By Chukwudi Ebele
Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has protested government alleged plans to conduct Igweship election (Eze Ndiowu) against the constitution of the town on Monday, January 12, 2026.
The people also protested women exclusion from the election, use of secret ballot voting which contravened the constitution of the community.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, former President General of Ndiowu Development Union, Chief Chike Emenike urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene to avoid break down of law and order ahead of the planned election.
He called for extension of the date of the election said to be contested between Barr Ogochukwu Nwankwo, Mr Onyeka Nwafor, Onyeka Kanu, Mr Obuneme Okeke and Chief Chibuzor Okeke to convenient date.
He said, “The Monday, January 12, 2026 scheduled day for the election fixed by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters under the leadership of Tony Collins Nwabunwanne is not in order with the community constitution that is properly gazetted by the State government.
“There is likely to be crisis in the community if the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matters and Orumba North Council Authority refused to postpone the election day to 2026 Easter day celebration as unanimously agreed by the community.
“Our last traditional ruler died 11-years ago. It has never happened since the creation of Ndiowu community where Igweship elections is held outside the constitution of the town with secret ballot formula and the disfranchisement of women in electorate process.
“We don’t want someone who based in Abuja, Lagos, Calabar or Port Harcourt to be our traditional ruler. If the government goes ahead with the plan to conduct the Igweship election, that means they are imposing a Monarch against us and the gods of the land.
“We are peace loving people, we don’t want our community to be on fire. We want Governor Soludo to urgently intervene by calling those concerned to respect the wishes of Ndiowu people by shifting the election to 2026 Easter day celebration.
“The new day will enable the community to properly inform sons and daughters of the town residing outside the state about the agreed new date.”
Also speaking, Ndiowu women leader, Lady Ifeyinwa Okafor and her Youth counterpart, Comrade Onyeka Okeke threatened to boycott the process over government’s failure to cancel the election and postpone it to appropriate time suitable for the members.
Earlier on Saturday during a town hall meeting with the representatives from office of the Commissioner, the women, youths and aged protested over the must rule that the election will hold on monday, 12th as against the wishes and minds of the indigenes.
Those present at the Sunday briefing were, Umuada Ndiowu leader – Mrs Ndidi Okeke, NTU Women Wing, Mrs Oby Okoli, youth leader – Mazi Ugochukwu Imoh.
Also present were village heads, including Mazi Orji Sopulu-Obinagu village, Mr Obum Okoli- Enumgbom, Mazi Uchenna Okoli Iloh-Umudiabor village, Mazi Paul Owuh Uhueze village and Mazi Obiora Mgbemena-Ubaha village.
Others were Mazi Nwabuike Nwosu-Abormgbego village, Mazi Jonathan Okoli -Agbata village, Mazi Vincent Nwankwor-Igheakpu village, Barr Ugochukwu Nwankwor Aborughuana village, among others.
