Residents of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to halt the planned Igweship election, alleging that the process violates the community’s constitution and risks triggering unrest.
The appeal followed a peaceful protest on Sunday by thousands of indigenes, including women, youths and elders, at the community’s Civic Centre, ahead of the election scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. Protesters opposed the use of a secret ballot system and the alleged exclusion of women from the electoral process, insisting both practices contradict Ndiowu’s constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the community, former President General of the Ndiowu Development Union, Chief Chike Emenike, accused the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters of imposing the election date against the community’s wishes. He warned that proceeding with the poll could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
Emenike urged Governor Soludo to intervene by directing the ministry and Orumba North Local Government Authority to postpone the election to Easter, a period he said was unanimously agreed upon by the community to allow wider participation of Ndiowu indigenes living outside the state.
He stressed that Ndiowu, which has been without a traditional ruler for 11 years, would resist any attempt to impose a monarch contrary to its customs and constitution.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
