Okonkwo Samuel
Stakeholders and traditional authorities in Nnewi have reaffirmed their commitment to the long-standing rotational leadership agreement among the four quarters of the town, insisting that each quarter must complete a four-year tenure in all elective political positions.
This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a critical stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Board of Trustees of Nzukora Nnewi (BOTNON) at the palace of the Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. K.O.N. Orizu III (CON), on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The meeting was called following what the Board described as “slanderous accusations, counter-accusations and unsavoury words” surrounding the issue of rotation and trusteeship in Nnewi, which, according to the communiqué, had the potential to disrupt the unity and peace the community has enjoyed over the years.
In attendance were critical stakeholders drawn from the four quarters of Nnewi Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi as well as the Igwe of Nnewi, the Obi of Uruagu, the Obi of Umudim, the Obi of Nnewichi, leaders of Nzukora Nnewi and the four quarters’ President-Generals.
After deliberations held between 1:00pm and 5:10pm, the stakeholders unanimously resolved that the peace and unity of Nnewi are sacrosanct and must not be sacrificed. They further affirmed that the rotational agreement governing leadership positions in the community is clear and unambiguous, providing that each quarter is entitled to a four-year tenure in all political elective offices.
The communiqué specifically resolved that Umudim Community must be allowed to complete its four-year tenure, stressing that it would be unfair and unjust for Umudim to serve only two years when the immediate past local government chairman served a full four-year term.
It was also resolved that Nnewichi Community is next in line to assume the chairmanship of Nnewi North Local Government after Umudim completes its tenure and that Nnewichi will equally serve a full four-year term. According to the agreement, leadership will thereafter rotate to Uruagu and then Otolo, each for four years, in line with the rotational arrangement established in 1997.
The stakeholders further resolved that no community should be short-changed, marginalised or treated unfairly in the rotational process, emphasising that all decisions reached were made in good faith and must be respected in the interest of sustained peace and progress in Nnewi.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the Chairman of BOT Nzukora Nnewi, Sir Dennis C. Ofordeme, and the Secretary, Engr. Sir Chidi Anuligo.
