Alleged Corruption, Illegal Recognition Threaten Peace in Amichi- Concerned Citizens of Amichi

By Our Correspondent

Peace and unity in Amichi Community, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, are being threatened following allegations of administrative interference and illegal recognition of a factional group by the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

The Concerned Citizens of Amichi have accused the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Vincent Ezeaka, of allegedly receiving substantial sums of money to destabilise the community.

The citizens alleged that the Commissioner imported and imposed a Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary, allegedly bypassing the leadership duly selected by the General Assembly of the Amichi Development Union (ADU).

They said the development had raised concerns among residents over the possible consequences for peace and unity in the community.

Amichi Town comprises four constituent quarters of Okpala, EzeUdene, Afube and Ebenasa.

According to the concerned citizens, Okpala Quarter is currently divided into three splinter groups: Ebenator Okpala Development Union, Okpala Descendants Union and Amichi Community Association.

They, however, said the remaining three quarters of EzeUdene, Afube and Ebenasa remain united under the Amichi Development Union, alongside a significant portion of Okpala Quarter.

The citizens described the Amichi Development Union as the sole apex governance body representing Amichi Town and one officially recognised by the Anambra State Government.

They said the ADU had historically overseen the selection of all past Presidents-General of Amichi, including the immediate past leader, Mr. Cletus Udebuani, as well as the selection of the traditional ruler, Igwe Oforbuike Ezeoke.

The group further pointed to the composition of the ADU Board of Registered Trustees as evidence of its broad representation of the entire town.

The Trustees representing Okpala Quarter are Mr. Cletus Udebuani, immediate past President-General, and Chief Dr. Eric Umeofia (NPOM, MFR), Ikukuoma Amichi.

EzeUdene Quarter is represented by Chief Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu (CON), Chisco Motors, Okeiyi Amichi, and Chief Emmanuel Ezike.

Representing Afube Quarter are Elder Adolphus Onuabuchi, Akunwafo Amichi, and Chief Christian Nzewi, while Chief Emmanuel Okoli, Oba Amichi, and Chief Engr. Sylvester Umeaku, Uru Amichi, represent Ebenasa Quarter.

The Concerned Citizens contrasted the structure of the ADU with what they described as a self-styled group of “Stakeholders”, comprising Akai Egwuonwu, Chief Emmanuel Umeohia, Nze Oscar Egwuonwu, Igwe Oforbuike and Mrs. Chiagozie Ezike Umoren.

They alleged that the group represents only a faction within Okpala Quarter and registered the Amichi Community Association, whose Trustees, according to them, belong exclusively to Okpala.

The citizens also noted that Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo Amichi) had denied giving consent for his name to be included in the list.

Against this background, the Concerned Citizens questioned the basis upon which the Ministry could accord official recognition to what they described as a factional group representing barely 10 per cent of Amichi Town.

They argued that although Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees citizens the freedom to form associations, a private association could not, by that right alone, assume civic authority or official representation of an entire community.

According to them, official community representation requires the backing of the general constituency and the recognised apex town union.

The citizens further argued that community governance in Anambra State operates on the principle of single apex representation, whereby the state government recognises one apex town union for a community to ensure administrative accountability and prevent communal conflict.

They warned that recognition of parallel or unauthorised administrative structures could create friction, deepen divisions and undermine traditional governance.

They also referred to Supreme Court rulings concerning autonomous entities, arguing that the proliferation of splinter groups could violate the spirit of the 1999 Constitution, which recognises statutory Local Government structures, including the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State.

The Concerned Citizens therefore called on the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs to uphold established statutory and administrative principles, cease the recognition of splinter factions and align its actions with the rule of law.

They urged the state government to ensure that its intervention in the affairs of Amichi promotes unity, peace and fair representation rather than further division within the community.

They said that the Igwe Oforbuike’s alignment with the Amichi Community Association (ACA), a splinter faction and purported stakeholders claiming to represent Amichi, fundamentally undermines his standing as the traditional ruler of Amichi community.

“Consequently, the Amichi Development Union (ADU) will formally petition Commissioner Ezeaka for the official withdrawal of his Certificate of Recognition, “the group added.

They insisted that the Ministry for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs must uphold established statutory principles, cease the recognition of splinter factions, and align its actions with the rule of law.