Amichi Crisis: Concerned Citizens Fault Commissioner Over Tenure Letter, Seek Governor’s Intervention

By Our Correspondent

The lingering leadership crisis in the Amichi community has taken a fresh twist, as concerned citizens of the community have openly questioned the role of the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Town Union Affairs, Barrister Vincent Ezeaka, in the controversy surrounding the tenure of former President-General, Chief Cletus Udebuani.

Speaking on the development, the Acting Chairman of the Amichi Development Union (ADU) Board of Trustees, Chief Silvester Umeaku, disclosed that the Board met with the Commissioner on Friday, August 14, 2026, to address what stakeholders described as the widespread confusion generated by a letter issued to Udebuani, a document many in the community interpret as an attempt to extend his tenure beyond the constitutional four-year term.

According to Umeaku, the Commissioner admitted during the meeting that the letter was issued without a full examination of the facts and legal issues surrounding the dispute. He subsequently directed the Board to submit all relevant documents for proper review ahead of another meeting fixed for Tuesday, August 18.

However, the Concerned Citizens of Amichi strongly criticized the Commissioner’s request, describing it as ridiculous given that he is already represented by counsel in the ongoing legal matter and should already possess all relevant documentation.

The concerned group emphasized that official actions taken without adequate scrutiny have directly escalated tensions in Amichi. They noted that community members feel deeply aggrieved by the Commissioner’s letter, which effectively attempts to extend an expired tenure in direct contradiction to the ADU constitution.

The group insisted that by failing to act within the framework of the community’s constitution, that the commissioner has disregarded Anambra State law, which explicitly requires government intervention to align with local constitutional provisions.

While the Commissioner expressed displeasure over media reports covering the crisis, the Concerned Citizens and the Board maintained that public reaction naturally stems from widespread dissatisfaction over the controversial letter.

It was gathered that the Board of Trustees has since briefed an expanded community heads, comprising presidents of the four quarters of Amichi, village chairmen, and trustees, where stakeholders expressed severe concern over administrative actions that have deepened rather than resolved the crisis.

The meeting mandated the Board to continue pursuing lawful means to resolve the dispute and vacate the order for a fresh election. It also directed former President-General Udebuani and his executive members to submit handover notes and authorized the recovery of all ADU property.

At the center of the dispute is a July 21, 2026 court order restraining parties from occupying or conducting an election into the office of President-General of the ADU. The Registered Trustees and concerned stakeholders insist Udebuani’s tenure expired on August 6, 2026, explaining that the ADU constitution contains no provision for a tenure extension or holdover arrangement.

Citing judicial precedents, including the landmark Supreme Court decision in Ladoja v. INEC, the group contended that a status quo order cannot create a fresh term after a constitutionally prescribed tenure expires.

They said it barred the plaintiffs and the 3rd defendant, Mr Udebuani from assuming or occupying the office of the President General, while prohibiting the Registered Trustees or any other party from conducting the election for the office.

Furthermore, they pointed out that the constitutional zoning arrangement requires the office of President-General to rotate from the Okpala Zone (which produced Udebuani) to the Ezeudene quarter, warning that any attempt to bypass this rule threatens the community’s established rotational system.

Meanwhile, Chief Simon N. Okeke, the Ochendo Amichi, forcefully denied reports that he endorsed an extension of Udebuani’s tenure. Chief Okeke clarified that he contacted the Commissioner to verify if he had received the court order.

According to him, the commissioner said he would raise a memo to the Governor after reviewing the document, the Commissioner acknowledged that a caretaker arrangement remained the only lawful option. Chief Okeke consequently dismissed claims linking him to any tenure extension as entirely false.

Chief Okeke said: “Oscar, whoever is the author of the above bundle of falsehood has a serious mental problem. It was me that foned the Commissioner to ask whether he has got copy of the order and he confirmed he had but that he hadn’t studied it. Later when I foned again he said he had and that there was no option than caretaker and that he would send a memo to the governor. Nothing more nothing less.

“Pse send my response to stakeholders.”

Ahead of the upcoming meeting with the Commissioner on Tuesday, August 18, the Concerned Citizens of Amichi have issued a direct appeal to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene and ensure all actions strictly align with the ADU constitution, subsisting court orders, and Anambra State laws.

“We vehemently appeal to Mr. Governor to caution his Commissioner to act accordingly and stop igniting fire in our community,” the group stated.

Observers note that the outcome of the next meeting will determine whether the administration restores order or further deepens the crisis in Amichi.