Idemili Political icon, Hon Ifeanyi Ibezi has warned the chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area chairman, Hon Stanley Nkwoka not to mistake his silence for cowardice.
Nkwoka had in a letter to Ibezi cancelled a proposed stakeholders meeting scheduled by the Idemili strong man, an occasion he wanted to use to declare his aspiration for House of Representatives for Idemili North and South Federal Constituency.
Nkwoka cited security as reason for the cancelation of the stakeholders meeting, insisting that he would arrest anyone who dared to attend the meeting.
But Ibezi in his own reply has insisted that the meeting will go on, stating that it was an indictment on government for an official to confess that an area where he governs is not safe.
Below is the full release..
RE: PURPORTED “COUNTER STATEMENT” AND THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PETTY POLITICS
My attention has been drawn to a document being circulated in the public space by the Mayor of Idemili North Local Government Area, Mr. Stanley Chigbo Nkwoka, styled as a “Counter Statement” and purportedly addressed to me. Ordinarily, such a publication should not merit a response. However, silence in the face of deliberate misinformation can sometimes be mistaken for weakness or acceptance. It has therefore become necessary to set the record straight and place facts above propaganda.
To begin with, the document bears a visibly cancelled and altered date, a defect that immediately raises serious questions about its authenticity, validity, and procedural integrity. Any communication so carelessly handled diminishes its own credibility. It is difficult to take seriously a letter that appears uncertain about the very day it was issued.
Even more curious is the title, “Counter Statement.” One is compelled to ask: counter to what? There exists no prior public statement from me requiring any rebuttal. The phrase is therefore misleading and appears designed purely for political drama rather than genuine engagement.
The contradiction does not end there. Though framed as a private letter to me, it was never formally delivered either physically or electronically. Instead, it found its way directly into the public domain. This naturally invites the conclusion that the real objective was never communication, but spectacle. If a letter meant for one person is first delivered to the public, then it is not correspondence, it is theatre.
It is disappointing that a public office created to serve all citizens has now been reduced to a partisan megaphone. The office of a local government mayor is not an extension of any campaign machinery, nor should it be converted into a platform for personal attacks. Governance is a sacred trust. Communities need roads repaired, drains cleared, markets improved, youth empowered, and security strengthened, not politically motivated letters drafted in haste and circulated in panic.
The tone and timing of this publication betray a deeper anxiety. When those entrusted with leadership abandon service delivery and become preoccupied with attacking perceived opponents, it often signals fear of the people’s changing mood. Those who are confident in their performance present scorecards. Those who are not manufacture distractions.
For the avoidance of doubt, every Nigerian citizen is guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the right to peaceful assembly and lawful association. Consultation with stakeholders, meetings with constituents, and engagement with the people remain fundamental pillars of democracy. No individual or office can lawfully criminalize legitimate civic participation.
The suggestion that any peaceful gathering of stakeholders in Idemili constitutes a security threat is not only baseless but deeply troubling. If indeed such a claim were true, it would amount to an indictment of the very authorities responsible for local peace and security. It is even more unfortunate that while His Excellency, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, is working tirelessly to strengthen security across Anambra State, a local government mayor appears intent on frightening citizens with partisan alarm and needless apprehension. Leadership should inspire confidence, not spread fear among peace-loving people.
Let it also be made clear that the venue chosen for the meeting is a neutral and appropriate location within the constituency, not a private residence. Invitations were privately extended to selected stakeholders, and comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, orderly, and hitch-free event. Relevant security agencies have been duly notified, necessary coordination has been established, and all logistical measures concluded to ensure the comfort and protection of attendees.
I therefore wish to personally assure every invited stakeholder, community leader, youth representative, woman leader, party faithful, and respected elder that there is no cause for apprehension. Your safety remains paramount. You are encouraged to attend confidently, knowing that all necessary steps have been taken to provide a secure environment before, during, and after the engagement.
This gathering is founded on dialogue, consultation, and the collective progress of Idemili. It is not an arena for conflict, but a platform for unity and constructive discussion. No citizen should be intimidated or discouraged from participating in lawful democratic engagement.
It is unfortunate that instead of uniting the people, the Mayor has chosen division; instead of building confidence, he has chosen alarmism; instead of governance, he has chosen grandstanding. Public office is temporary, but the judgment of the people is permanent.
The people of Idemili are wiser today. They know the difference between genuine leadership and rented outrage. They know who has consistently stood with them and who appears only when political interests are threatened. They know that popularity earned through service cannot be cancelled by letters typed in desperation.
I therefore advise Mr. Nkwoka and those encouraging this descent into needless hostility to redirect their energy toward the responsibilities for which taxpayers sustain their offices. Fix the roads. Clear the refuse. Improve markets. Support security agencies. Create opportunities for the youth. Leave intimidation, propaganda, and theatrical correspondence behind.
As for me, I remain calm, focused, and committed to constructive engagement, democratic values, and the continued progress of Idemili North and South Federal Constituency. No volume of bitterness can silence the voice of the people, and no misuse of office can stop the march of progress.
Those who fear the future often shout the loudest. But noise has never earned the respect of the people.
Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Anthony Ibezi Ph.D
