Ndiowu indigenes protests to Soludo, insists fraudulent process can’t produce genuine Igwe

The people of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested to the Light House, the seat of power of Anambra Stat, insisting that the process that led to the election of the traditional ruler of the community, is faulty.

The over 500 protesters who stormed the government house with placards rejected what they described as a fraudulent and unconstitutional selection of a traditional ruler.

The protesters vehemently opposed the alleged selection of a United States–based businessman, Mr. Chibuzor Okeke-Ifi, as the traditional ruler of Ndiowu, describing the process as imposed, illegal, and contrary to the Ndiowu Town Union Constitution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the demonstrators expressed their grievances. Some of the messages read: “The stool of Ezediohamma Ndiowu is not for sale,” “Respect our right to choose,” “No to imposed election,” “Commissioner’s coup: respect our constitution,” “Women must vote, men must vote, youths must vote,” and “Soludo Solution, come and save our Eze stool.”

The protesters called on the governor to take urgent action to avert a breakdown of peace in the community, stressing that the purported selection lacks legitimacy and is unacceptable to Ndiowu people.

They demanded the conduct of a transparent, free, fair, and credible Ezeship election in line with the 2024 Ndiowu Constitution as amended and approved by the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Town Union Matters.

According to them, the constitution clearly stipulates that candidates for the Ezediohamma stool must come from Ufere village, which is constitutionally designated to produce the next monarch.

Speaking during the protest, the people drawn from the four villages constitutionally entitled to present candidates for the throne—insisted that they would not accept the emergence of Mr. Okeke-Ifi, who they said hails from Umudiabor village and therefore ineligible.

They accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Collins Nwabunwanne, of allegedly subverting the collective will of the community by excluding women,who constitute the majority of voters, from the process and by adopting a secret ballot system instead of the Option A4 method expressly provided for in the community’s constitution.

According to the protesters, the election conducted on January 12, 2026, fell short of traditional norms and constitutional provisions governing the selection of a traditional ruler in Ndiowu.

They further maintained that only four candidates, all from Ufere quarter, are constitutionally qualified to contest for the Ezediohamma stool following the demise of the late monarch.

The eligible candidates, they said, are Chief Nwankwo Godwin Ugochukwu, Dr. Onyeka Kanu, Mazi Onyeka Ekwueme, and Mr. Obumneme Okeke.

The spokesperson of the protesters, Chief Uchenna Iloh, said the alleged selection violated the unanimous decision of Ndiowu stakeholders that the Ezeship election should be held during the forthcoming Easter period, which traditionally serves as the next general meeting when most indigenes are present.

Responding to the protesters, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobe, assured them that the state government would prioritize peace and fairness in resolving the matter.

“All we want is a peaceful process that will allow the right candidate to emerge so that peace can reign in the community,” he said.

He added that the government would listen to all parties involved before taking an informed decision.

He noted that similar disputes had occurred in the past and were resolved through dialogue, stressing that the government would act in the best interest of Ndiowu community.