Residents of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday protested at the Government House, Awka, over the alleged imposition of an Igwe-elect without due process.

The protesters, who converged on the state seat of power, popularly known as the “Light House”, accused relevant authorities of sidestepping the community’s constitution and long-established rotational system of kingship.

Addressing Governor Chukwuma Soludo through his representative, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the protesters’ spokesman, Mazi Uchenna Iloh, said Ndiowu had for generations practised a rotational Igweship among its four traditional quarters—Udoada, Ufere, Okoro and Uche—based on seniority.

He said following the assumption of the throne by the most senior quarter in 2015, Ufere quarter was next in line to produce the monarch.

Iloh alleged that the recognised Igwe-elect, Chief Okeke-Ifi, was not from the appropriate quarter, contrary to the rotational arrangement.

He said a meeting held ahead of January 12, 2026, attended by over 200 community members, representatives of the commissioner and an aide to the local government council chairman, resolved unanimously to shift the election to Easter to allow for proper planning.

According to him, the agreement was ignored, with officials insisting on the January 12 date.

Iloh further alleged that provisions of the Ndiowu Traditional Rulers Constitution, which allow both men and women to vote in Igweship elections, were disregarded by the electoral committee supervised by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Affairs, Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne, and the Orumba North council chairman, Capt. Casmir Nwafor.

In a petition dated January 26, 2026, and addressed to the governor, the protesters insisted that the election must be conducted using the “Option A4” method as stipulated in the community’s gazetted constitution.

They warned that any election conducted under a perceived suspension of the constitution would be illegal and open to judicial challenge.

The petition was endorsed by several community leaders and officials, including the secretaries and chairmen of the various quarters, who reiterated that women are recognised stakeholders in the Igweship election process. (Guardian)

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