No fewer than 250 stakeholders on Sunday convened at the residence of Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, President of Gabros Group, in Uru, Umudim, Nnewi North Local Government Area, to deliberate on the future of the industrial town of Nnewi.
The meeting was prompted by concerns over the conduct of the primary election for the forthcoming Nnewi North mayoral nomination, which participants described as flawed.
Under Nnewi’s established rotational arrangement, it is the turn of the Nnewichi community to produce the next mayor.
However, stakeholders alleged that certain individuals, leveraging close ties with Governor Charles Soludo, attempted to override the zoning principle in favour of Echezona Anazodo from Umudim.
Speakers at the gathering commended Chief Chukwuma for convening the meeting and initiating efforts to address the situation.
They also criticized what they described as the disregard for the position of the town’s traditional ruler, HRH Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, who had earlier written to the governor emphasizing adherence to the zoning arrangement.
Participants, drawn from the four quarters of Nnewi, maintained that those causing unrest in the community represent only a small fraction of the population.
In his remarks, Chief Chukwuma stated that the purpose of the meeting was not merely to highlight problems but to seek lasting solutions.
He stressed the need for unity among Nnewi indigenes to safeguard the peace, progress, and stability the town has long enjoyed.
Chukwuma further clarified that the movement is not targeted at any individual but is focused on addressing alleged irregularities and restoring Nnewi to a path of fairness, order, and sustainable development.
