By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Over 500 natives of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, on Tuesday, staged a peaceful march in support of their Traditional Ruler-Elect, Chief Ben Chibuzor Okeke-Ifi.
Okeke-Ifi emerged as a traditional ruler-elect in an election held on January 12, 2025 to produce a replacement to His Royal Highness, Eze O.O. Udeh that passed on in 2015.
The protesters also countered allegations by a section of the community that election of Okeke-Ifi was marred with irregularities, noting that it was conducted with extant laws of the land under the supervision of the State government represented by the Commissioner for Town Union and Chieftaincy matters, Hon. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne and others.
Some protesters had on Monday protested to the Light House, Anambra State Government House, Awka, during which they presented some position papers, alleging that no election was held, and urged Chukwuma Soludo not to recognise Okeke-Ifi as their monarch until due new poll is held.
But the supporters of Igwe-Elect displayed placards of different inscriptions in support of Igwe Okeke-Ifi, some of which read "We have chosen our Eze," Soludo thank you for a free, fair and credible poll," "Mr Governor has given us Solution," PG and his cabals let Ndiowu breaths, "God bless our king," "We want Soludo Solution in Ndiowu."
Addressing the media, a representative of Ndiowu Elders Council, Chief Christian Nnabuihe, said they came to thank Governor Soludo for providing an enabling environment for a free, fair and credible election to hold.
Nnabuihe, who explained that the 1990 constitution was duly followed, dismissed allegation that another constitution was made by the community but not followed during the election, noting that their existing constitution barred women and other non-qualifying individuals from participating in Igweship election.
"Our 1990 constitution was followed. Those who came here yesterday to protest did not know what they did. They are now feeling ashamed of themselves. We will keep resisting any attempt to stop our peace loving community. We are solidly behind our Igwe-Elect, Okeke-Ifi," he noted.
Also speaking, Chief Chibuzor Okolie, who is Chairman of nine villages in Ndiowu, recalled how the opposition tried to scuttle their monarch electoral processes by fixing a date without issuance of proper notice but were countered.
On his part, the Youth leader of Ndiowu, Mr. Ugochukwu Imoh, represented by Mr. Sunday Kanu, and the Woman leader, Barrister Mrs Obiageli Okoli, urged the government to support their Igwe-Elect as they were ready to work with him for peace to reign for meaningful development to thrive.