Nothing short of the immediate reversal of the tenure extension granted Edozie Obasi, President General of Ndikelionwu Welfare Association (NWA), will satisfy the community currently protesting the gesture extended by the government of Anambra State.

Community leaders who trooped to Ajali, headquarters of Orumba North Local Government Area are accusing the embattled PG of deceiving Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State Governor into endorsing the extension, by providing him with false report of the situation in the town.

Contrary to the dummy he allegedly sold that those opposed to the governor were fomenting trouble in the community and were after him for the massive support he had been mustered in the last governorship election, the leaders insisted that the PG’s motive for his sit-tight agenda was actually to cover his track over multiple infractions, ranging from land-grabbing in the community to a plot to transmute into the traditional throne of the ancient kingdom.

Leaders, who led a delegation to the council headquarters in Ajalli, on Wednesday, took turns to brief Casmir Nwafor, its chairman on the details of the PG’s activities, including how he deliberately bungled the NWA elections, scheduled for December 27, last year, thus handing him an alibi to seek the extension.

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On the contrary, the community told the council boss, a retired captain of the Nigerian Army of their love for the governor, culminating in their donating a massive 98 per cent vote for him during the November 8 polls, making them the community with the highest votes in that regard in the council.

Those in the delegation, that also handed the council boss a letter to Soludo appealing for a reversal of the tenure extension, included Mazi Fortune Ike the Palace Secretary; Mazi Okechukwu Okereke former PG; Mazi Emeka Nwankwor; former NWA Assist Secretary, Robinson Obidigbo the community’s Youth Leader, and the Emmanuel Nwene who spoke on behalf of the village chiefs.

Hear him: “We’re here to acquaint the Mayor that we need elections between now and Easter. The tenure of the last one elapsed on 27^th of December 2025. So, we’re surprised when we heard of a one-year extension, which is not in our constitution.

“We are in support of the Solution Government. We’re not against any development. What we’re saying is that we’re against any tenure elongation, since we have capable men to take care of the affairs of Ndikelionwu people. That is why we are here to make it known to the Mayor that we are in support of the APGA government.”

Nwafor, who received the letter from the protesters thanked the community for their orderly conduct and promised to pass the message to the governor for immediate action, adding that based on the fresh information provided, he was sure justice would be done to all sides.

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Cheered in agreement by the crowd, gave further details about the botched election and the demands of the community, Obidigbo, said the people were ready for the election anytime it was called, but would not accept tenure elongation.

His words: “The former executive, they had finished their first and second tenures with the last one expiring on the 27^th of December. On the day of election, they gave us details of their stewardship and Ndikelionwu General Assembly dissolved them. Now, the electoral committee, which began their work, now read to us that it is only the financial members that were eligible to vote.

“After several questions and back and forth, they insisted that it was a constitutional matter and it must be followed strictly. Some of us, now agreed that if that was the case, let it be so. We now demanded for the list of financial members. But surprisingly, the same union could not provide the nominal role of the financial members of Ndikelionwu Welfare Association. That became the confusion.

“That bastardised our election. That was the betrayal of our election. If the town union wants to conduct an election and they say it is the financial list of nominal roll, our constitution, article 14.6, item E, has it that the Financial Secretary is responsible for the production, update of the nominal roll of the Ndikelionwu Welfare Association.

“How come they could not provide it on the day of the election? To so many of us, it was a calculated attempt to sabotage our election. Now, the same town union that has been dissolved, brought a letter to us that their tenure has been extended. Now, we begin to question, we don’t know how. But there was a story around obtaining that extension. The question the people of Ndikelionwu are now asking is what is that story.

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“Ndikelionwu people are supporters of Solution government. We’re supporters of Solution project in Ndikelionwu. We voted massively for Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, because we believe in him. The question then is who must have done this?

“That is why we’re here. Now what the people of Ndikelionwu are saying is that we want town union election. If you give it to us today, we’re ready for it, if you give it to us tomorrow, we’re ready for it, if you give it to us next tomorrow, we’re ready for it. We don’t want extension. It is illegal in all forms.

“Ndikelionwu people are peaceful people. Ndikelionwu people are ready anytime, any day to collaborate with Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. We provided our land for development, we’ll continue and we’re ready to provide more. This is why we have come.

“We know our Mayor is a man of justice. He is a youthful Mayor. Our Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo is a youthful governor, he cannot encourage such a thing. That is why we’ve come to tell our own side of the story. We don’t want tenure extension. We want immediate election. This is what we’re asking for.”

Ike, the palace Secretary, who expressed surprise at the turn of events, explained that the mission of the community was based on the record of Soludo’s government for justice and open-handedness, expressing confidence that such attributes would not change in the case of the community.

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“Nobody has given us any cogent reason for not having our election. What we heard is tenure elongation. We’re not happy about it. We demand election and not elongation. All these placards are showing our message. Soludo is our man.

“We’re enthralled about his wonderful record. But unfortunately, we’re hearing a different story when it got to our turn. There is light everywhere and the roads are being expanded and everything is happening good. Let this election be icing on the cake.”

Welcoming the delegation, the council boss, Nwafor, who thanked the community for the massive votes given to the governor, expressed his personal love for the people of the community, the reason he said he picked his deputy from the town.

“Ndike is so dear to the governor and to the local government. Being dear to the governor is not just by empty words. He has demonstrated it by bringing a massive project to your community. So, the governor has special love for Ndikelionwu community.

It is because of that love that he doesn’t want your community to be in crisis. Last year, we were informed in Awka and the local government that Ndikelionwu will have their elections. We sent a delegation to ensure there was no problem. But unfortunately, we heard there was no election. I wasn’t there.

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“But when I asked why, I was informed of the list of financial and non-financial members. Of course these things are usually well-stated. Before becoming Mayor, I was PG in Oko. We have the same way of doing it. When we say it is only financial members, it is usually well-stated.

“I don’t know how you conduct your own. It is only now that we’re getting further details. But the governor had reasoned in his own wisdom that instead of leaving your community without a leader, and because nobody came to explain this, he should give these people time to conduct a proper election, so that the project at hand in your community would not be jeopardised.

“We don’t intend to undermine your community. The step was taken in the interest of peace – to ensure that the project in your community is well guarded. But now, we’ve heard you people.

“I’m now going to forward your message to the governor today and not tomorrow. You did well by coming to me first. Some people would have proceeded to Awka first. I like the procedure you took and the peaceful nature of your protest. Everyone has a right to demonstrate. I must commend you that you came here peacefully.

“I particularly notice that your delegation is not made up of anyhow people. You have the timber and calibre of your community here. Fortunately, our governor is a listening governor. We’ll take your message to Awka.

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“We’re going to explain to him and see how he could help you to conduct an election, which is what you want. Our governor believes in democracy. He’s not an autocratic human being. So, I’ve heard what you people came for and we’re going to do the needful.”