By: Ijeoma Sandra, Nnewi.

The founder of Nnewi Digital Community, Cornel Osigwe has disclosed Nnewi Constitution, established by Nnewi Stakeholders and Nzuko-Ora Nnewi in 1997 had a signed understanding that any elective position in Nnewi, particularly President General of the Community, State House of Assembly, and Local Government should be zoned among the four quarters in Nnewi per tenure.

Osigwe, who is an aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) while speaking with Newsmen on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 in his office at Nnewichi, Nnewi noted that since 1997 the understanding has been implemented judiciously.

“The former House of Assembly Member from Uruagu Community, J.C Okeke under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted to re- contest but was reminded by the Nnewi Community and the Nzuko-Ora Nnewi of the agreement for maintaining peace and harmony in Nnewi.

“He resisted and was fined.He contested for the election but Nnewi voted for another that was why his political future was cancelled in Nnewi.Since then ,the understanding has been respected by all.

“There was an instance, the son of the Igwe, Hon. Chukwudi Orizu, who was a House Member and the Deputy Speaker.There was a thinking that if he comes back to the House, he would be the Speaker, he lobbied for the agreement to be amended to enable him re-contest, it was cancelled and was told not to re- contest.

“Same was applied to Amara Anazodo, the former House Representative Member, who wanted to re-contest with the thinking he would be the Speaker, the zoning agreement stopped him” he revealed.

Osigwe remarked that; “the price of peace is priceless.They chose peaceful coexistence in Nnewi, sacrificing their political ambitions.

Based on the zoning agreement in Nnewi for Local Government Chairman that was zoned to Umudim which produced the current Mayor, Osigwe said Mayor Echezona Anazodo’s tenure would be expiring this year according to Anambra State Local Government Administrative Law which termed the Local Government Chairmanship tenure for 2 years.

“Unless the law is amended, every zone will be going for 2 years, previously it was 3 years but it was amended to 2 years.So what it means is by the expiration of Hon. Echezona Anazodo’s tenure in September, somebody from Nnewichi should rightfully emerge as the next Mayor” Col. Osigwe stated.

He pointed out that when the current Mayor was sworn in , he knew he would stay for 2 years and was prepared for 2 years, stating that if he knew that the 2 years would not be enough, he would have called for amendment before he entered.

“You cannot amend a law, when you will be the beneficiary.Yes, there should be a call for amendment, there is no law that is static, but must be done in due process not for personal interest” he said.

Osigwe said what he stands as an Aspirant is to ensure a lasting security in Nnewi, to upgrade Nnewi from an imagined Urban community it has stayed for years into a proper metropolitan city, improve infrastructure and to upgrade their market to be of international standard because Nnewi remained one of the most populous cities in Nigeria.