Crisis Rocks Ndiowu as Anambra Govt “Imposes” Caretaker Committee

By Our Correspondent

Ndiowu community in Orumba North local government area of Anambra State has rejected Caretaker Executive Committee set up by the state government to administer the affairs of Ndiowu Town Union (NTU).

In October, 2026, the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Town Union Matters dissolved the executive committee of Ndiowu Town Union led by Sunday Enemuo, and subsequently set up a Caretaker Committee, installing one Jonathan Okoli (Joe Japan) as its chairman.

The Ministry, in the letter, said that the dissolution was based on a court judgement obtained by some individuals in 2016 against alleged setting aside of 1990 Constitution of Ndiowu Town Union.

Speaking during a peaceful protest march organized by the community at the weekend, Mazi Uchenna Iloh, who is the chairman of Ndiowu four traditional quarters, a former chairman of Umudiabo village in Ndiowu, and a member of eze’s Cabinet Ndiowu, insisted that Anambra government erred by removing a democratically elected town union leaders, whose tenure shall be ending in December, 2028, and setting up caretaker in their place.

Iloh recalled that some years ago, a caretaker committee led by one Abednego Okoli, was set up by Anambra State government for the community. According to him, Abednego Okoli’s caretaker committee set aside the 1990 Constitution of the community, leading to a protracted legal battle that was resolved with a judgement issued in 2016, which ruled that the caretaker committee had no right to set aside the 1990 Constitution of Ndiowu.

“Sadly, after the judgement, the Caretaker Committee, which the judgement was meant to remove, remained in office for over 6 years,” he said.

“When they left office, one Hon. Emeka Aforka, who hails from this community, came up with another list which he submitted to the state government, and another caretaker committee, headed by one Nnaemeka Nwajagu, was installed, despite the court judgement.

“The community protested, and the caretaker committee was removed, paving the way for election of town union executive led by Egnr Chike Emenike, in December, 2021.

“Ndiow was happy that democracy returned after eight years of tortures caretaker leadership. It was under the caretaker committee that Ndiowu got N40 million in two tranches from the state government under Governor Willie Obiano. The caretaker squandered the N40 million meant for development in Ndiowu. But after the 2021 town union election, which brought Egnr. Chike Emenike as President General, peace and development returned and remained in Ndiowu.

“In one of our town union meetings, one Joshua Nwafor moved a motion for amendment of the 1990 Constitution of Ndiowu. It was supported and adopted. One of the critical areas amended was changing tenure of executive from two years to four years. It was based on the amended constitution that Anambra government conducted the town union election that ushered in Sunday Enemuo and his executive into office.

“Surprisingly, after one year and eight months into Sunday Enemuo’s four-year tenure, we received this sad report that our democratically election town union executive, whose tenure suppose to elapse in 2028, has been dissolved by Anambra government, and a caretaker committee installed.

“They claim that the executive was dissolved based on the 2016 judgement, which, as far as I’m concerned, has since been overtaken by events. The judgement was obtained against a caretaker committee, not elected executive. But despite the judgement, the caretaker remained in office for 6 years. Another caretaker committee led by one Nnaemeka Nwajagu came and retained office for 2 years, and government did not remove them based on the 1990 judgement.

“Again, after Nnaemeka Nwajagu’s caretaker committee reigned for two years, an election was conducted and one Engr Chike Emenike and his executive came on board and completed their two year tenure without being removed.

“Now, they’re removing Sunday Enemuo and his executive based on the 2016 judgement. Is it not the same ministry that gave the PG certificate to run the affairs of the town union for four years?” He queried.

Iloh said that the peace and progress already set in motion by the ousted PG and his executive have been thwarted, opening the way for retrogression and crisis.

He further regretted that in selecting the current caretaker committee, the people that conceived it neglected the community’s age long practice whereby every village in the town is allowed to submit list of persons that will represent them in the committee.

He claimed that the major inspiration behind the formation of the caretaker committee is to give those that conceived it free access to the money which Governor Charles Soludo plans to give the community as compensation for community land taken by government for construction of Ndiowu Mega City.

“We heard that starting from February, 2027, Soludo will start payment of compensation to communities and villages whose lands were taken by government for certain purposes. So, the money is what the individuals pushing for the caretaker committee are eyeing. They know they cannot achieve this objective under elected town union, so, they pushed for caretaker committee, so that they squander the money as they squandered the N40 million given to Ndiowu under Governor Willie Obiano,” he explained.