The crisis of confidence rocking the umbrella body of non-indigenes in Anambra State is yet to abate, especially among the two war lords.
This came despite the intervention of the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 13, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Council, Godwin Ndidi Aghaulor, urging the chieftains to settle their scores and avoid threat to law and order in the state.
The Guardian learnt that the two key figures: President-General of Anambra State Non-Indigenes Association (ANIAS), Chief Chigozie Nweke; and the traditional leader of Non-indigenes of Anambra State under the aegis of (ANIAS), Igwe Amos Nkwuda, have continued to question each other’s authority.
It was learnt that the AIG’s intervention followed a petition by Nkwuda through his lawyer, Innocent Maikabo, dated June 4, and addressed to the AIG Zone 13.
It was entitled: ‘Petition against Chief Henry Chigozie Nweke for conspiracy, cheating by impersonation, parading himself as the President General of ANIAS, usurpation of power by unconstitutional means and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.’
It was noted that the petitioner’s coronation by the parent body (ANIAS) and presentation with a certificate of honour to birth the Igwe-in-council in 2017 as law required was witnessed by many traditional rulers and/or representatives from 35 states of the federation and elders of the association.
The petitioner claimed that Nweke was after his Igweship stool and might leave nothing to chance to achieve his purpose, calling for urgent intervention by relevant authorities.
Nkwuda, who joined ANIAS in 2016, complained that Nweke is an imposter having not been elected democratically to lead the association after the expiration of his three months’ caretaker-ship accounted for his opposition to certify.
But Nweke, who spoke to newsmen, denied the allegations, claiming he had the instrument of power endorsed by government officials.
The traditional leader, in an interview with reporters in Awka, described Nweke as an impostor.
According to him, when some years back, one Ferguson over-stayed in office as President-General of ANIAS, it was the association’s stakeholders that purportedly forced him out and appointed Nweke to take over power for three months in 2019. Within this period, he was mandated to set machinery in motion for the conduct of a democratic election.
Nkwuda claimed that Nweke failed to prepare grounds for the conduct of the said election but went ahead to unilaterally perpetuate himself in office as the President of ANIAS for the last five years.
He argued that the Igwe’s cabinet, which enjoys superior status and oversight function over the Town Union was not aware of any election that extended Nweke’s tenure.
