The Nimo community in Anambra State is grappling with a leadership crisis that could escalate into a larger conflict if not addressed promptly. The crisis has intensified following a recent incident at a funeral ceremony, where a faction loyal to a contested leadership refused to let the royal father speak. This nearly led to a physical altercation, signaling growing tensions in the community.
The Nimo Elders Forum, through its Public Relations Officer, Ogbuefi Frederick Awagu, has called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene. The community’s leadership dispute centers around the ongoing recognition of Mr. Dan Anakpe as the President General, despite a court ruling in December 2024 that nullified his election due to irregularities in the electoral process. The court also ordered the formation of a caretaker committee to oversee new elections.
Awagu emphasized that the continued recognition of Anakpe by the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, has exacerbated tensions and empowered his faction to act provocatively. The elders are urging the governor to ensure that Anakpe is no longer recognized until the issue is legally resolved, particularly since Anakpe’s appeal against the court ruling has not been accompanied by a vacation order.
The leadership crisis in Nimo highlights the fragility of community governance when there is division and disregard for judicial decisions. If Soludo steps in and resolves the issue, it could avert a larger-scale crisis that threatens the peace of the community. It remains to be seen whether state authorities will act decisively to ensure a fair resolution or if further tensions will arise.
How do you think the governor’s intervention will impact the community’s stability, and what steps should be taken to ensure a lasting solution?
