A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and aspirant in the forthcoming Nnewi North Local Government Area election, Mr. Nnanna Osita Nzewi, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, announced his withdrawal from the council chairmanship race, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in Nnewi.
Nzewi made the announcement at a media press conference held at Dove Resort, Nnewi, where he addressed developments surrounding the Nnewi North Local Government Area election, the issue of rotational arrangements, and rising political tensions within the one community LGA, particularly in Nnewichi.
He said his decision to speak publicly was informed by his deep roots in Nnewi and Nnewichi, noting that peace, genuine brotherhood, and sincere engagement must always take precedence over personal political ambition whenever Nnewi is faced with sensitive choices, like the present one.
According to him, although public discourse has largely centred on rotation of the chairmanship position, the underlying issues are broader and involve attempts by vested interests to dominate political structures ahead of the local government election.
Nzewi identified four major tendencies shaping the current political atmosphere: long-standing APGA faithful, advocates of rotational arrangements across Umudim and Nnewichi, emerging political interest groups positioning themselves for advantage, and their sponsors. He warned that reducing the election discourse solely to zoning risks deepening divisions within Nnewi North.
The aspirant, who described himself as a long-time APGA loyalist, highlighted his years of service to the party at various levels, including roles under former Governor Willie Obiano, grassroots mobilisation assignments, involvement in national party structures, organisation of party primaries, and media-related responsibilities under the APGA-led administration of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
He maintained that APGA in Nnewi North must remain open and inclusive, cautioning against political opportunism and the infiltration of actors who, he said, were largely absent during previous electoral cycles but have now resurfaced amid rising political intents in the local government.
Nzewi traced the escalation of tensions to internal disagreements within the community and political structures, which he said were amplified on social media before the party released official guidelines for its local government primaries.
He noted that the subsequent release of APGA’s timetable and the clarification that incumbent council chairmen, including the Chairman of Nnewi North, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, were eligible to participate in the primaries, had helped resolve questions that previously fuelled uncertainty.
On internal political arrangements within Nnewichi, Nzewi cautioned against attempts at micro-zoning political offices, insisting that no such agreement currently exists. He stressed that any future understanding must be transparent, inclusive, and collectively endorsed by relevant stakeholders.
In a key announcement, Nzewi formally withdrew from the Nnewi North Local Government Area chairmanship contest under APGA, urging other aspirants from Nnewichi to consider similar steps in the interest of peace and allow Umudim complete its four-year tenure in line with existing equity understandings.
He also called for reconciliation measures, including the withdrawal of all court cases related to the election, public apologies where necessary, and the restoration of trust among community and political actors, noting that sustainable peace must guide all engagements.
Nzewi paid tribute to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, describing him as a significant political figure whose contributions to APGA and Nnewi’s political relevance should be remembered. He also acknowledged the role of Chief Cletus Ibeto and other prominent Nnewi leaders in sustaining the party’s influence in the area.
He concluded by aligning with the Greater Nnewi Movement’s endorsement of Hon. Echezona Anazodo to complete a four-year term as Chairman of Nnewi North, urging APGA members and residents to support ongoing development initiatives under the Soludo administration.
“Peace must come before ambition,” Nzewi said, expressing confidence that future political arrangements would be honoured through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to agreed principles.