A prominent political stakeholder in Ayamelum Local Government Area and one of the Voice of Ndi Ayamelum, Amb. Emmanuel Igwebuike Mgbechi (Evang), has warned Umu Ayamelum against any attempt to undermine the existing zoning agreement governing the rotation of the local government chairmanship position.
Speaking to Akelicious News correspondents, Amb. Mgbechi – an APGA stalwart and the current Chief Press Secretary to the Mayor of Ayamelum Local Government Council – stressed the need for stakeholders to respect and uphold the zoning agreement reached on August 10, 2024, at Desire Hotel, Awka. He explained that Ndi Ayamelum unanimously agreed that the chairmanship position of the local government would rotate among the three geopolitical zones of Ayamelum: South, Central, and North, with each zone entitled to a single tenure of two years.
Amb. Mgbechi cautioned that any move to alter or abandon the zoning arrangement for personal ambition or selfish gain could destabilize the political harmony currently enjoyed in Ayamelum. He emphasized that the zoning agreement was a collective and binding decision, not imposed by any individual, but reached through wide consultation and consensus.
He further called on Ayamelum leaders of thought to rise with one voice in defense of the agreement, noting that silence at this critical stage could be interpreted as a failure of leadership. In particular, he urged the Chairman of Ayamelum Leaders of Thought, Chief Sir.Tony Chinedu – whom he described as a respected and credible figure – to stand firm with the collective decision of Ndi Ayamelum and protect his integrity by resisting any attempt to compromise the zoning pact.
Amb. Mgbechi also appealed directly to the incumbent Chairman of Ayamelum Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Alphonsus Ofumelu, to respect the zoning agreement that, according to him, facilitated his emergence as the chairman. He warned that any action taken outside the zoning framework could trigger unnecessary political tension and crisis in the local government.
In addition, he called on the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ayamelum to remain resolute in upholding the zoning agreement, noting that it was formally endorsed and signed by representatives of the three zones, including Ndi Igwe, Presidents-General, and two designated representatives from each zone across Ayamelum.
He finally called on the solution working Governor of Anambra State His Excellency Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR to kindly caution individuals and groups working against the zoning agreement to retrace their steps in the overall interest of peace, unity, and sustainable grassroots democracy in Ayamelum.
Amb. Mgbechi concluded by reiterating that strict adherence to the zoning agreement remains the surest path to equity, stability, and lasting unity among the people of Ayamelum Local Government Area, urging all stakeholders to place collective interest above personal ambition.
