A respected elder in Nteje community, Dr. Emmanuel Okafor (Isimu Nsi Gi), has issued a scathing response to the suspended President General (PG) of Nteje, Dr. Nnamdi Ilodiuba, accusing him of gross misconduct, betrayal of public trust, and aligning with external forces to destabilize the town’s traditional institution.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Okafor claimed that Dr. Ilodiuba’s tenure caused irreparable damage to the unity, dignity, and governance of Nteje. He alleged that the former PG dismantled the town’s constitution, converted the Nteje Development Union (NDU) account into a personal wallet, and turned respected community institutions like Ekeigwe Nteje into objects of ridicule.
“You owe Nteje an apology,” Okafor said, lamenting the decline in communal unity and the breakdown of democratic structures under Ilodiuba’s leadership. “You fractured our unity, not because of principle, but simply to empower your cronies and cling to power.”
Dr. Okafor further accused Ilodiuba of inviting outsiders into the town’s internal affairs, pointing specifically to the involvement of Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He criticized Ilodiuba’s alleged alliance with the commissioner to undermine the Igwe in Council, branding the traditional rulers “imposters” despite an ongoing legal process.
“No one, not even Tonycollins, can call our Igwe in Council imposters while I, an Onye Nteje, remain silent,” he declared.
The elder also raised pointed questions about a June 13 incident involving the reported abduction of High Chief Aunze and two others, as well as an attack on the acting PG, Chief Modika. He challenged Dr. Ilodiuba to address these incidents and questioned his silence.
“Why are you not concerned about your own track record?” he asked. “Is it because you believe Tonycollins will cover you? You should be ashamed of what you led Nteje into because of your private interest and pocket.”
In a passionate call for introspection, Dr. Okafor urged the former PG to reexamine his conscience and reflect on the consequences of his actions. He asked rhetorically when Ilodiuba’s ambition overtook the town’s peace, when he began to see Nteje as a private business, and why he allegedly resisted even a simple Christian crusade intended to unite the community.
“History will remember those who stood for unity, truth, and due process,” Okafor concluded. “It will also remember those who chose division, deceit, occultism, and desperation.”
The statement adds to the growing tension surrounding Nteje’s Igweship crisis, as the town continues to grapple with leadership disputes and competing narratives on legitimacy.