Protest as Soludo dismisses women’s community leader for backing her husband in election

Women in the historic city of Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, are reportedly protesting the state’s purported firing of Mrs. Favour Nworah, the community’s women president general.

Since April 2019, Nworah has served as the Women’s Wing President General of Ebenebe Town Union. In April 2023, following the general elections, the state governor Chukwuma Soludo allegedly fired her.

She was removed from her position as the Women President General of the town due to allegations that she frequently attended Labour Party rallies, backed their candidates, and wore their vests.

Nworah said during a press conference that she had backed Labour Party candidates for seats in the House of Assembly.

Explaining her reason for supporting the party, she said, “I supported LP, and the House of Assembly candidate because he is my husband and always by my side. The All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate during the election, never called me even once, talk less of consulting me as his woman PG, even though I am from the same ward as him.

“I remain an APGA member, and I worked for APGA and Soludo during the 2021 governorship elections. I couldn’t sleep because I know what I did for APGA and Soludo. I used my money, my products, my strength and my time for my party, APGA, to make sure Soludo won. I visited all the wards in Awka North to make sure women’s votes count.”

Women in the neighborhood flocked to the streets to protest the sack and demand her reinstatement.

Mrs. Florence Nnatu, a community member who led the protests, accused some community leaders of being complicit in the problem that has split the women.

Nnatu said, “We are calling on our community leaders, our husbands, who have a hand in this crisis that is dividing their wives to remove their hands from it.”

According to information obtained, Mrs. Josephine Okafor, a new women’s leader, has been chosen by Mrs. Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs, to take Nworah’s place.

Obinabo, when asked for a response over the phone, chose not to address the issue.

Additionally, when reached, Soludo’s press secretary, Christian Aburime, stated he would not comment further on the topic.