The women in the ancient city of Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, are protesting the alleged sacking of the community’s Women President General, Mrs Favour Nworah, by the state government.
Nworah has been the President General of Ebenebe Town Union, Women Wing, since April 2019. She was allegedly sacked by the state governor, Chukwuma Soludo, in April 2023 after the general elections.
She was sacked as the Women President General of the town on the allegation that she appeared several times at Labour Party rallies and also wore their vest as well as supported their candidates.
Nworah, while speaking to journalists, admitted to have supported candidates of the Labour Party, for the House of Assembly position.
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.”
The sack sparked off protest in the community as women took to the streets, calling for her reinstatement.
A community member, Mrs Florence Nnatu, who led the protesters, accused some leaders of the community of having a hand in the crisis that has caused division among 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.”
It was gathered that a new women’s leader, Mrs Josephine Okafor, has been appointed to replace Nworah by the Anambra State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ify Obinabo.
However, when contacted for a reaction over the telephone, Obinabo declined to comment on the matter.
Also, Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Soludo, said when contacted that he would not respond on the matter later.