On Tuesday, August 5, 2024, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Chief TonyCollins Nwabunwanne hosted representatives from Nri, the ancient spiritual headquarters of Igboland at the Government House, Agu Awka.
This time, the stakes were particularly high – resolving the complex traditional rulership disputes that tend to fracture one of Igboland’s most revered communities.
As Chief Nwabunwanne sat with Nri stakeholders at the seat of Anambra State power, listening intently to their grievances and suggestions, he was doing more than mediating another conflict. He was embodying the very essence of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s “Solution Agenda” – the governing philosophy that has transformed Anambra State’s approach to governance since 2022.
This governing philosophy represents more than political rhetoric; it’s a comprehensive framework for problem-solving that prioritizes practical outcomes over political theatrics. The agenda, which has been described by officials as focused on “shaping a better tomorrow not only for ourselves but also for the generations unborn,” finds its most tangible expression in Commissioner Nwabunwanne’s methodical approach to community conflict resolution. Since joining Soludo’s cabinet, Nwabunwanne has transformed the traditionally ceremonial role of Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs into a dynamic conflict resolution mechanism. His approach mirrors the governor’s emphasis on transparency, performance, and long-term thinking over short-term political gains.
The Nri intervention represents just the latest chapter in Nwabunwanne’s growing reputation as Anambra’s chief peace architect. His portfolio of resolved conflicts reads like a comprehensive study in community dispute management, each case demonstrating the practical application of the Solution Agenda’s core principles. Consider the complexity of the Umuona Community Crisis in June 2023, where Nwabunwanne made one of his most controversial yet necessary decisions by announcing the dethronement of H.R.H. Igwe Humphrey Ejesieme of Umuona community in Aguata Local Government Area. The lingering communal crisis had reached a point where traditional mediation was no longer viable. Rather than allowing the situation to fester, the commissioner applied the Solution Agenda’s principle of decisive action, removing an obstacle to community peace while establishing clear precedents for traditional ruler accountability.
Yet Nwabunwanne’s approach is far from uniformly punitive. In April 2024, facing the bitter Ihiala Community kingship tussle, he demonstrated the patient, consultative approach that has become his trademark. Rather than imposing a solution, he invited leaders and elders from competing factions to a fact-finding meeting. This wasn’t merely about choosing sides but about understanding the root causes of the conflict. The process exemplified the Solution Agenda’s emphasis on inclusive dialogue and evidence-based decision-making, showing how the same philosophical framework can yield different tactical approaches depending on the specific circumstances.
Perhaps most significantly, Nwabunwane recently facilitated the end of a five-year leadership vacuum in Ogbunike community. Working within the framework of the Igwe Ogbunike Constitution of 1978, he secured agreement for new elections, demonstrating how the Solution Agenda respects traditional structures while ensuring they function effectively. The approval for elections at Ogbunike hall represents not just conflict resolution but institutional strengthening – a hallmark of sustainable governance that looks beyond immediate crisis management to long-term community health.
This institutional focus became even more apparent in January 2024 with the commissioner’s suspension of the Traditional Ruler of Neni Kingdom in Anaocha Local Government Area. The action showcased his willingness to take difficult decisions when traditional leaders fail to uphold their responsibilities, reflecting the Solution Agenda’s commitment to accountability at all levels of governance. But even more telling was his proactive approach that same month, when he warned traditional rulers about unauthorized conferment of chieftaincy titles, threatening suspension for rulers who ignore due process. This preventive governance extends beyond reactive crisis management to institutional reform, anticipating problems rather than merely responding to them.
Such forward-thinking aligns perfectly with Governor Soludo’s vision of governance that builds foundations for future generations. The Solution Agenda’s emphasis on “laying the groundwork for a thriving and sustainable future for many generations to come” is evident in these institutional reforms that strengthen traditional structures rather than simply managing their conflicts. This long-term perspective sometimes demands personal sacrifice from those committed to its implementation.
During the 2023 Yuletide season, while others celebrated, Nwabunwanne chose to forgo festivities to focus on his official duties. This sacrifice, widely reported in local media, symbolized the Solution Agenda’s demand for public servants who prioritize collective welfare over personal comfort. Such dedication reflects Governor Soludo’s own leadership style – a focus on substance over symbolism, on results over rhetoric. The governor’s recent strategic retreat for executive council members, themed “Changing Gear, Accelerating the Execution of the Solution Agenda in 2025,” underscores this commitment to continuous improvement and results-oriented governance.
The methodology underlying Commissioner Nwabunwanne’s success follows a consistent pattern that reflects the Solution Agenda’s core principles. Rather than imposing solutions from above, he consistently brings all stakeholders to the table. The Nri meeting at Government House Agu Awka exemplified this approach, with the commissioner listening to “details provided by the people and suggestions they made” before offering his own recommendations. This inclusive consultation ensures that solutions have genuine grassroots support rather than merely administrative compliance.
Equally important is his commitment to evidence-based decision making. Every intervention is grounded in careful fact-finding, whether investigating kingship tussles or traditional ruler conduct. Nwabunwanne ensures decisions are based on verifiable information rather than political convenience, building credibility that transcends immediate partisan considerations. This approach operates within a framework of respect for traditional structures, working within existing traditional frameworks wherever possible while reforming them when necessary. The Ogbunike elections, conducted according to the 1978 constitution, demonstrate this delicate balance between reform and respect for tradition.
All of these tactical elements serve a strategic long-term perspective. Solutions are designed not just to end immediate conflicts but to prevent future recurrence. The institutional reforms and clear precedents established through his interventions serve this long-term vision, creating sustainable peace rather than temporary truces. This comprehensive approach must be understood within the broader context of the Soludo administration’s governance revolution, which represents a departure from traditional Nigerian political culture where conflicts often fester for decades while leaders engage in performative gestures rather than substantive problem-solving.
Governor Soludo’s emphasis on “transparency and performance” over “political theatrics” has created an environment where commissioners like Nwabunwanne can focus on actual problem-solving rather than political positioning. This has been evident in the commissioner’s willingness to make unpopular but necessary decisions, from dethroning traditional rulers to enforcing procedural requirements. The consistent application of these principles has transformed community relationships with the state government itself.
Where once communities approached the commissioner’s office as supplicants seeking favor, they now engage as stakeholders in a genuine conflict resolution process. The Nri consultation at Government House, where community members provided detailed information and suggestions, represents this evolution toward collaborative problem-solving. Communities have learned to trust a process that prioritizes sustainable solutions over quick fixes, even when those solutions require patience and compromise.
The ongoing Nri traditional rulership issue represents a significant test case for this evolved approach. Nri holds special significance in Igbo traditional culture as the spiritual center of Igboland, meaning any resolution must respect this unique status while establishing principles applicable to other communities. While the matter has not been fully resolved, the decisions collectively taken by the Nri representatives and the Commissioner during their Government House meeting were far-reaching, designed to ensure a peaceful resolution soonest. The commissioner’s offer of “suggestions on the way forward subject to the People’s acceptance that will lead to a lasting peaceful resolution” demonstrates the Solution Agenda’s commitment to sustainable solutions. By making his recommendations conditional on community acceptance, Nwabunwanne is ensuring that any resolution has genuine grassroots support rather than imposed compliance.
This careful balance between authority and consultation reflects a sophisticated understanding of how lasting change occurs in traditional societies. The commissioner recognizes that his formal powers are most effective when deployed in service of solutions that communities themselves can embrace and sustain. This insight extends beyond Anambra State, offering lessons for community conflict resolution across Nigeria and beyond.
As Governor Soludo’s administration continues to implement its Solution Agenda, Commissioner Nwabunwanne’s work in community conflict resolution stands as a powerful example of what governance can achieve when guided by clear principles and sustained commitment. His transformation of a traditionally ceremonial role into a dynamic force for peace demonstrates how the Solution Agenda translates from policy document to lived reality. In a country where community conflicts often escalate into violence due to neglect or mismanagement, Nwabunwanne’s systematic, patient, and principled approach provides a template for conflict prevention and resolution.
The commissioner’s work embodies Governor Soludo’s fundamental insight that solution is not a destination but a process. Each community conflict resolved, each traditional institution strengthened, each precedent established contributes to the larger project of building a society where problems are addressed systematically rather than allowed to fester. As he continues his work with the Nri community and countless others across Anambra State, Commissioner Nwabunwanne remains guided by the Solution Agenda’s core promise: that good governance is not about avoiding difficult decisions but about making them thoughtfully, transparently, and with genuine commitment to the common good.
In a political landscape often characterized by grand gestures and empty promises, the commissioner’s quiet, consistent work stands as proof that solutions do indeed exist – they simply require leaders willing to do the hard work of finding and implementing them. Under Governor Soludo’s Solution Agenda, that work continues, providing solutions.
