The authorities of Idemili North Local Government Area and Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State have clashed over the renaming of Limca Road after the ex-Commonwealth secretary general, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

While addressing the people during a brief ceremony held at the popular Nkpor Junction end of the road to officially rename it, the Chairman, Idemili North LGA, Stanley Nkwoka, said the exercise serves as a reminder of Anyaoku’s selfless contributions to the community as well as to inspire the youths to strive for greatness.

It was reported that Idemili North LGA on Wednesday renamed the famous Limca Road after the former Commonwealth Secretary-General.

Nkwoka said with the renaming, the strategic Limca Road connecting Awka Old Road, Nkpor Junction, Onitsha-Awka-Enugu Expressway and Obosi-Umuoji Road, among others, will now be known as “Ichie Emeka Anyaoku Road.”

But reacting to the development in a public notice, the Onitsha North LGA faulted the “unilateral renaming” of Limca Road, describing it as “illegal and unconstitutional.”

In the official public notice dated March 20, 2026, the Chairman of Onitsha North LGA, Tony Nwora, accused his Idemili North LGA counterpart of overstepping “jurisdictional boundaries” by purportedly renaming the road as “Ichie Emeka Anyaoku Road.”

Nwora cited the 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly the Fourth Schedule, insisting that the control, administration, and regulation of roads within a local government area rest exclusively with that council.

He insisted further that at no time had Limca Road fallen under the administrative control of Idemili North LGA, warning that any attempt to impose a new name on it would be resisted through legal means.

The notice read, “No authority can validly exercise powers outside its territorial jurisdiction. Any such action is ultra vires and of no legal consequence whatsoever.

“The so-called renaming is void ab initio. Limca Road remains its lawful name until due process is followed by the competent authority.

“The council called on the general public, government agencies, security outfits, map publishers, and logistics operators to disregard the purported new name, emphasising that it has no legal backing.

“This notice serves as a formal caveat against any recognition or documentation of the unauthorised name. We will not hesitate to take all necessary legal steps to protect our territorial integrity.”

However, responding to the claims by the Onitsha North LGA in a press statement released on Saturday, the Chairman, Idemili North LGA, Stanley Nkwoka, said the council had taken note of the public notice issued by Onitsha North LGA concerning the renaming of Limca Road.

Nkwoka emphasised that the decision to rename the road was not only lawful, but also a recognition of an illustrious son whose international reputation, service, and numerous accolades had brought pride to Anambra State, Nigeria, and the global community.

He said, “While we acknowledge the concerns raised, it is necessary to clearly state, for the purposes of accuracy and public enlightenment, that the naming or renaming of roads, streets, avenues, and public infrastructure remains the constitutional prerogative of the Local Government Council within its territorial jurisdiction, as provided under the laws governing Local Government administration.

“Limca Road, as it stretches and is domiciled within Idemili North Local Government Area, falls squarely under the administrative authority of Idemili North LGA. Consequently, the decision to rename the road as ‘Ichie Emeka Anyaoku Road’, in honour of the globally respected elder statesman Emeka Anyaoku, is well within the lawful powers and discretion of Idemili North Local Government Area.

“It is important to emphasize that this decision is not only lawful but also a recognition of an illustrious son whose international reputation, service, and numerous accolades have brought pride to Anambra State, Nigeria, and the global community.”

He noted that in the spirit of mutual respect, administrative clarity, and intergovernmental cooperation, Idemili North LGA acknowledged that should any segment of Limca Road extend into Onitsha North Local Government Area, Onitsha North retained the right to name or designate such portion in accordance with its own jurisdictional powers.

“Accordingly, we respectfully advise Onitsha North Local Government Area to recognize and respect the jurisdictional authority of Idemili North LGA concerning areas within its domain, just as we remain committed to respecting theirs.

“Idemili North Local Government Area remains guided by the principles of law, order, and cooperative governance, and will continue to act in the best interest of its people while honouring individuals of outstanding merit,” the statement concluded. (The PUNCH)

Update news