UPDATE: Innoson Demolition Sparks Outrage and Silence: CEO Chukwuma Awaits Soludo Meeting Amid Claims of Vendetta

 

The recent demolition of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) head office in Nnewi, Anambra State, has triggered a wave of controversy, sparking reactions from prominent figures, local leaders, and the general public. The structure, located along the bustling Owerri Road in Umudim, was partially torn down by contractors executing the dualisation of the Agulu-Nnobi-Nnewi-Ozubulu-Okija road project, leaving behind confusion and rising speculation over the motive behind the act.

While the event continues to dominate conversations, one voice remains conspicuously silent—that of Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, the chairman of the company. Addressing the silence during an exclusive interview with Legit.ng on April 25, Chukwuma explained his decision to refrain from making public statements about the development. According to him, he will only make his position known after a face-to-face discussion with Governor Charles Soludo, with whom he shares a longstanding personal and professional relationship.

"I cannot say anything now till I meet Governor Soludo and talk with him about what was demolished. He is my very good friend, and we do a lot of things together," Chukwuma stated calmly. Despite the frenzy of public opinions and growing accusations circulating online, he remains steadfast in his measured approach, emphasizing that inflammatory reactions won’t influence his next steps. “I will meet with Mr. Governor over the demolition, and I believe our talks shall be fruitful. Until then, I reserve my comments,” he concluded.

Adding further weight to the incident, Mr. Cornel Osigwe, spokesperson for the IVM company, voiced disappointment and concern over how the demolition unfolded. He stated that the exercise was carried out without any formal pre-demolition notice to the company, thereby catching employees off guard while they were at work. “We did not know that the building itself was marked for demolition, and if it was marked, they should have given us time to relocate,” Osigwe lamented.

He also described the chaos that ensued during the demolition. According to him, some employees were trapped inside the structure as the demolition equipment moved in unannounced. Rescue efforts by colleagues helped avert serious casualties, but the damage was extensive. Over 20 company vehicles were reportedly caught in the midst of the operation.

Osigwe recounted that only a day before the demolition, a general announcement was made stating that affected structures would be given a one-week relocation period. The sudden move against IVM’s facility raised questions among staff and observers alike, especially since other buildings nearby, also marked for removal, were left untouched.

This prompted Osigwe to suggest the possibility of a hidden agenda. “The way and manner that everything happened makes us wonder if the state government is aware that those handling the demolition have a personal vendetta against the company,” he noted. However, he expressed hope that the incident was not a calculated political move, stating that both Governor Soludo and the company have shared a history of mutual support.

Public criticism was swift and sharp. Among those who condemned the demolition was former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who not only decried the action but also questioned the silence of other political figures such as ex-Governor Peter Obi and former Minister Oby Ezekwesili. Omokri argued that their silence in the face of such a high-profile event was telling and disappointing.

The community leadership in Nnewi, however, sees the matter differently. Otolo Nnewi President-General, Amobi Adupue, defended the demolition as a necessary sacrifice in the pursuit of infrastructure development. He highlighted that the demolition wasn’t targeted solely at IVM, citing several other notable properties that were affected. These include the Central Police Station in Nnewi, the residence of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and her late husband Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, OTC company, various homes, religious institutions, and businesses.

This, according to Adupue, demonstrates that the demolition was a broad-based urban renewal project, not a targeted attack. He called for calm and understanding, urging residents and stakeholders to view the development from a wider lens.

The Anambra State government, through the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, issued a public statement maintaining that IVM had been duly notified about the demolition since November 2024. He affirmed that a stakeholders’ meeting had been convened a month prior to the demolition, where all property owners were briefed on the upcoming road expansion and the structures to be affected.

“There cannot be a separate rule for the rich and another for the poor,” Mefor declared. “All citizens will be treated equally under the law.” He stressed that the administration is committed to fairness and that due process was followed.

Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okoma, also reinforced this stance during a visit to the construction site, stating that IVM’s head office had long been included in the list of buildings marked for removal as part of the state’s infrastructural revamp.

Despite the official explanations, the handling of the demolition continues to raise questions about communication, transparency, and the protection of indigenous businesses. As the public awaits further developments, especially the much-anticipated meeting between Chukwuma and Soludo, the event has reignited debates about governance, corporate rights, and the delicate balance between development and justice in Anambra State.