The fight for the West Ward seat last year after a councilman’s corruption crackup produced a candidate for contest of the year in New Year, as DoItAll Kelly, with the backing of Team Baraka, finally lunged past independent contender Chigozie Onyema in a runoff election.

Today, in perhaps a last gasp of real independence, the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) reported a complaint against Kelly.

The commission filed a complaint against Kelly for failing to comply with the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act.

Onyema reacted.

“We beat that drum during the race,” he told InsiderNJ.

The Newark West Ward attorney described a certain level of assurance in knowing that the commission decided to pursue the complaint.

“Not everyone of us is perfect, of course, but I do think in public life, if you’re running for office, you should have your i’s dotted and t’s crossed,” said Onyema, who ran for the Joe McCallum-vacated seat in part on an argument of securing independent leadership for the residents of the West Ward.

The Ward’s loss last month of veteran state Senator Ronald L. Rice (D-28) further damaged the West’s chances at securing that unconfined voice.

“He was an honest elected official, and his death is incredibly difficult, especially for longtime residents who depended on him as the council seat changed hands over the years. He was a leader of the West Ward. His loss is significant, not only for Newark, but for black politics in general.”