New PG Promises To Build Secretariat
By Uzo Ugwunze
Ogidi community, the country home of the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, has elected Chief Ikwuka Okoye as its President General (PG) in a keenly contested election among four PG contestants and other positions held at the community town hall.
Ikwuka, who is called Anumili by his admirers, scored 991 votes, defeating the runner-up, Chief Chike Maduagwuna, who received 705 votes. The third position went to Collins Mendu with 455 votes, and Chief Nnaemeka Akobi scored 299 votes to emerge in the fourth position.
The other elected executives include Chief Chijioke Ewesiobi Okeke as Vice President, Chukwuemeka Muoenam as secretary, Chief Obinagha Kenneth as treasurer, Chief Chukwuemeka Obor as financial secretary, Achebe Ikechukwu as Public Relations Officer, Obiora Frank Chinwendu as Assistant secretary, and Elochukwu Osondu as provost.
In his post-election speech, Chief Ikwuka, a farmer, commended the electorate for finding him worthy to serve them and vowed to serve them with the fear of God. He also pledged to build a Secretariat that would serve as archives, empower the people by providing tricycles and skill acquisition centers.
Ikwuka, however, lamented the increased crime rate in the community, especially cultism, and urged mothers to monitor the company their children keep to help prevent crime and criminality.
He reiterated his resolve to fight insecurity by setting up a Central vigilante outfit that would cover the entire community and pleaded with the state government to assist Ogidi in fighting erosion menace.
Fielding questions from newsmen in the house of the new PG, where he had come to show solidarity and sportsmanship, the runner-up, Chief Maduagwuna, accepted defeat, saying the election was free, fair, and credible.
He stated, "The election was peaceful, free, fair, and credible. Although it was hectic at the beginning because of the mammoth crowd, after a while, the election process normalized. To me, I do not see reasons why one should go to court in an election that was transparent," he affirmed.
Contributing, a Chieftain in the community, Chief David Obidike, expressed satisfaction with the victory of Chief Ikwuka, disclosing that it was the first time a son of Abor in Akanano quarter had emerged as the PG of Ogidi community.
He, however, attributed the inability of Abor people to produce a PG since inception to a lack of qualified candidates who would pilot the affairs of the community, assuring that Ikwuka would take the people to the promised land.
"Ikwuka wanted to contest in the second tenure election of the outgoing PG, High Chief Chuka Onubogu, but he was advised to step down for him (Onubogu), which he did. Today, the people voted for Ikwuka," he further explained.
Post a Comment