.. Okuzu Akanato Elects Electoral Officer
By
Uzo Ebele
President Okuzu Improvement
Union, Hon. (Rev) Ukadike Ibeabuchi
The Okuzu sons declared their
interests to contest for the EzeOkpoko II during a crucial meeting which held
recently at Okuzu hall where Mr. Chinonye Ononye emerged winner as the Okuzu
Akanato Igweship selection/election Electoral Officer with 177 votes over Mr.
Nonso Anigbogu who polled 14 votes.
In his address, President Okuzu
Akanato, Hon Rev Uche Ukadike Ibeabuchi said that although a lot of people were
very displeased that for over 4 years the former Oba community General Igweship
selection/election process led by Dr. Emelummadu could not produce or declare
an Igwe-Elect but for the interest of peace and unity of Oba town, the Okuzu
Akanato people would follow the new directive provided it was according to the
Oba Constitution.
Hon Ukadike Ibeabuchi pledged that under his watch as the President, Okuzu Improvement Union (OIU)duely elected for a second tenure he would ensure that the Okuzu Igweship selection/election committee which comprises of the Electoral Officer, OIU excos, all the Kindred Chairmen and Secretaries with three other members from each kindred, adhere strictly to the requirements of the Oba constitution.
"We are told that we are
starting all over again the Igweship selection/election process which we are
here today to comply with but they have not given us the report of the first
committee before telling us that it has been cancelled. We are still waiting
for that report and doing what they asked us to do.
"We must pursue peace. We
must select a credible and loving candidate who the villagers want. A person
who will protect our interest. All the contestants must know that it is not a
do or die affair. Let love lead," Ibeabuchi said.
Okuzu Village Igweship
Electoral Officer, Mr Chinonye Ononye
The four sons of Okuzu Akanato
who declared interest afresh to contest for Oba Igweship include Chief Samuel
Odinammadu (Ikeora Oba), Nze Ikechukwu Abafor, Sir Samuel Okwuora Mmaduakonam
and Engr. Chiedu Augustine Emelobe (Onwa Oba).
The ovation was high when the
trio of Chief Samuel Odinammadu, Nze Ikechukwu Abafor and Sir Okwuora
Mmaduakonam came out to briefly address the OIU general assembly concerning
their Igweship aspirations and manifesto early enough.
However, the introduction of
Engr Chiedu Emelobe who arrived later at the venue for the crucial meeting to
make his own speech met stiff resistance from majority of the youths who were
shouting at Engr Emelobe, booing and protesting that they do not want to hear
anything he has to say, accusing him of high handedness, brutality and intimidation
with security agencies.
"Who is this one! We don't
want to hear you! Have you come again to arrest and incarcerate us! Igwe police
and DSS! You have come again with your police and DSS. You collected our
motorcycles and now you want to address us. We shall not allow you represent
Okuzu as Igweship candidate. Go and make peace with your kinsmen first, address
them before coming here at the general house to address OIU," they
chanted.
The four aspirants eventually
pleaded for the support of Okuzu people. As Chief Odinammadu and Chief Emelobe
in their separate speeches said that that they would use their connections to
attract infrastructural development and youth employment and empowerment which
includes floating skill acquisition programs Nze Abafor stressed on the need to
select a practicing traditionalist as the EzeOkpoko II.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief
Ben Chibueze(Igbaluogige Oba) thanked the OIU executives for their promptness and doggedness to ensure
that Okuzu villages and people were not denied any right, privilege or
opportunity praying that Okuzu people must remain United in truth until they get
what they desire.
According to the Oba Youth
President, Hon Ebuka Chibueze, "Since the first Oba Igwe
Election/Selection process could not work, the second process is likely to fail
until Oba people decides to stand and uphold the truth without any form of
guile or sentiments. All I know is that the Oba youths will not be used as
thugs or agents of violence or disunity. Oba people should allow Okuzu village
to make their own choice of who will be their candidate for Igweship
selection/election without interference.
Reacting to; the hellacious
hullabaloo that ensued when Engr. Chiedu Emelobe was introduced to address OIU
general meeting, Mr Okwudili Ejiofor said that it was good to be good to people
especially one's relatives irrespective of one's status, wealth or
qualifications so that you can benefit from them when the need arises.
"Charity begins at home.
Money is not everything. It is people that makes king and that begins from your
own brethren. It is good to use your wealth and connection to unite your people
because one day you will need them to stand by you and for you. EzeOkpoko 1
experienced many crises but he maneuvered because his relatives stood by him.
Today, four persons declared interest and it is Okuzu people's wish that one of
them becomes EzeOkpoko II, especially Ikeora Oba who is already widely
accepted," Ejiofor said.
Contributing, The Deputy
Chairman Idemili South LGA, Hon Ebuka Smart said that the noise was instigated
by some aggrieved persons who have personal dislike for the candidate and not a
general representation of the entire Okuzu people. "Onwa has followers
just like other candidates who believes in him as a candidate for EzeOkpoko II
both from Okuzu and among other villages in Oba"
Other Oba Igweship Contenders
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