Anambra Community Insists On Peaceful Conduct Of Town Union Election

Irked by the alleged inability of Anambra State government to conduct a fresh election or recognise their president-general, Chief Luke Chukwu, the people of Owerre-Ezukala community, Orumba South Local Government Area, have vowed never to accept the election of Chief Anayo Emejue, as the new PG of the community, insisting that due process must be followed.

Addressing newsmen on the crises situation presently rocking the community that has resulted in tearing the community into two sections, with each allegedly having its own monarch and PG, a former Onitsha branch chairman of Owerre-Ezukala Development Union, Chief Norbert Okoli, accused some government officials of conducting an election that was not acceptable by majority of the people.

“I blame the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the Orumba South council chairman, Hon. Raymond Onyegu and Special Advisers to Governor Willie Obiano on Town Union Matters for the crises rocking our community now. Governor Willie Obiano is not aware of the illegalities being perpetrated by those people.

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“I am not against the election of Anayo Emejue as the PG, but against the manner the election was conducted. What we are saying is that our own PG, Chief Luke Chukwu, was elected and Awka said that they did not recognise or accept his election.

Invariably, it means that they will not issue him certificate of recognition. Even Chukwu’s predecessor, Chief Martin Orji, has not handed over to Chukwu as I am talking to you now. So, if by any means Orji hands over to Emejue, it should not be right as the election was not done in accordance with our constitution.

“Majority of those said to have been elected with Emejie are not constitutionally qualified to contest the said election. Outside the post of provost, for every other post, the contestant must acquire a minimum of HND. We know the people, who were elected with him, most of them were not qualified and himself being in their midst, will not have the support of the people. Let the right thing be done.

“If they say Chukwu has served his tenure, let them issue him with certificate of return. They should ask Awka if Chukwu has gotten any benefit as PG or has attended PG meeting. These are necessary questions to ask Awka.

“You don’t talk of tenure when there is no election. Election gives birth to tenure. Government said there was no election that produced Chukwu, and because there should not be vacuum, somebody has to be coordinating.

If Chukwu had not been doing that our town would have collapsed by now because, Chief Martins Orji, former PG, has dissolved his executive. In our constitution, it is the PG that dissolves the office and appoints the returning officer who in turn, conducts the election.

“In this case, who dissolved the office? Is it Chukwu, government or the people that elected Emejue that dissolved the office? We are from a section, Imeobi, and  Emejue is from Eziowerre. Government has just created two monarchs and two PGs in our community by conducting a kangaroo election.

“Government should send a delegation to our community for them to see things for themselves and believe in what we are saying, that the emergence of Emejue is not the issue but the process to his emergence. He remains my friend and I will support him, if due process is followed,” Norbert Okoli further stated.