The lingering crisis rocking Nnewi Youth Forum appears to be over following the new date slated for the election of the new executives of the forum.
Nnewi Youth Forum has for months been rocked with crisis largely due to the inability of Nnewichi to successfully present a consensus candidate, although an attempt to present Hon. Ejim Ucheagwu as the preferred choice of the community and the youths was frustrated due to political tension prevalent at the time.
Following the expiration of the tenure of Amb. Paul Muoneke (JP) from Umudim as the President of Nnewi Youth Forum, according to Nnewi rotation formula, Nnewichi community was to produce the President of the forum since June 2022, but due to different political interests, the forum has not had an elected executive.
Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, constituted a seven-member caretaker committee to run the affairs of Nnewi Youth Forum pending when election is conducted and new executives would be elected. The committee was led by Nkem Okeke as Chairman. The Committee was given the mandate to conduct the election. The Committee was later reconstituted due to the resignation of Mr. Nkem Okeke.
Nnewichi Politics
It will be recalled that Anaedoonline.ng on 11th September, 2022, reported that in line with the zoning principle of Nnewichi Community, Hon. Ejim Emmanuel Ucheagwu popularly known as Bishop was presented as the consensus candidate of Ezeobuo-Okpuno, the community in Nnewichi that was ceded the sole right to produce the candidate for the position of the President-General of Nnewi Youth Forum.
After the screening of the aspirants from Ezeobuo-Okpuno, Hon. Ejim Emmanuel Ucheagwu popularly known as Bishop, Prince Tony Nwachukwu Ezenwa (Onowu), and Udegbunam Chibunna Onyebuchi, were successful.
Nnewi North House of Assembly Election: Ucheagwu declares
However, in an election conducted by Ezeobuo Community to select a sole candidate and to extension, Nnewichi Community in line with the zoning arrangement, Hon. Ejim Ucheagwu emerged victorious with a total of twenty-five (25) votes defeating Prince Ezenwa Nwachukwu popularly known as Onowu who scored eleven (11) votes, while Udegbunam Chibunna Onyebuchi withdrew on the basis that he was at the time occupying Ezeobuo slot of the position of Welfare Officer of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi.
After the election, Ezeobuo Community wrote a letter to the President-General of Nnewichi Community, Elder Samuel Egbuna, and notified him of the outcome of the election.
Case Of Forgery and Disqualification Of Udegbunam Chibunna
In May, 2023, Udegbunam Chibunna was suspended as the Local Government Secretary of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for anti-party and embezzlement of campaign funds.
Nnewi North PDP Primaries: Ejim Ucheagwu accepts outcome, continues consultations
Aside the embezzlement of campaign funds and anti-party activities, he was also accused of presenting a forged letter of resignation, in which he forged the signature of his Ward Chairman (Nnewichi Ward 1) claiming that the Chairman acknowledged the letter, in his bid to contest for Nnewi Youth Forum Presidency.
According to his Ward Chairman, Mr. Innocent Onyejekwulum, Chibunna orally told him that he will resign, and never brought any letter to him, so, he was surprised to see a resignation of Chibunna Udegbunam which he was said to have acknowledged with a signature.
Also, the new Caretaker Committee of Nnewi Youth Forum, which was led by Arch. Kenechukwu Onuchukwu (Digital), on their part, disqualified Chibunna Udegbunam from contesting the election on the basis of a petition from Ejim Ucheagwu, who accused Chibunna Udegbunam of not resigning his executive position of People’s Democratic Party as required.
Indefinite Suspension of Chibunna Udegbunam by Nzuko-Ora Nnewi
On 26th October, 2023, the entire Executive members of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, suspended Mr. Chibunna Udegbunam as a member of the Executive and also as welfare officer. In a letter signed by all the executive members, Chibunna was suspended on the basis of his activities which was a very big threat to the existence of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi.
Nnewi Youth Forum Presidency: Ezeobuo-Okpuno Nnewichi Present Ejim Ucheagwu As Consensus Candidate
Although in the letter, the activities was not stated, Anaedoonline.ng learnt that he was sabotaging the activities of the executives. The suspension by Nzuko-Ora Nnewi has not been lifted.
9th March Election
Ahead of the election slated for Saturday 9th March, 2024, Anaedoonline.ng can confirm that Ejim Ucheagwu, Afam Nwachukwu, and Udegbunam Chibunna are still in the race for the Presidency. It is not clear whether the disqualification of Udegbunam Chibunna will still stand, but according to insider reports, Ejim Ucheagwu is a clear front runner with Udegbunam Chibunna and Prince Ezenwa Nwachukwu not relenting .
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