BY PRINCELY ONYENWE, IMO
The people of Umuoma Nekede in Owerri West local government area of Imo state has decried recent cancellation of the already slated to hold community election for the position of the PRESIDENT GENERAL in their area.
This has continued to cause ill feelings and reactions all over the area.
The information made available to 9News Nigeria was that the government of Imo state has keep the election on hold till futher notice whereby granting the former appointees of the traditional ruler the opportunity to continue.
The opposing side, Umuoma People’s Assembly UPA has gone through the process set in place by NEKEDE FEDERATED UNION to conduct the election on Saturday 13-03-2021.
It is on this situation therefore the controversy HEIGHTENS.
A letter issued by the National President of NFU, HIGH CHIEF KENNEDY ZANDERS read thus: Great People of Nekede, I send my greetings. We are all withnesses to the development in our Umuoma community in respect of the planned elections and the sudden appointment of a President General for Umuoma by the local Government Interim Management Chairman. I know the aspirants have done their campaigns, awaiting the elections.
And the Electoral Committee were about to screen the list of delegates before the Local Government appointed a PG. You are also aware that NFU is working on the mandate of Umuoma Community including our Traditional Ruler and the High Court.
We shall make our findings available to all parties. I implore you to please sheath your swords, calm your nerves while NFU takes appropriate steps and do the needful as we are consulting our legal teams and Government functionaries before we report back to the Court as expected.
The Electoral Committee is hereby directed to suspend the elections but continue to systematically verify the list of delegates submitted while we work out an appropriate date for the elections.
We are not stoping any person or group from taking steps that will enhance the democratic principle, but such should be done peacefully within the ambits of the law.
We sincerely thank the Electoral Committee for their bold steps , neutrality and sincerity of purpose in the planning and management of the electoral processes and services to our people. I am sure the execution will be well done when the time comes. Let me also thank NFU leadership for their steadfastness in this patriotic assignment .
I have personally spoken to Omadike, our Traditional Ruler and also the Local Government Chairman in our fact finding mission on the elections. The whole concept is to have a peaceful and fair elections based on the prevailing Umuoma constitution. On that we stand. Let me also inform the house that NFU fund belongs to the people and the Leadership merely oversees it.
We are not indebted to any committee or person both for the election or otherwise. Issues of funding are taken through request documentation and then approval is given in writing.
I acknowledge the application for funding of the elections. NFU has given approval to assist. In epitome, my brothers , our leaders and fathers let us be honest to the service to our people, and not fan the embers of discord or beat the drums of war. We must jointly find solution to our problems as they come. May God continue to guide and bless us”
But on the contrary, Ethics and Privileges Committee of the
Proposed IKEOKAM AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY today dated 13th March 2021 has issued a communique threatening to separate from Umuoma Nekede and cliamed to float an autonomous community having written as thus:
Our attention has been drawn to the recent, sad and unfortunate puported appointment of Mr Uchenna Nwaneri as the President General of Umuoma Autonomous community when the entire community is set out to go to the polls for a free, fair, credible and popular election of same.
Though as funny and petty as that may sound, we hereby state the following:
- That if democratic institutions are not returned in Umuoma Autonomous community Umuikea and her brother Umuezerokam will be left with no other option than to vacate the marriage called Umuoma.
- For how long shall the traditional institution in Umuoma be in court with her subjects.
- The proposed Ikeokam Autonomous community has the required land mass, the infrastructure and the population required to seek approval for the status of a separate autonomous community from the present Umuoma Nekede.
- Ikeokam Autonomous community has the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, St Patrick’s Catholic Parish, it has a big viable market the Nkwononuyo Market, it has two Town Halls, a youth hall built by the distinguished Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and another one built by the women.
- Ikeokam has a government primary School; The famous Central School Nekede. It also has a Government Secondary School Nekede Secondary School sitting right on the soil of Ikeokam Autonomous community.
- We will direct our lawyers to proceed and apply to the State Government authorities for recognition as a new autonomous community if after 14 days town Union Elections are not directed in Umuoma Autonomous community.
A stitch in time saves Nine.
From our findings, there is no law restricting any community in Imo state from their rights of community leadership and selection of their leaders through appropriate procedure. Again this appointment of PRESIDENT GENERAL was done in the mid of covid-19 pandemic awaiting the due time of election to be announced by Government until the sudden broke up of the news to retain UCHE Nwaneri as Umuoma PRESIDENT GENERAL till futher notice.
A call to the Imo state government to as a matter of urgency, save Imo communities address this matter.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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