Crisis brews in Awka as Awka Monarch washes his hands off Awka Town Union tussle

www.odogwublog.com reports that the tension is brewing in Awka the capital of Anambra state concerning
the election into the community’s Town Union leadership.

There is allegation and counter allegation on why the Awka election did not hold as scheduled with the state government intervening and instituting a caretaker committee for the community.

They accused the President General of Awka Development Union of Nigeria, Engineer Tony Okechukwu of purported tenure elongation which they insist must be resisted.

The traditional ruler of Awka , His Royal Majesty, Eze Gibson Nwosu yesterday dissociated himself from the  brewing crisis in Awka Development Union concerning electing a new leadership of the town.

Obi Nwosu said he was bent on making sure they have peaceful transition from one administration to another, but was disappointed that his efforts were now regarded as an act of conspiracy against the interest of Awka Kingdom.

His Words, 'I don’t have any interest in any candidate, mine as the traditional ruler of Awka was to ensure peace in maintained and see that whoever emerges as the President General of Awka, under a free and credible election, my duty is to present the person to the governor as our new PG'’.

‘'Why would some people take pride in causing disharmony in a peaceful community like Awka and I want to urge them to give peace a chance and allow any eligible candidate to participate in the socio-cultural exercise''.

But responding to the allegation, Engineer Tony Okechukwu debunked the allegations, describing it as baseless and accused some people he described as desperate trying to truncate the peace Awka has long been enjoying under his tenure.

He said the delay in conduct of the election into the town union was sequel to a directive sent by the special adviser to the Anambra State governor on chieftaincy and town union matters, Mr. R.O. Udemba, directing that all town union elections should be put on hold.
He informed that his team had concluded arrangements to conduct the election on March 7, 2015,but  it had to shelve it following Governor’s directive.

Okechukwu blamed his ordeal on the dust to dust ritual his mother performed while burying his late father which he said has been determined by the church and a court of competent jurisdiction. He said the dust-dust issue that happened in 2012 is still fresh in their mind, and they now see it as an opportunity to it back as me for my re-election bid.''

'If they insist we go by the Ifite axis position, that means I will now contest afresh tenure for our second term of office, because Honourable Emeke Nwogbo's tenure was abridged by his political ascension to the house of representatives.'' Okechukwu explained.

Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano through the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs directed a stop to that election.

The letter from government reads: “Please kindly note that in view of the upcoming general elections in the country, there is the compelling need to maintain peace and order in all the communities in the state. Consequently, all town union elections will be kept on hold until after the conduct of the general elections.

“This policy implies that Awka Development Union election scheduled for March 7, 2015 has been suspended in this circumstance. In the light of the above, the present Awka Development Union executive should hold forth, while the town union election shall be conducted within the first half of the month of May, 2015.”
However, a section of the community, apparently not aware of the government’s directive, held a meeting in Awka during which they accused the PG of trying to perpetuate himself in office after the expiration of his tenure on March 17, 2015.

However, the Izu-Ozo community heads have called on Anambra state Governor Willie Obiano to intervene as a matter of urgency to restore normalcy to the state capital city president general squabble.
They alleged the outgoing President General of Awka Development Union of Nigeria (ADUN), Mr. Tony Okechukwu  is planning to perpetuate himself in office, after serving his constitutional tenure of single term of three years.

They  allegedly  he was conspiring with the Awka traditional ruler, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, the Eze-Uzu II of Awka   to alter the constitution in the bid to serve two terms in office.

Addressing journalists in Awka,  the secretary of  Izu-Ozo Group in Awka, a group of titled men in Awka, Dr. Aneze Chinwuba said Awka constitution does not provide for tenure elongation, adding that Okechukwu has ceased to be the PG for Awka since March 17, 2015.

He said: “Our constitution says that election of new PG must be conducted three months to the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent, but Okechukwu started talking about the election after Awka people had started complaining about the sit tight attitude of the PG.

“He wanted an extension and was telling people that he needed more time to organize the election, which was why three different groups in Awka wrote the state government to object the suggestion for the extension.

” In the midst of the confusion, the Izu Awka, an assembly of all Awka people, met and insisted on the appointment of caretaker committee, pending the conduct of the election in May as directed by the state government.

According to Chinwuba, we first visited the eldest man in Awka who blessed everybody before the meeting was held at Obu Awka, with all the branch presidents of Awka Development Union Nigeria in attendance.

 He added that it was at the meeting that seven persons were selected to serve as members of the caretaker committee.

Chinwuba said further: “We have written the state governor, notifying him of the decision of Awka people. Awka is against tenure elongation and if anybody tells Okechukwu that he will stay beyond his tenure, that person is merely encouraging tenure elongation which is not in our constitution. “The seven persons that have been selected as caretaker committee members are standing by for the governor to approve their nominations.”




Photo : Igwe Idigo and Gibson Nwosu