By Mimi Chiadikobi
Ichie Ifeanyi Ndulue, (Ichief Onyima Enugwu-Agidi), Chief Press Secretary to HRH, Igwe Michael Okekeuche, of Enugwu-Agidi Ancient Kingdom and Igwe-in-Council has announced that a scheduled peace meeting spearheaded by the traditional ruler and the council members will hold on Sept.26.
He called on all branches, villages, and all other organs of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU), Nigeria, delegates for the Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting to be punctual to enable the committee achieve great success.
Ndulue said in an interview with journalists in Awka on Thursday that the meeting was apt, adding that EBU had resolved to return peace in the community constitutionally through a dialogue.
Ndulue urged all statutory members of the CEC to make every effort to attend the upcoming CEC meeting scheduled for the 26th and 27th of September at the secretariat 10am on the dot.
He said that the concern of the meeting was to constitutionally discuss modalities of the upcoming President-General election in December and other related matters bothering on the peaceful co-existence of the community members.
He appealed to all delegates for total compliance with the EBU constitution as a way to restore lasting peace in the community knowing that peaceful environment is imperative for sustainable community development.
Ndulue reminded the delegates that the composition of the CEC of EBU over the years, specifically, Article 15, Section 3, Subsection 3(a) to (h) of the EBU Constitution clearly outlines the structure of the CEC. He cited some sections of the EBU Constitution:
“The Central Executive: Committee shall comprise of all the National Officers of EBU Nigeria,and all Ex-Presidents-General and Ex-Secretaries-General.
“Chairmen, Secretaries, and three delegates from each Branch, Chairmen and Secretaries of Villages, All Patrons.
“ Three members of the Igwe’s Cabinet, Chairmen and Secretaries of Ulo-Nabo and Council of Elders and All Political Office Holders.”
He regretted that the constitutional provision has not been faithfully upheld in recent years which he said result in the legitimacy and inclusiveness of decisions taken under the EBU umbrella beig increasingly called into question.
Ndulue said that based on the alleged abuse of the constitution that some members and branches of the community chose to distance themselves from the activities of the current leadership due to past grievances.
He said that the meeting was then convened under this premise to discuss key issues that triggered the wrong narratives and put a stop to it as most assumed wrong decisions are still being made, and these decisions are often presented as the official resolutions of the entire town, whether rightly or wrongly.
He called on all delegates from the organs of EBU particularly on fellow indigenes of Etiti Village to actively participate as these issues are engaged through due democratic processes, especially now as the end of the current administration’s tenure is being approached.
Ndulue noted that another key agenda during the meeting is the proposed constitutional amendments which participation should be seen as not just a right, but as a responsibility.
He appealed to the President-General of EBU Nigeria, Mr Ebuka Onuorah, to demonstrate leadership by ensuring strict compliance with and enforcement of the EBU Constitution, especially as it concerns the qualifications and composition of the CEC.
Ndulue said that such action would be a powerful show of commitment to the peace initiative and would restore the confidence of many branches and members, particularly those living and working outside the town, who have felt marginalised or sidelined in past deliberations.
“Many of them travel long distances to attend meetings, only to find themselves drowned out by mobilied crowds whose legitimacy as members of the CEC is questionable.
“By enforcing the constitution, we ensure order, fairness, and inclusiveness, and we send a strong message that the era of impunity and disregard for constitutional processes is behind us.
“Let us rise above divisions and embrace peace, guided by the constitution and driven by our shared commitment to the development of Enugwu-Agidi.
“The time to act is now. Let us all be part of the solution, not the problem,” Ndulue said
