The newly elected officers
By David Onwuchekwa
The Okpuno-Egbu community in Umudim, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, has elected Engr. Chibueze Onwuka as the new Chairman of the Okpuno-Egbu Improvement Union.
The electoral officer, Ambassador Paul Muoneke presiding
The election took place on Monday, December 29, at the palace of the Obi of Okpuno-Egbu and was conducted by an electoral committee led by Amb. Paul Muoneke, JP. Community elders, youths and stakeholders were in attendance.
Voters on queue
The exercise witnessed a brief disruption following disagreements involving a group identified by the outgoing Chairman, Rev. Anthony Chukwumemeka, as being opposed to the peace and progress of the community.
Voters on queue
The situation was later brought under control after the intervention of the Nnewi Area Commander, ACP Austin Oyamielen, who appealed for calm and urged all parties to allow the election to proceed peacefully.
Rev. Chukwumemeka explained that the disagreement arose when a faction, allegedly led by Felix Okonkwo and Austin-Manuel Jideofor under the name “Okpuno-Egbu Indigenous,” attempted to hold a parallel meeting and election at the Youth Hall on the same day the community’s general meeting and election were scheduled at the palace.
He noted that December 29 has traditionally been the date for the union’s general meeting and election, held every four years. He said they resisted Mr Okonkwo and his cohorts from having access to the youth hall because the alleged court other was not served the community.
Commending the electoral committee for its conduct, Rev. Chukwumemeka said the election was free and fair. Engr. Chibueze Onwuka polled 135 votes to defeat Christian Utojiuba, who scored six votes, and Moughalu Chibuzo, who got four votes, respectively.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Engr. Chris Egbuna, also praised the electoral committee, describing the process as credible despite what he termed technical challenges caused by some miscreants, which were resolved through diplomacy.
Egbunam disclosed that the Okpuno-Egbu general meeting and election have been in existence since 1962 and insisted that any attempt to conduct a parallel meeting outside the Obi’s palace was illegal.
He added that the Obi of Okpuno-Egbu has continued to play a vital role in promoting unity and development in the community.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Engr. Chibueze Onwuka, thanked God and the people of Okpuno-Egbu for the confidence reposed in him. He pledged to work tirelessly to restore peace, foster unity and attract meaningful development to the community.
Other members of the newly elected executive include: Chinedu Okoli (Vice Chairman), Anaeme Obinna Okechukwu (Secretary), Izuchukwu Francis (Assistant Secretary), Mr Uchenna Igboanugo (Treasurer), Nzeribe Ogochukwu (Financial Secretary), Mr Francis Nwosu (Entertainment Chairman), Arinze Muoto (Entertainment Secretary) and Ojukwu Chinedu (Chief Provost).
