By Aloysius Attah
After years of struggle over an alleged refusal of the Francis Enemuo-led leadership to vacate office, new leaders for the Okpoko Central Executive Committee in Ogbaru LGA, Anambra State have been elected.
The election was made possible sequel to a court judgement by Justice Chukwudi Okaa of Ogbaru High Court, Atani who declared on 14th November, 2024 that the tenure of office of the 1st defendant, Enemuo and all the members of Central Executive Committee of Okpoko Community Development expired on 26/5/23.
The court also ordered the administrative secretary, Chukwudi Ehiobu to take over the affairs of the union leading to the election of new executive.
The 16 –member executive is led by Okechukwu Odidika as President General. Other members of the executive elected included Okwudili Obioha, 1st Vice President; Sunday Ezike, 2nd Vice President; Romanus Elemuo, Secretary; Austin Ukeje, Assistant Secretary; Vincent Offor, Treasurer; Ejike Uzomba, Welfare; Emeka Omire, Financial Secretary; Uche Uzoigwe, Chief Provost;. Linus Nwowu, Provost; Patrick Utobo, 2nd Provost; Okwudiri Ibeneme, 3rd Provost; Francis Nwanze,, 4th Provost; Martin Eze, PRO; Solomon Onyenoneke, Auditor and Barr. M. C. Ezejim, Legal Adviser.
Odidika said the newly elected leadership will strive to maintain peace and progress in the area. He appreciated Governor Soludo for fulfilling his promise of turning Okpoko from a slum community to a modern city by providing roads, health centre and street lights.
Like Oliver Twist, he said the people are now yearning for Soludo to build more modern schools in the area so as to equip the youngsters in the area academically in order to end criminality and restiveness in the community. He said when the large number of dropouts in the community are absorbed into public schools, there would be a new order of peace and crime free scenario in the community as most of the idle youths would be engaged in learning and would also turn into other productive ventures after graduation.
The community said they would also mobilise massively for Governor Soludo’ s second term bid as a payback for the revolution he brought into Okpoko, the first of its kind in the history of Anambra State.
Stakeholders in the area, Hon. Zeribe Ezeanuna, Chief Godwin Ehiobu, Emeka Omeire and Chief Okechukwu Okweji said the pledge by the Odidika-led newly elected 16-man executive to pursue the path of peace and reconciliation would make Okpoko community which is one of the 179 communities in the state to heave a sigh of relief.
Members of the community said they were excited that the election went on successfully and urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to monitor the activities of his appointees to avoid soiling his name and administration.
