..Demands Maintenance Of Equity, Rotation Agreement
The people of Obohia/Ekwereazu Ward in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Imo State, have vehemently rejected the imposition of a candidate by some APC LGA Leaders in conspiracy with selfish individuals from the Ward.
The Ward Leaders are baffled as to how the list emerged without consulting critical Ward Leaders, sparking outrage among the people.
The Ward, comprising five communities (Elekenowasi Obohia, Umuihuocha Obohia, Amano Obohia, Umuedo Obohia and Ekwereazu Town), had unanimously agreed to rotate the Councillorship Position, with Umuihuocha Obohia being the favored Community for 2024.
The imposition, orchestrated by some LGA Leaders and selfish Ward individuals, violates the Zoning Agreement, breeding political instability. The people demand that the party respects the Zoning Agreement, selects a candidate from Umuihuocha Obohia, who has a better aspirant with a deep understanding of local legislation and the capacity to occupy a principal position at the council.
Speaking with journalists
in Owerri on Thursday, APC Ward Chairman of Obohia/Ekwereazu Ward, Comr. Okey Nwagwu, clarified that the leaders of APC in the Ward met and zoned the Councillorship Position to Umuihuocha Obohia in line with the Charter of Equity, Fairness and Zoning Arrangement which he said has been existing in the Ward, hinting that some leaders of APC there were very surprised to see the name of Okoro Henry Anaelechi who is from Amano Obohia who has gone to the Council two times flying as candidate of the Ward.
Nwagwu said the party leaders decided to maintain the already established equity, fairness and zoning system in the Ward to give room to minority areas to test governance.
He pointed out that “among the two Aspirants from Umuihuocha Obohia, Orji Wisdom Uche is more enlightened and credible hence the party through a consensus settled for him”, but wondered how Okoro Henry Anaelechi name was shortlisted as Candidate.
Just as Engr. John Ibe, Town Union President General of Elekenowasi in Obohia and
Mr. Paulinus Uzogara, Ekwereazu Town Union Secretary, stated that the renegation of the zoning agreement violates the Imo State Charter of Equity, emphasizing fairness and balance in political representation.
The leaders of sister Town Union unanimously supported Engr. John Ibe’s position, insisting that “the APC should review the situation and make a decision soon because the zoning agreement cuts across all political parties.”
Chief Paul Obasi, LGA Apex Leader from the Ward disclosed that they were surprised to notice that the ward consensus candidate was shortchanged after they submitted it to the LGA for state declaration.
They further informed that they have made an official report to the party leadership and expect that the mistake will be corrected.
Opinion Poll shows that 95% of respondents rejected the imposed candidate – 90% demanded that the candidate be selected from Umuihuocha Obohia – 85% believed that the APC action undermined democracy ethos.
The people of Obohia/Ekwereazu Town Ward remain resolute in their demand for a candidate from Umuihuocha Obohia, urging APC to urgently heed their call to avoid escalation of crisis.
