Commissioner for Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, Hon. Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, has responded to the protests against her, stating that she cannot be protested against for standing on the path of truth. She emphasized that the Council election is a political party affair and should be done according to party guidelines, devoid of emotions and sentiment.
Ugwu explained that she is not against the existing rotational Councilors zoning arrangement in Ntueke Community but rather against the appointment of a non-party member as a Councilor, which goes against party guidelines. She suggested that the person appointed by the people of Ofeiyi Village, Chimezie Ibekwe, should prepare for the Ward Primary election if he is a member of the party.
Ugwu stated that she will not allow opposition to take over the Ward and that the election is not a community thing but a party affair. She advised the people of Ofeiyi Village to shop for a Councilor Aspirant from the APC and expressed surprise that they were unable to produce one.
In her words, ” yes, Ntueke Ward, before now have accepted zoning arrangements but it can’t go against the party. I’m a leader and Commissioner from the Ward and will not fold my hands and allow oppositions to take over the Ward.
We have APC members in Uhuala village but Ofeiyi Village is predominantly for the oppositions and the person they purportedly appointed to serve the Ward as Councilor is a non registered member of our party APC.
The Chief of Ofeiyi Village single handedly appointed him and introduced him to the Traditional Ruler Eze Chinedo and his cabinets who endorsed him. The election is not a community thing rather a party affairs. I have no problem with the zoning arrangement, I want peace in my Ward”.
“Moreover, will not allow oppositions to hide under the zoning arrangements to take over our ward as a Councilors”.
Earlier, I advised the people of Ofeiyi Village to shop for a Councilors Aspirant among APC party members and someone was introduced and later he was pressurized to withdrew while they brought another person who is not even a member of the party and has no party card”.
“I told them to look for APC members and uptill now they were unable to produce one. And I don’t know, why they want to force a non APC party member on Ntueke Ward.
We are from the community and we know ourselves and should not be fooled to accept such gimmicks against the Ntueke Ward as our party in Ntueke Ward is prepared and stronger to win the election”. Lady Ugwu
Recalling a protest was held on August 21, 2024, at the Palace of Ntueke Traditional Ruler, Eze Uchenna Chinedo, alleging that, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu was trying to impose her Personal Assistant, Chinedu Mbachu, as a Councilor for Ntueke Ward.
However, an investigation found that the accusations against Lady Ugwu were baseless. The person contesting from Ntueke Ofeiyi Uhuala village, Chimezie Ibekwe, is actually a member of the opposition party and not a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The APC is willing to support any aspirant from the village, regardless of gender, to maintain the zoning arrangement. If no one from the expected village is available, any other party member can run for the Councilor position in Ntueke Ward.