Obazu Mbieri Community is intact ready to conduct Town Union Election… Osuji
Mbaitoli Local Government Can’t Disband the Committee
By our Reporter
The Chairman of the Obazu Mbieri Community Town Union Election Committee, Hon. Ugochukwu Osuji, has affirmed that the committee is fully prepared to conduct a credible and transparent election.
Hon. Osuji stated that the committee is committed to upholding the trust reposed in it by the people of Obazu Mbieri and ensuring that the process reflects the wishes of the community in line with its constitution.
The APC chieftain, who previously contested for the Mbaitoli Local Government Area Council chairmanship, expressed optimism that the forthcoming election would usher in a purposeful and effective Town Union leadership.
He called on the immediate past President General, Chief Iheanyi Abaekwume, who has served for about eight years despite a three-year tenure provision, to step aside in the interest of peace and unity within the community.
Hon. Osuji also urged Chief Abaekwume to refrain from making statements he described as disrespectful toward the Traditional Ruler of Obazu Mbieri, His Royal Highness Eze Francis Elendu Agunwa, whom he praised as a respected monarch committed to community development and progress.
He emphasized that the collective interest of Obazu Mbieri must take precedence over personal ambitions, stressing that any position or action not aligned with the overall benefit of the community would not serve the people.
According to him, the election guidelines will soon be made available to members of the community.Meanwhile, a report published by an Imo State–based tabloid alleging that the Mbaitoli Local Government Area Council Chairman, Hon. Ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo, has disbanded the Obazu Mbieri Community Town Union Election Committee is misleading and appears aimed at frustrating the community’s resolve to elect a credible and representative Town Union leadership.
Contrary to the claims in the publication, it is not the responsibility of the council to nominate or appoint an election committee for the community. The Obazu Mbieri Community duly nominated and inaugurated its Election Committee, whose members are considered capable of conducting a free, fair, and transparent election.
The attempt to draw the Traditional Ruler, HRH Eze Francis Elendu Agunwa, into the controversy is equally unfounded. The monarch has not been found wanting in the discharge of his duties as custodian of the community’s culture and security.
Hon. Ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo is therefore urged to exercise caution and avoid being misled by individuals allegedly bent on disrupting the peace of Mbaitoli LGA. Similarly, the people of Obazu Mbieri Community are advised not to be swayed by those seeking to create unnecessary tension.
Regarding the Town Union leadership under Mr. Iheanyi Abaekwume, who has held office for the past eight years, it was earlier agreed that an election would be conducted for his replacement, as the leadership of the community is not a personal entitlement. The delay in conducting the election prompted the community to appoint and inaugurate an Election Committee. The committee members are working diligently to deliver within the stipulated timeframe and remain undeterred.
This development aligns with the recent directive of the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, that communities facing Town Union leadership issues should prepare to elect new leaders.
In line with this directive, the people of Obazu Mbieri Community are set to elect new Town Union leaders and not to deterred by the interference of the mischief makers and the Chairman Mbaitoli Local Government Area Council Hon ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo who has no right to disrupt the election as his role ends in the monitoring and not to disband the election committee under the alleged inducement by the former President General.
Furthermore, claims that HRH Eze Francis Elendu Agunwa has been incapacitated are false. The monarch is reported to be hale and hearty and has called on Hon. Ifunanya Lactus Nwanegwo to tread carefully and prevent his name from being used to foment discord or crisis in Mbaitoli LGA.