From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The people of Edem-Ani community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Wednesday, unanimously elected Chief Samuel Asadu, a US-based Nurse, as their new traditional ruler.
The election, which took place at the community’s Central School, was supervised and monitored by a government team from state’s Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, led by its Commissioner, Chief Charles Egumgbe.
Chief Asadu, who is also a philanthropist, was elected unopposed with 715 votes amid cheers and jubilation. He will fill the vacuum created following the demise of the community’s former monarch, HRH Igwe Sunday Asogwa, who died a year ago.
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Declaring Asadu winner, Mr Innocent Asogwa, chairman of the electoral committee, said that Asadu was the only contestant that indicated interest in the vacant position, and was massively and unanimously voted to be the next ‘Igwe’ of the community.
“Before we got to this point, the electoral committee had developed application forms for the stool of Igwe Edem-Ani, and public notice was widely published in all the 15 villages of the community,” he said.
“At the end of sales of forms exercise, only one candidate, one Chief Asadu purchased the form, paid required fee and complied with all the requirements spelt out in the form. He duly returned same within the stipulated time.
“Today, you all have demonstrated your trust on him to be the traditional ruler of our community by coming out in en masse and unanimously casting your votes for him.
“After the vote count, Chief Asadu scored 715 votes, having satisfied every other requirement, I hereby present him to you and accordingly returned him unopposed as the Igwe designate of Edem-Ani autonomous community,” Asogwa stated.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Asadu thanked all sons and daughters of Edem-Ani for choosing him as their traditional ruler, and the state government for their support and their good work in the community, adding that the community will continue to support programmes and policies of the state government.
He promised that his reign would bring positive change, saying it was time to witness double progress, unity and peace in the community.
In his remarks, Chief Egumgbe commended the community for their peaceful conduct in choosing and electing their new traditional ruler.
He advised the community to immediately present the Igwe elect to the local government authorities, to enable them forward his details to the ministry for onward transmission to the governor for issuance of certificate of recognition and the staff of office.
The commissioner appealed to the people to support and also pray for the traditional ruler elect to succeed in his assignment.
Speaking, Chief Christian Ugwu, the town union president, referred to the Igwe-elect is an illustrious son of Edem-Ani that has done much for the community.
“The people of Edem-Ani decided to elect him today unopposed because of so many things he has done for the community.
“For instance he built and equipped a modern hospital for the community which members access free of charge, he sink many boreholes in the community, build houses for some widows, as well empowered many members of the community, among others,” he stated.
Also speaking, Lolo Eberechukwu Asadu, the wife of the Igwe-elect, expressed her appreciation to the people of Edem-Ani community for the trust and confidence they have on her husband and promised she will continue to support him on the good works and services he has been rendering to his people that made them to elect him unopposed.