Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Proactive action is needed to avert a possible breach of peace and order in Eziowelle community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State following disagreements over modalities for the conduct of the town union election on Saturday, June 30.
Following the expiration of the first tenure of the incumbent President General (PG), Mr. Titus Akpudo, election for a new town union government which has been fixed for Saturday was however, causing serious tension in the community.
Already, the incumbent PG Akpudo and two others, Emeka Akukwe and Chijioke Iloka have indicated interest to vie for the President General position.
But there was serious threat by some members of the community to disrupt the election while some threatened to stop the exercise through the court if every adult in the community was not allowed to vote as against the stand of others that the position of the town union constitution should be followed.
The town union constitution provides that delegates from the various branches of the town union and age grades were the qualified voters, but those threatening to disrupt the election insisted yesterday that the system of electing the PG must change to accommodate every eligible voter in the community.
Speaking on the tension, the traditional ruler of Eziowelle, Igwe Michael Okonkwo Etusi told newsmen that the position of the PG of Eziowelle surprisingly became a hot cake since a former PG of the town contested and won election into the Anambra State House of Assembly, and people in his domain now feel that becoming a PG could guarantee political office.
He said, “My worry is that there is the possibility of disrupting the peace we have been enjoying in Eziowelle over the years because of the election of PG. This type of tension had never existed here since the over 25 years I have been on the throne and that is why I am disturbed.
“My fear is that there are remote hands causing the confusion in this peaceful community and their action is capable of disrupting the June 30 election.
“My advice is that those who have misgivings about the constitutional provisions for the election of our PG should wait until October when we shall have a convention during which they can push for constitutional amendment of our constitution to accommodate what they want.
“I do not like the idea of some people in the community heating up the polity because of the election for the PG.”
But Chief Anthony Chigbo, an indigene of the community, who threatened to use the court to stop the election, argued that the existing constitution of the town was not ratified, adding that it was made at a time the people felt that using delegates for the election could serve the purpose.
He said, “Today, that constitution can no longer serve the people. We think that every adult should be allowed to vote for the PG of Eziowele.
“These are people who pay taxes and levies and belong to age grades and there is no need to disenfranchise them during the election.
“I remember that in the run up to the last election of the PG, I argued that it was wrong to deny people their right to vote, but they ignored me. We are in a democracy and Eziowele should also practice democracy in the election of its leadership.”