The Oba Global Initiative (OGI), an association of indigenes and stakeholders of Oba Community, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State over the weekend, called on the state government and all indigenes of the community to respect the constitution of the town, in electing new executives of Oba Patriotic Union (OPU).
Oba community has been enmeshed in a town union crises, a development that had lingered for a while, brought about a lot of ills and resulted in all manner of backward movement for the community.
However, in April, this year, the state government through the state Commissioner for Local government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, appointed an Interim Town Union Government for the community.
This government had among its terms of reference, to reconcile the different factions in the community and conduct election into the Oba Patriotic Union by December 31st, 2023.
In a press briefing in Oba over the weekend, the Oba Global Initiative (OGI), regretted that all manners of intrigues have been reportedly hatched by individuals with vested interest to ensure that their preferred candidate emerges as the President General.
The OGI Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Obiora Anyaoku, flanked by other members of the association, said the reason for this, is that whoever becomes the next President-General will play a critical role in the selection of the next Eze Okpoko Oba.
He further alleged that plans are in top gear with some people in the community to thwart the provisions of the constitution of the community, as regards how the president general must emerge.
He said; “In this present election cycle, the office of the President General is zoned to Umuogali zone while of the Secretary General is zoned to Isu Zone. Similarly, other offices are zoned to different zones, to ensure equity and inclusiveness in the administration of the town.”
Dr Anyaoku further stated that zones reserve full prerogative to select one of their own to serve the tenure zoned to it without interference from persons or groups outside the zones.
“the OGI is of the candid opinion that section 20.3(a) of the OPU constitution which states that ‘a candidate for election to an office shall obtain a nomination form and be nominated by two financially up-to-date members fo the community, from the candidate’s Umunna.’
“In other words, the two members who may nominate a candidate must come from two financially up-to-date Umunna within the zone and not from any Umunna outside of the zone,” he emphasized.
Dr Anyaoku therefore condemned all attempts by some groups, to sponsor Independent candidates to compete with candidates who were democratically chosen by their zones in line with Oba constitution, said ” the zones should have a free hand to select their preferred candidates for the offices zoned to them by the OPU constitution”.
He added that, “the Spirit and letter of the OPU constitution do not envisage ‘independent’ candidates therefore; the prerogative of the zones to select their preferred candidates through democratic process should be respected”.
The Association also called on all indigenes of Oba, especially the Interim Town Union Government and all other groups to give unfettered support to the OPU Executive electoral committee, in order to ensure a peaceful and succeful election. He added that any attempt to rig or manipulate the December 31st 2023 election could lead to a break down of law and order in Oba.
Also speaking, another member of the group, Chief Ifeatu Izowulu,stressed the need for the OPU electoral committee and security agencies to be professional and impartial in order to ensure a seamless town union election come Decmber 21, 2023.
