Anambra State Government under Governor Chukwuma Soludo has successfully conducted 138 town union elections in the past year and ten months it has been in office.
The State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Hon Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne disclosed this on Tuesday, during the presentation of Certificates of Recognition to newly elected Presidents-General of 34 communities in the state.
The recognition followed the successful conduct of their PGs’ elections between 26th December 2023 and 7th January 2024, which were duly monitored by the Ministry.
Speaking during the certificate presentation event which took place at SSG Hall, government house Awka, the LG Commissioner, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne revealed that the elections were directed to ensure that the leaders have the mandate of their people.
According to him, the dates were given to the communities for the conduct of the town union elections because the Yuletide, which usually witnesses mass return of the people, presents a veritable opportunity to get a greater number of the communities’ population to participate in the election process.
“This government has a decision to return leadership to the people so that there would be peace in the communities.
“These PGs were elected by their people and the Ministry duly monitored the exercises in the various communities and today, we are recognizing them so that they can go ahead and carry out their duties,” he said.
Nwabunwanne urged the PGs to be wary of politicians and moneybags who would want to derail them from their mandate of serving the people.
He also urged them to be conscious of the programmes of the Chukwuma Soludo administration and ensure that they key into them for the benefit of their respective communities.
The Commissioner further revealed that the present administration of Soludo, as a law-abiding regime, has reinstated elected town union executives who were dethroned by the former administration of Governor Willie Obiano.
“This is a government that prides itself as compliant with the rule of law and so when the court orders came, we obeyed and reinstated the town unions officials removed from office by the former governor.
“The communities involved include Agulu, Alor, Awkuzu, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, and Ifitedunu and they were all reinstated except for that of Nawfia, where I abolished the caretaker there and conducted an election there,” he revealed.
Reacting after he received his letter of recognition, the President-General of Oba Patriotic Union, Engr Tony Uzor Ejiofor, expressed appreciation to the state government, noting that with the certificate, he has been fully empowered to execute the mandate given to him by the Oba people.
He called on the people of Oba to lend their support to his executive, assuring them that under his watch and with their support, Oba will assume its rightful place in the comity of developed communities in the near future.
“Letter of Recognition is one of the cardinal pacts between us and the state government and we’re very grateful to God Almighty for the successful outcome.
“To my good Oba people, I want to assure you all once again that by God’s grace with your overwhelming support to me and my executive, we shall deliver expectedly,” he promised.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of the Certificate of Recognition to the Newly elected President Generals by Commissioner Nwabunwanne, assisted by the Commissioner for Finance and the Special Adviser to the Governor, Political, Hon Dr Alex Obiogbolu.
