Oba Community Igweship tussle:  Imeobi Okuzu Upholds election, Calls on Government to respect People’s Choice 

BY SUZY CHUKWUECHEDOM / ONITSHA

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The Imeobi Okuzu, made up of indigenes of Okuzu village in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State has called on state government to upheld its election conducted by the Oba Patriotic Union (OPU) on December 21, 2024.

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The people said that election which produced Augustine Emelobe, an Engineer, as the new traditional ruler and Eze Okpoko II of Oba, remains sacrosanct.

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Addressing the press yesterday in Oba, Secretary of Imeobi Okuzu, Mr. Emmanuel Mbadiegwu who read the resolutions of the Imeobi signed by the Chairman, Chuks Oragwam noted the Imeobi Okuzu reviewed the election.

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“Oba Igweship selection process of the December 21, 2024 election followed the due process of law and the Constitution of Igwe and Eze Okpoko of Oba 1999”, he said.

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The Imeobi Okuzu stated, “the will of Oba people expressed through their votes during the said election and declaration of Engr. A. C. Emelobe as winner and Igwe-elect by the Returning Officer must prevail, while there is  no legal or constitutional basis to conduct a repeat election as being canvassed in some quarters.”

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He said that the winner of the election, Engr A. C. Emelobe has been presented with a Certificate of Return, the traditional Ofo and Crown of Igwe and Eze Okpoko Oba by the Oba kingmakers and warning that any attempt to repeat these processes would amount to a grievous desecration of the culture, customs and traditions of Oba people , which might attract serious consequences.

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The Imeobi Okuzu also stated that all suggestions for the conduct of fresh Igweship primary or final elections should be jettisoned because such an exercise can only lead to chaos and breakdown of law and order in Oba.

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“While the presence of Election Observers at the said election may be considered desirable, it is neither a legal nor a constitutional imperative, therefore , the failure of the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs to send observers to the election he had approved and directed to be shifted from Thursday , December 19th 2024  to Saturday December 21st 2024 to enable civil servants to participate in the election cannot invalidate  the Oba Igweship election and  its outcome”

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“The Imeobi Okuzu hereby calls on all well-meaning people of Oba to rally round the OPU and  the Igwe-elect to protect the mandate of Oba people and the sanctity of Oba culture , customs and tradition”  they stated.