… Says rotation rules should be upheld
By Onyinyechi Nwankwo
The people of Umudim in Umuowa community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State have begged Governor Hope Uzodimma to quickly prevail on his brother, Ferdinand Uzodimma, who happens to be the Chief of Staff and General Services Government Owerri, to stop meddling into the Councillorship Seat of Umuzike/Umuowa Ward to avoid breakdown of law and order at the area.
The people of Umudim alleged that Ferdinand Uzodimma is using his power as Governor’s brother and Chief of Staff and General Services to truncate the existing orderly rotation of Councillorship among the 5 villages or divisions that make up Umuzike/Umuowa Ward by imposing his in-law, Ichie Livinus Nnadi (Abo-ahia), to occupy the exalted Councillorship Position knowing fully well that it is not the turn of Umuojinma village to produce Councillor based on rotation arrangement.
They regretted that they sent a delegation to Ichie Livinus Nnadi who told him of the need to firmly abide by the zoning arrangement rules of Umuzike/Umuowa Ward Councillorship Position to avoid crisis, but he bluffed and refused to withdraw his aspiration.
The people who spoke through the Chairman of Umudim General Assembly, Mr. Felix Onwumere, appealed to the Governor to urgently intervene, caution his brother to hand off from the Councillorship of Umuzike/Umuowa so that Umudim enjoys its turn in accordance to the rotation arrangement rules.
Onwumere observed that the zoning arrangement of Umuzike/Umuowa Ward Councillorship was made over the years by the Town Union of these communities, saying no division or village has violated the rules and that the rules remain sacrosanct to enable the minority get fair share in government and politics.
“We, the people of Umudim in Umuowa community, are calling on our amiable Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is very kind, truthful and believes deeply in justice, to intervene in our political affairs by asking his brother, Ferdinand Uzodimma, to hand off from the Councillorship of Umuzike/Umuowa, allow the rotation arrangement rules to prevail as to avoid breakdown of law and order”, they maintained.
Reiterating that the zoning arrangement has been working perfectly until the Chief of Staff and General Services to the Governor interfered, the people of Umudim wondered why Ferdinand would use his position and power to truncate an existing Councillorship rotation.
“All pleas made by us through a delegation fell on deaf ear as Ichie Livinus Nnadi, has continued in his canny and underserved Councillorship aspiration, with his brother-in-law, Ferdinand, using his power to propel the APC Ward Chairman to give him ticket during primary election.
“Umudim should be allowed to produce Councillor of Umuzike/ Umuowa Ward in the forthcoming Imo Council Elections if justice and equity are to be justified. This is our plea to the Governor hence our crave for his quick intervention.
“As truth cannot be hidden nor murdered, Umuojinma people had unanimously resolved in a meeting that it is the turn of Umudim to go to the Legislative Council in 2024 having believed strongly in fairness and equality”, Onwumere stressed.
Reassuring the Governor of their continued support, the people of Umudim urged the people’s Governor to look inwards and caution his brother against hijacking the Councillorship Seat from them as it is their rightful turn.
