By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Jubilation erupted yesterday, August 28, in Ogbor Autonomous Community, Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State, following the election of the community’s new Town Union Executives which saw Engr. Osborn Obi elected as the President General through option A4 process.
The election which recorded large turnout of indigines from the fourteen villages of the community at Ogbor Town School premises, followed a High Court ruling which dissolved factional leaderships led by Mr. Remigius Obi on one side and Mr. Ikechukwu Egbuziem on the other side.
Others who also emerged included: Hon. Anthony Nnanna (Vice-President), Mr. Anthony Madu (Secretary), Mr. Njoku Chibuike (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Ikenna Anozie (Financial Secretary), Evang. Christopher Okonkwo (Treasurer), Mr. Ugochukwu Nworka (Public Relations Officer), Mr. Chisom Akubundu (Provost I) and Mr. John Nwaebo (Provost II).
Addressing participants earlier following accreditations, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Hon. Chijioke Onyejiekwe, informed the voters that the election would follow option A4 process in order to ensure a democratic and transparent outcome. He urged them to conduct themselves peacefully and orderly.
In his acceptance speech, Engr. Osborn Obi expressed joy over his emergence as the new president general, thanking members of the community for finding him worthy to serve them in such high capacity. He thanked God for the successful election, noting that the outcome was in line with the prayers of the community for credible leadership.
Osborn, an indigene of Umuezeukwu Village, promised to reciprocate the love from Ogbor people by ensuring that the community experiences peace, unity and progress under his leadership. He pointed out that various needs of the community, including security, climate change response, human empowerment and business development would be addressed.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Dr. Mathew Onweni has charged the new town union leaders to prioritize the interest of the community in the discharge of their duties. He added that the the community has chosen them to work towards the promotion of peace, unity and development of Ogbor Community.
The royal father, who once served as Deputy Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, gave the admonition in his palace during the presentation of the new town union executives of the community. He maintained that the traditional institution in the community under his leadership, has accepted the choice of the people, and will only work with Engr. Osborn Obi’s leadership for the good of the area.
Eze Onweni, therefore prayed for the success of the new town union executives, while urging all the indigines of the area to support them succeed.
Reacting, some of the members of the community who spoke with our reporter, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the election monitored by security agents, the large turnout and the quality of those elected, expressing joy that the community will begin to experience peace and progress after long leadership crisis.
Some of the speakers included: Nze Basil Ndi (Vice-Chairman Umuonyene Village), Elder Levi Ginikanwa (Chairman, Umuede Village) and Hon. Emenalom Christian Ugochukwu (Umuchiaku Village) among others.
