There’s a looming crisis in Imeoha community, Nkerefi in Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State over the conduct of the election to elect the president general of the Town Union.
Journalist101 gathered that the purported election which took place on Saturday, 11th May, 2024 was contravention to the directive from the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftaincy Affairs.
The ministry had in a letter dated 9th of May, 2024, directed the Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr. Patrick Orjiakor Njoku to suspend the election.
The letter which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, was in response to the “invitation to observe the Imeoha development Union” election by the electoral committee.
“Recall your mail to the Ministry, dated 23rd April, 2024, inviting us to come and observe the election of your Town Union, which was schedule for the 11th May, 2024.
“The Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, has directed that the election be put on hold pending when pre-election meeting is conducted with your Community Stakeholders to ascertain your preparedness towards the conduct of the election and to avert crisis in your Community,” the letter read.
Our correspondent also learnt that the position of the ministry might not be unconnected to a protest/complain letter by Ezinaogu Ishi Nkerefi Clan of Imeoha Autonomous Community against the their Igwe, while asking the ministry to come to their aide to ensure that their clan doesn’t suffer unjustly.
The letter which was signed by the trio of Augustine Okoro, Abel Nwigwe and Denies Nkwo reads:
“We the Ezinaogu Ishi Nkerefi Clan of Imeoha Autonomous Community Nkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government, Enugu state, humbly bring this complain against our traditional ruler and his co-hort who has been using his money power and his connection to intimidate and suppress us.
“In Imeoha autonomous community, we have two Clans, now we planned to conduct election for the town union this Saturday with only one clan living our own clan in the dark.
“According to our constitution, all the key positions are being shared by these two clans. Igwe is from the other clan, and he has selected only his men who are also from his own clan to be the new town union executives.
“However, we are vehemently protesting that such an autocratic rule should not happen in our land and we wish not to cause any blood shed because of this matter.
“Therefore, we appeal to you to use your good office to call Igwe Luke Ogbuta Okorie to order and ensure that the election did not hold forthwith pending when a peaceful resolution is reached for equity justice and fairness.”
When contacted, the Igwe of Imeoha, HRH, Igwe Luke Ogbuta Okorie and the Chairman of the electoral committee, Mr. Patrick Orjiakor Njoku said they’re not aware of any letter stopping the election and the election was conducted in line with their constitution.
The traditional ruler said if there was any such letter, he should be aware of it as the ministry has all his contacts and they can reach him anytime to communicate such development.
However, when contacted, the Director, Town Union, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Queendaline Odike said all efforts made to reach the chairman of the electoral committee to come and collect the letter failed as he never picked his call nor responded to the SMS directing him to come and pick the letter.
