Tony Okafor,Awka
OGI calls for transparent elections in Oba, condemns independent candidacy
Oba Global Initiative (OGI) has called for peaceful elections in the community slated for December 31,2023.
This was contained in the group’s press statement signed by Dr Obiora Anyoku(Chairman, Board of Trustees) and Mr Nwanne Ejikeme(Coordinator
Oba Global Initiative)
Our correspondent gathered that Oba Global Initiative (OGI) is an Association of Oba indigenes living in Nigeria, United States of America, United Kingdom and Ireland, Southern Africa, European Union and other parts of the world with the mission of promoting peace and development in Oba through advocacy and interventions.
In the press statement OGI said,”Our members, and indeed all well-meaning people of Oba, are deeply concerned over the unfolding events in our dear town following the appointment of an Interim Town Union Government (ITUG) for Oba on April 1st 2023 by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.”
The group maintained that the ITUG had the following terms of reference: i. The Interim Town Union Government will take critical steps to reconcile the different factions in the community and restore the spirit of oneness for a more unified peaceful co-existence in the community.
ii. To put in place, a structure that will ensure acceptability and prepare grounds for the successful conduct of election into the executive positions of Oba Patriotic Union by December 2023, which must be observed by officials from the State and Local Government amongst others.
iii. The Interim Town Union Government will function for a few months from 1st of April, 2023 to 31st December, 2023 when election will be conducted in line with the Community’s Constitution of Oba Patriotic Union.
THE OGI STATEMENT FURTHER READS:
The ITUG mandate is therefore specific, clear and achievable within the time frame given to it by the Government. Ordinarily the Oba Patriotic Union (OPU) Executive election should be a breeze given the rotational arrangement entrenched in the OPU Constitution and the precedents over the years. In this present election cycle, the office of the President-General is zoned to Umuogali Zone while the office of the Secretary-General is zoned to Isu Zone. Similarly, other offices are zoned to different Zones. This constitutional arrangement is to ensure equity and inclusiveness. The OPU Executive election is scheduled to hold on December 31st 2023 and, as a prelude to this, schemes have been reportedly hatched by individuals and groups with vested interests to ensure that their preferred candidate emerges as the President-General. In view of these unfolding events in Oba, the OGI deems it necessary to address this press conference at this time:
1. The OGI hereby call on all indigenes to respect and abide by the OPU Constitution, particularly the zoning arrangement entrenched in it and, to desist from interfering or tampering with the candidate selection processes in the Zones. The Zones should have a free hand to select their preferred candidates for the offices zoned to them by the OPU Constitution.
2. The OGI condemn all attempts by certain individuals, groups and agencies to nominate or sponsor ‘independent’ candidates to compete with candidates that have been democratically chosen by the Zones. The spirit and letter of the OPU Constitution do not envisage ‘independent’ candidates therefore; the prerogative of the Zones to select their preferred candidates through a democratic process and in accordance with the OPU Constitution should be respected.
3. The OGI recognizes that, in accordance with the OPU Constitution, offices are zoned to Zones and not to individuals. Therefore, the Zones reserve full prerogative to select one of their own to serve the tenure zoned to it without interference from persons or groups outside the Zones.
4. The OGI is of the candid opinion that Section 20. 3(a) of the OPU Constitution which states that “a Candidate for election to an office shall obtain a nomination form and be nominated by two members from two financially up-to-date Umunna” refers to the Umunna within the Zone to which an office has been zoned. In other words, the two members who may nominate a candidate must come from two financially up-to-date Umunna within the Zone and not from any Umunna outside the Zone.
5. The OGI calls on all indigenes of Oba, especially the ITUG and all other groups to give unqualified support and cooperation to the OPU Executive Electoral Committee in order to ensure a peaceful and successful election.
6. The OGI calls on security, governmental and non-governmental agencies assigned to the OPU election to handle their election duties professionally and impartially in order to ensure a seamless election.
7. The OGI urges the OPU Executive Electoral Committee and the Returning Officer to conduct a transparent, free and fair OPU election whose outcome will reflect the will of a majority of the people of Oba so as to avoid rancor and to restore normalcy in the administration of the town.
8. Finally, the OGI implores individuals, groups or agencies connected either directly or indirectly with this upcoming election process to please adhere to the rules and laid down guidelines and be mindful of the fact that any attempt to rig or manipulate this OPU election could lead to a breakdown of law and order in Oba and we hereby call on all well-meaning people of Oba to resist and thwart any such attempt.
