By Our Correspondent
The traditional ruler of Alor Kingdom, Igwe Mac-Anthony Chinedu Elibe Okonkwo, has congratulated the newly elected Alor Youth President General, Conrad Okezie Akubueze. Igwe Okonkwo described Akubueze’s victory as a triumph for Alor, expressing his joy and stating that he is the happiest man in Alor today. He emphasized that the election victory serves as vindication against the deceptive propaganda spread by Alor’s adversaries, who claimed he could not secure even 1% of the votes in a free and fair election. Today’s electoral success, Igwe Okonkwo noted, disproves all these fallacies.
Igwe Okonkwo made these remarks when the newly elected youth PG and other executives paid a thank-you visit to his palace just a few hours after their victory.
On his part the President General of Alor People’s Convention Chief Emma Ojukwu said: ”This is to congratulate all the Youths of Alor who were elected today into various offices of the Youths Executive, especially the new Alor Youths leader.
On behalf of Alor people, I appreciate the peaceful conduct the Youths of Alor displayed today. I am SUPER proud of you guys. Also, I want to use this medium to thank the members of the Electoral Committee, particularly the Permanent Secretary~ (PS), Ministry of Youths Development, for the professionalism he brought to bear in this election.
This is a win-win for Alor, and a call for duty for the youths to assist the parent body, the Alor People’s Convention in the development of Alor.
In his reaction, Honorable Ossy Missilo Obiagwu, former Deputy General Manager of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Minister of Aviation, and a staunch supporter of Igwe Okonkwo, said: “The so-called 5%, the dot, the minority, the ‘blind, deaf, and dumb,’ those accused of ‘destroying Alor’ and ‘seeking stomach infrastructure’ have today defeated the ‘100%, the majority, the rich and mighty, the knowledgeable, the educated and learned, the shakers of society’ by 9 goals to nothing. I told them that the claims were unverifiable, and today I have been vindicated. The youths have spoken.”
He continued, “Out of the nine elective positions, from the Youth PG to the Welfare Officer, we won all in a landslide victory. The sweetest part of the victory is that the Electoral Committee used Option A4 to conduct the election, and the youths were bold to queue up behind their chosen candidates in full view of the propagandists, oppressors, and proponents of divide-and-rule tactics. The election was peaceful, credible, free, and fair. To God be all the glory.”
Chief Ossy Agbazue (Mmiri Alor), who represented the Igwe at the Saint Mary’s Field venue of the historic election, stated that the victory is Alor’s victory, emphasizing that it is Alor that has won. He also advised the youth PG to ensure peace returns to the town by checking the excesses of the parent body and ensuring that the right thing is done always. He urged all Alor indigenes to allow peace to reign in their beloved town. Those who accompanied Chief Agbazue to the venue included High Chief Chukwuemeka Ikegwuogu (Agujiegbe )Ichie Enyi n’Alor, High Chief Barry Ezukwu (Iyierioba Idemili), a member of Igwe Okonkwo’s cabinet, Chief Okechukwu Izugha (Ozo Ezeomeogo), and Honorable Chief Chuka Uzodike, the Alor Development Union Lagos vice chairman, who said: “Today we have been vindicated. I believe that the power of the youths will help Alor to regain her pride of place in the state and in Nigeria as a whole.”
Engr. Prince Ifedi Okonkwo, a consultant with the World Bank and Delta State government, celebrated the victory, stating, “What has just happened in ALOR is a REVOLUTION for Positive Change, and I commend the YOUTHS of ALOR for being the Catalysts for the much-desired Peace & Progress of ALOR!!”
The Good People of ALOR remain grateful to the Electoral Committee for courageously adopting Option A4 and diligently upholding transparency and fairness in the process to achieve an indisputable outcome. INEC needs to visit ALOR for Capacity Building!
The PRO of Alor Peoples Convention Chief M.C. Udoagwa said in his remark: Congratulations to the new leadership of Alor Youth.
I witnessed the election, and can affirm that the election was free, fair and credible.
The ALOR youth election took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Mary’s Parish Field with a remarkable turnout of young individuals eager to exercise their democratic rights. The election saw a total of six hundred (600) youths cast their votes for their preferred candidates across nine positions.
The newly elected PG declared that his victory marks the end of the divisive rhetoric of 95% against 5%, stressing that henceforth, no one should consider themselves more Alor than another, as all residents are united as Ndi-Alor. He promised to run an open and transparent administration, committed to fulfilling his campaign promises of closing divides and bringing unity, love, and empowerment to every Alorite, especially the youths.
Other elected officials along with the Youth PG include:Chukwudi Okoye, Vice President
Ubabunike Emecheta, Secretary
Oyudo Chijioke, Assistant Secretary
Nweke Anayo, Treasurer
Okoye Nonso, Publicity Secretary
Nwolisa Chimezie, Financial Secretary
Ojukwu Ikechukwu, Welfare Officer
Afuzo Kenechukwu, Provost
Rev. Innocent Chukwudi Peace, a media consultant and a member of the Alor Peace and Reconciliation Committee, remarked, “The victory in this election is more than just a political triumph; it is a significant milestone for the entire Alor community. It symbolizes a renewed hope and a unified vision for the future. The overwhelming support for Conrad Okezie Akubueze and his team demonstrates the collective desire of the youth to actively participate in shaping their community’s destiny.”
This election has shown that the voices of the youth are powerful and pivotal in driving change. With the newly elected leadership, there is a strong expectation that Alor will experience increased peace, progress, and unity. The commitment of the youth to uphold transparency and fairness sets a positive precedent for future elections and governance.
Overall, this election victory heralds a new era for Alor, where collaboration and collective effort will pave the way for sustainable development and prosperity. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Alor people and their unwavering dedication to building a better future for their community.
