By Daniel Obagha
Ifite-Anam autonomous community in Anambra West LGA have elected Sunday Ozoemena of Umuonuora, Mmiata Anam as their new traditional ruler.
Four contestants, Chief Donatus Mbanefo Obadiegwu, Hon Fidelisuma Nneli Malive, Chief Christopher Melikam Okonkwo and Chief Sunday Udoji Ozoemena participated in the election.
Out of 200 votes cast, Sunday Ozoemena scored 94 votes to beat his closest rival, Chief Okonkwo who scored 71 votes. Chief Obadiegwu got 25 votes while Hon Fidelisuma scored two votes. Eight votes were invalid.
Chief Ozoemena while speaking with newsmen promised to work for creation of four autonomous communities from Ifite-Anam.
” Ifite-Anam autonomous community comprises four distinct towns: Umundeze, Umuonuora, Umuoba Abegbu and Iyiora so it’s too big for one Igwe to handle.
” We need the four autonomous communities to be effectively handled by one Igwe”, Igwe Ozoemena said.
The Igwe elect also emphasised that he will help mechanise the system of agriculture in his kingdom.
“Anam as a whole is the food basket of Anambra State but our people still use machetes and hoe to do farming. So we need to boost our farming methods by forming cooperative societies and using machines to do our farming,” the Igwe said.
He also said that he will focus on reviving cultural heritage of Ndi Anam and promoting science education in the primary and secondary schools in his kingdom.
The member representing Anambra West LGA in the Anambra State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy matters, Hon Patrick Udoba observed the election with his team and expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the election
“I thank the electoral committee for the peaceful conduct of the election. It strengthens our democratic principles.
“I congratulate chief Sunday Ozoemena, on his victory as Igwe-elect of Ifite Anam autonomous community. I strongly believe that his victory is a testament to his immense contributions to the welfare of the community. I pray that God gives him more wisdom to lead his people well,” Hon Udoba said.
Commissioner for Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon TonyCollins Nwabunwanne represented by Mr Mgbike Ikechukwu expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the election.
“We are satisfied with the outcome of the election. It was peaceful, fair and transparent. We thank the electoral committee for doing a good job,” Hon Nwabunwanne said.
President General of Ifite-Anam autonomous community, Chief Cyprian Chukwujekwu Ofordile praised the electoral committee for doing a good job. He promised to work with the new Igwe.
Ifite-Anam autonomous community went to polls on Saturday to elect their new traditional ruler to succeed their late Igwe HRH, Igwe Sylvester Nnose who did his last ofala festival on 22nd April, 2025.
- Obagha is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
