By Juliana Nwachukwu
In playing her constitutional role as per forth schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended and Anambra State Local Government Administration Law 2024, the Onitsha South Local Government on November 20, has monitored the election of 9 Man Committee Executive to pilot the affairs of Emodi Shoe Dealers Association, Ochanja Market in Fegge, Onitsha South LGA, Anambra State.
The election, which has 204 accredited voters with option A4 was monitored by the House Leader of the Legislative Council of the area, Hon. Regina Udeogalanya, House Committee on Markets, Hon. Chidi Ogbuagu, who is also the Councillor representing Fegge ward l in the Local Government legislative Council, security operatives and others.
The elected Exco members were, Hon Okwudili Anigbogu, Chairman, who won with a large margin of 165 votes against 39 votes by his opponent Ejike Okafor,; Vice Chairman, Obinna E.Nnobia –141 votes against 65 votes by Ikechukwu Egwim.
Secretary, Eziekwe Celestine Ifeanyi,137 votes against 31 by Emeka Nwachukwu; Anthony Ohanasiobi, Ass Secretary with 145 votes, unopposed; Financial Secretary, Alexander Ani with 121 votes against 15 votes by Okwor Albert Ifeanyi.
Others were Prince Joseph Onuoha, Provost 2, 95 votes against 16 votes by Okeke Izuchukwu Daniel, Provost 1, Nwafor Ikechukwu John with 104 votes against 32 votes by Chibuike Anominih, Public Relation Officer, PRO, Ikechukwu Nnalue, 86 votes against 19 votes by Umeh Jude Okwudili and Treasurer, Chibugo Ifeanyi, 125 votes against 28 votes by Egeonu Odinaka.
In his swearing in speech immediately after the election, the Local Government Legal Adviser, Barr. Stanley Okafor said: “I am using the power given to the local government in schedule 4 of the Nigerian constitution which is entrusted on the Mayor of the Local government Authority, I hereby inaugurate you as the people that will lead ESDA till the next four years, so you are hereby inaugurated”.
In his words, the Local Government Secretary, Paul Onuachalla Esq, said that the new exco’s leadership starts with immediate effect, adding that it is now the duty of the outgone chairman to be disclosing all the necessary documents gradually to the new executive till December 5.
The Electoral Committee Chairman of the Union, Mr. Unanah J. Obiora said in an interview with Newsmen that he promised them free, fair and credible elections right from the first day, adding that it was exactly what he has done.
On the challenges during the electioneering period of the union, he said, “We are all traders, atimes some human factors are mostly inevitable in such gatherings, it wasn’t an easy task trying to gather them together, to stand on the lines”.
He commended the Electoral Committee members and the Mayor of the Local Government, Hon Chief Emeka Orji for their relentless efforts in making sure that this very election came to pass.
The newly elected Chairman, Hon. Anigbogu, in an interview said that he would try his best in restoring peace and unity in the union, saying that a lot of things have been going on which he would try to correct in order to achieve law and order in the union.
Juliana is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
