Ishiuba Ojinnaka Remains Ndegwu Eze-elect - Council Boss, Victor Osigwe

 

The executive chairman of Owerri West Local Government Area, Chief Victor Osigwe has countered the recent resolution of the State House of Assembly claimed to have nullified the Ezeship election of Ndegwu Community unanimously won by the former Managing Director of the Guinea Insurance Plc. Dr. Nicholas Ishiuba Ojinnaka. 

Osigwe who was a witness to the said election expressed dissapointment at the resolution of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy matters chaired by honourable Ikechukwu Udeze representing Ideato North and having the Majority Leader, Kanayo Onyemaechi from Owerri West as member. 

The council chairman speaking to newsmen on the matter described the resolution of the committee as "rubish" while insisting that Ojinaka remains the Eze-elect of Ndegwu community having won the election and added that he personally recognised him after the people of Ndegwu presented him at the council headquarters. 

He also kicked against the no autonomous community no Eze-elect as directed by the committee. As a matter of fact he noted that over forty communities are still waiting to gain their autonomy yet have eze-elects. 

Speaking on the resolution "Osigwe said "That thing is nonsense ,it can't work. Ishiuba was in my function on Sunday ,i introduced him as the Eze-elect of Ndegwu in the presence of the Majority leader,Kanayo Onyemaechi. 

"That thing they are doing is rubish, after the election the people of Ndegwu presented their Eze-elect to us for recognition and we have duely recognised him and written to the appropriate quarters and nobody has questioned that, the committee does not have such powers to nullify the election,they dont have the jurisdiction are they tribunals ". 

He also argued that the matter should have been brought to the plenary for proper resolution but expressed surprised it was handled closed door.

"They should have done that at the plenary but they did not because they are afraid many of the members may oppose it. 

"It's not a must that a community would gain an autonomous status before having Eze-elect . In my place, Umuguma we are fighting for two autonomous communities till now we've not gotten it but we have two Eze-elects". 

"Irete has the same problem,they have Eze-elect likwise other communities in the State why didn't they stop their Eze-elects from parading themselves ". 

"The decision of the house committee is ultra vires , unconstitutional and actionable. Digging into the Ndegwu Ezeship election conducted peacefully since November 5th 2022 is outside the scope of their authority. Let truth be told for once". Osigwe lamented. 

Some individuals in the community under the aegis of the Concerned Citizens had allegedly petitioned the State Assembly on the authenticity of Ishiuba parading himself as the Eze-elect of Ndegwu which prompted the House to arrive at the controversial decision. 

The resolution since passed to the community has generated a lot of controversy resulting to heated arguments and quarrels, however a quick intervention by Ojinaka has calmed the situation. 

He enjoined the youths especially to remain calm and law abiding and not to usurp the efforts commenced for the attainment of full autonomy for the community.