The National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Barrister Titus Akpudo, has praised the state government for its initiatives to maintain peace in Anambra communities, with a specific focus on Eziowelle in Idemili North Local Government Area.
Barr. Akpudo extended his commendations to the Commissioner for Local Governments, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. TonyCollins Nwabunwanne, for effectively implementing the state government’s peace agenda in Eziowelle.
These commendations come in response to a recent publication by certain Eziowelle residents accusing the Local Government Commissioner of bias in handling the community’s affairs, particularly concerning the town union election scheduled for June 29, 2024.
Barrister Akpudo, who also serves as the President General of the Eziowelle Improvement Union (EIU), highlighted the government’s significant efforts to bring various factions within the community to a common ground for the peaceful conduct of the election. Despite these efforts, some individuals have shown reluctance to embrace peace, insisting that the election must proceed as planned with the support of the government and the majority of the community.
Chief Nnamdi Akukwe, Chairman of the Eziowelle Improvement Union, Port Harcourt Branch, criticized those opposing Akpudo, accusing them of not genuinely being interested in amending the town’s constitution but rather aiming to seize leadership for personal gain.
After a second meeting between Eziowelle stakeholders and Mr. Nwabunwanne, Chief Akukwe commended the state government’s inclusive approach to resolving the community’s issues. He lamented that critics of the Commissioner would not voice their disagreements during meetings but would later distort the narrative under external influence.
Addressing allegations regarding flaws in the 1992 constitution amendment of the EIU that led to the 2020 edition, Chief Akukwe noted that opponents who lost in the election that re-elected Akpudo have been boycotting town union meetings and refused to participate in the amendment process. He questioned whether the community’s affairs should be stalled due to the selfish interests of a few individuals.
Chief Akukwe described Barrister Akpudo as a wise and restrained leader who has excelled in his role as PG of Eziowelle and urged the dissenters to allow him to organize the scheduled election and step down.
Supporting this, the Palace Secretary of the community, Chief Jerry Anyaegbu, and the Youth Leader of Eziowelle, Mr. Emeka Okoye-Ozor, expressed their dismay at the few individuals obstructing peace. They urged the community to support the election process and maintain Eziowelle’s reputation for peace.
Mr. Okoye-Ozor specifically advised the youth and community members to conduct themselves peacefully, emphasizing that the town union election would proceed as planned.
