By Praise Chinecherem
Some Stakeholders of Ifitedunu community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on Governor Chukuma Soludo to wade into leadership tussle tearing the community apart in order to avert an imminent crisis in the area.
A prominent stakeholder in the community, Chief Vincent Udobi who accused the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon Collins Nwabuwane of bias over his preferred choice of the President General of Ifitedunu town union made the call after emergency general assembly where Chief Chukwudi Anene was appointed as the President General of the community under the supervision of the Board of trustees of Ifitendunu town union.
He said the decision to impeach the erstwhile President General Chief Uchenna Nwoye was reached by the board of trustees of the town union and Chairmen of its five villages namely Obiezie, Ugbomili, Ákwá, Umualugo, Uguala, after several attempts to draw the commissioners attention to his criminal record.
According to him, despite presenting credible evidence of conviction of Chief Nwoye from a Federal High court in Awka on charges of cyber crime and other related offenses to the commissioner, he was reluctant to stop recognizing Mr Nwoye as the President General of the community even when the town constitution clearly stated that an ex convict is unfit to hold the office of the PG.
He said, “People have been saying a lot about the commissioner, particularly about being biased, so we are calling on Gov Soludo to investigate our complaints laid before the commissioner, because I dont know why he should be defending an ex convict who is unfit to be the PG of Ifitendunu as clearly expressd in our constitution.
“The commissioner is not an interpreter of law but a mouth piece of the executive arm of government of Prof Charles Soludo
“So telling us that Nwoye who was convicted for a criminal offence but granted bail on health grounds, despite his recent appeal is not an ex convict even after we have rejected him as our PG on constitutional grounds is questionable.
“We are in a very big problem caused by the commissioner. So let the governor look into this matter. I am not against him being friends with the forme PG but he can’t jeopardize the peace and development of our community in the name of friendship with Uchenna Nwoye.”
Corroborating his claim a one time President General and present Chairman board of trustees of the community Chief Samuel Nweke said the emergence of a new PG was long over due, following the series of calmities that has engulfed the community since he handed over power to his successor.
“Since Nwoye took over from me, he is like a virus in the community, we have never had peace but the bigger problem is the commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs Hon Collins Nwabuwane.
“Trouble started when the former PG was reinstated as the PG by the commissioner and even after we lodged a report of how the PG masterminded some thugs who went on rampage sometime ago which led to the death of a member of the community, the commissioner said he couldn’t sack him as PG beacuse of his relationship with Nwoye whom he described as a bossom friend”
Responding, the embattled PG Chief Nwoye maintained that his conviction has been challenged at a Federal High court of appeal after being granted bail and as such he was innocent until proven guilty under the eyes of the law.
He also explained that contrary to insinuations concoted by his detractors, the constitution of Ifitedunu town union clearly stated that the impeachment of a PG required a majority vote of two third of the community in a general assembly convoked by the PG.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed PG of Ifitendunu Chief Chukwudi Anene has harped on the need for a comprehensive investigation and report on the construction of blocks of shops in Nkwo Ifitedunu market after a decision was taken by the Town union to stop the work at the at site following concerns raised on behalf of the community.
He further called on members of the community to come together regardless of their affiliations and make Ifitedunu community great once again.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Local Govt and Chieftaincy Affairs for comments proved abortive as at time of filing this report.
