Ojoto Youths Protest Town Union Election, Allege Rigging
By Olaedo Akwaugo
The youths of Ojoto community in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State on Tuesday, 9th April protested against the outcome of the town union election conducted on Saturday, 6th April.
The youths numbering about 200 in a protest which began at the junction of the LGA headquarters down to St Paul’s Catholic Church, called for state Government’s urgent intervention.
They appealed to the state government to annul the said community election which, according to them, was manipulated and, therefore, breached the constitution of the town.
They complained that the Ojoto Akanasato Union election which was held at the community Hall was inconclusive as the office of the Vice President and Secretary of the union were not contested for as some of the candidates were disqualified without genuine reasons.
The President of the Ojoto Akanasato Union (OAU), Youth Wing, Mr Samuel Mbanefo, said that although they accepted results for other positions, they would not accept that of the Deputy President-General and Secretary because they were flawed.
According to the youth leader, “The issue of the Secretary and Vice President was selection and not election and the youths of Ojoto are saying no to such action, we need free and fair election and not selection. The disqualified candidates didn’t commit any crime, rather, they are bonafide sons of Ojoto and are qualified to contest for the election and be elected”.
“We asked why were they disqualified but the government officials that came and conduct the election refused to tell us. We won’t accept that. We say no to imposition! We are demanding for fresh election so that we can choose the best ourselves. Let no one decide for us,” he stated.
Contributing, Mr Nonso Anazodo, Maduaburochukwu Nnoruka, and Mr Chibuike Efegi, said they do not subscribe to violence in achieving their results but they want justice to prevail because every native of Ojoto was qualified to vie for town union positions.
Also, Mr Uchenna Agwuncha and the Transitional Councillor, Hon Afoma Ubakaeze, confirmed that the manner the election was conducted was wrong and unacceptable to the youths of the community, and pleaded with Governor Charles Soludo, and the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, to intervene and conduct a new election where the interest of every candidate will be considered.
Efforts to reach the President General of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Barr Titus Akpudo for reactions proved abortive as of time of filing this report
