By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo.
The Executives of All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA in Aguleri will conduct an internal election for Anambra East local government TC Chairman today.
The Election will take place at Okpala hall Ivite Aguleri by 12 pm.
it is observed that the major contenders are Chief Emmanuel Chikeluo Ogugua from Eziagulu Otu Aguleri and Chief Chike Okoye Stone from Enugwu Uno Aguleri while the third contender, Mr Innocent Nduanya has tendered a withdrawal letter from the race last night.
Governor Soludo has mandated the local government stakeholders across the 21 Local government Areas in Anambra State to nominate 3 candidates each for the position but due to some agitations from some wards in Anambra East that it should not be exclusively reserved for Aguleri, the stakeholders of Aguleri wards after a meeting decided to conduct the internal election and submit name of the winner to the party local government executive while the remaining two candidates would be nominated from other communities in Anambra East.
After today's election, Aguleri will submit the name of the winner between OKPOTO and OKADIGBO while Nando and other communities will submit the remaining two.
Conducting an internal election is not just the issue but the ability of the winner to scale through the final screening process, considering that majority of APGA stakeholders are rooting for Nando candidate. Their reason is that since the creation of Anambra East that no indigene of Nando has tested the Executive position of the local government and giving them such opportunity would pave way for future political alignments between Aguleri and Nando communities.
They are also of the view that if Aguleri man occupies the Executive position of the local government Area, that it would also affect the position of the current Commisioner for power and water resources which is assumed more profitable to the Aguleri community than position of local government chairman.
On the other hand, the supporters of Aguleri candidate are insisting on the need of the Anambra East APGA to maintain her zoning formula which according to them, has been their modus operandi since inception.
According to a message circulating in social media platforms, the group stated that It is on record that there are three (3) established zones in Anambra East:
Zone A-Aguleri 5 wards
Zone B- Umueri 3 wards and Nsugbe 2 wards
Zone C- Igbariam ward,Nando 3 wards and Umuoba Anam ward respectively.
They stated further that there are two major positions that are normally shared to the three zones: Anambra State House of Assembly (SHOA ) and Local government Chairman.
They said that from the creation of Anambra East till date, Zone A has represented SHOA once in the person of Hon. Ossy Chinwuba for a period of 4 years.
"Zone B has represented us for 8 years in the person of Hon. Joe Isiagu from Umueri and Hon.Obiudu from Nsugbe"
"Zone C took 12 years in the person of Hon.Obinna Emeneka and currently Hon.Obi Nweke who is the current member Representing Anambra East".
"If you are to rate the numerical indices of the SHOA,You can agree that the equation is not yet balanced".
When you come to Chairmanship position of the Local government, both elected and transition under APGA, starting from Governor Peter Obi till date, we have the list below:
1.Hon.Asika zone B
2.Hon.Obidigwe zone A
3.Hon.Udeano zone B
4.Hon.Ifeadi zone B
5.Hon.Nweke zone C
6.Hon.Onuorah zone C
'With the above analysis, it is obvious that Aguleri Zone A deserves to be compensated with this upcoming TC appointment in Anambra East. Any body that is fighting it is doing that for his own selfish purpose".