The controversies that led to the conduct of elections for the Caretaker Committee members of Umukpo-Agwa community in Oguta LGA of Imo State for the second time in compliance with the Four-tier government of Governor Rochas Okorocha-led administration in Imo state, Nigeria has been resolved.
This development was as a result of the recent election re-run organized by the Special Adviser to the governor of the state on peace and conflict resolutions, Engr. Peter Ohagwa where Mr A. Elumezie emerged for the second tine as the caretaker chairman of Umukpo Community to oversee the affairs of the Community Development Council (CDC) of the 3rd largest community in Agwa, Oguta LGA.
Prior to the re-run election, Mr. A. Elumezie has already emerged among the five chairman and their secretaries that were from five kindreds, out of the seven that presently make up the community, not in any conflict during the presentation of candidates by various kindreds.
The elected members were duly sworn in to office by the caretaker chairman of Oguta LGA, Imo State at the council secretariat, as witnessed by the Oguta police D.P.O and Engr. Peter Ohagwa on the 11th of April, 2012 after the first election of 5th April, 2012.
It was surprising that an executive committee elected and sworn in by the local government council was said not to be recognized by some persons that were part of the first election during verification visit of some officials from the state.
It was shocking that Hon. Bernard, the council boss, was unable to handle this matter and hence referred it back to the office of S.A on Peace and Conflict Resolutions, who then used his wisdom and power conferred on him by the governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to ensure and sue for peace across all communities of the state who then had to re-do the election in his office, where Mr. Anthony Agwawuchi Elumezie came out victoriously as the caretaker committee chairman of his community, Umukpo-Agwa, for the second time, indicating that the hand of God was upon his choice and candidacy.
It might be of great interest and for the purpose of clarity to know that Mr. A. Elumezie the newly sworn in caretaker chairman of Umukpo-Agwa community was once elected by the entire people of Umukpo at Nkwo Umukpo square in 1996, to pioneer the affairs of Umukpo Development Union UDU home branch, where his administration was adjudged by the people as the most outstanding leadership the community had ever witnessed in the history of Umukpo and that of Ukwu Age Grade in the community before them.
Anthony had indeed contributed his quota in the government of Imo State, when he meritoriously served Oguta LGA, under its Board of Internal Revenue as a licence officer before his retirement.
He was the immediate past Acting chairman that conducted the election that ushered in the UDU administration of Mr. Cidus Obioha, before the recent introduction of the 4 tier government in the state.
Presently, Mr. A. Elumezie is the chairman of Umuiheoma Cooperative Union, the second largest kindred in Umukpo Agwa, where he had the opportunity of representing the kindred at the community level and subsequently became the caretaker chairman and also the chairman of Imo State Hunters Association, Agwa branch.
Because of his God given wisdom in making peace and his ability in good in representation, Mr. A. Elumezie was made chairman by the Parents Teachers Association, (PTA) of Umukpo Primary School, Agwa, and former chairman, Udo Club of Agwa. He is indeed worthy of any position, having worked tirelessly for the return of peace and order in Umukpo community. His is one of the first families to have returned and are on ground in the crisis-torn and deserted community of Umukpo, after the discovery of oil in the area, since 2008, when lives and property were lost.
Little wonder, the caretaker committee chairman of Umukpo Agwa, Oguta LGA, commended Governor Rochas Okorocha for the peace that is gradually returning in Umukpo, since the inception of his administration in the state and his appointment of Engr. Peter Ohagwa, through the creation of an office for peace and conflict resolution in the state.
Elumezie’s further commendation to the state governor was on the opportunity given to all the elected caretaker committee to serve the state and their various communities and promised above all, that he will not let his community and the government of Rochas Okorcha, Owelle Ndi Igbo down.
The return of peace in Umukpo community was a confirmation of the words of Engr. Ohagwa, while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on 16th November, 2011, that he had settled over 200 conflict cases in various communities of the state, since his assumption of office, on the occasion of awards conferment to his boss, Rochas Okorocha as an ambassador for peace and other awards by the United Nations POLAC Peace Programme.
Sent from Agwa, Imo State.
