On Igwe Emelobe’s mandate we stand, Oba community tells Anambra lawmakers
...Urge Soludo to issue him Certificate of Recognition
By Aloysius Attah
People of Oba community in Idemili South council area of Anambra State have told members of the Anambra State House of Assembly to use their position as lawmakers to facilitate the immediate issuing of certificate of recognition to their Igwe –Elect, Engr Augustine Chiedu Emelobe as the Eze Okpoko II of Oba .
People of the community stormed the premises of the State House of Assembly Awka last Thursday in solidarity for HRM Igwe Augustine C. Emeolobe who was elected as their new traditional ruler on 21st December 2024 but have been summoned to appear before the House Committee on Public Petitions alongside 6 others following a petition by Prince Noel Ezenwa, son of the demised Eze Okpoko 1 of Oba and erstwhile Regent of the Town who alleged that Emelobe has been parading himself as the traditional ruler of Oba when his election did not follow the due process of the law..
But the people of the community in an overwhelming majority said they followed the laid down constitution of Oba Town Union in electing their new traditional ruler and pointed out that it is only 6 persons in Oba for their own selfish reasons that have opposed the election and have been orchestrating various actions including instigating the government to truncate the choice of the people.
Those who staged the solidarity march for Emelobe bore placards bearing different inscriptions like "There is absolute peace in Oba", "Oba women, men, and youth support Igwe Engr AC Emelobe", " Oba has elected their king", " Oba has moved on with their Igwe elect, "Oba “Oba is in safe hands under Igwe Emelobe” “No more Regency in Oba” “Oba does not want interim king/ town union” “Oba women support Engr Emelobe”, “Governor Soludo please give Certificate of Recognition to Emelobe” etc.
Addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting with House of Assembly Committee on Public Petitions, Hon (Barr) Chuba Oranusi, one of legal practitioners representing Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), which conducted the election that produced Igwe (Engr) (Sir ) Chinedu Emelobe as Eze Okpoko II of Oba, said the election followed due process.
"That letter directing the cancellation never got to the president general of OPU until the 23/12/24, two days after the election. But the fact is that I was part of the delegation on the 16th of December who went and informed the Commissioner for Local Government , Chieftaincy and Community Affairs that Oba had fixed an election for Thursday 19th following an emergency general meeting on 13th of December.
"Then in the meeting with the Commissioner, he advised us to shift it to Saturday 21st in order that he and staff of the ministry might be present, and as such, won’t disenfranchise Oba natives who are civil servants. On 17th, we held another Extra-ordinary General meeting which countered the earlier motion to hold election on 19th and shifted to 21st. This was communicated to the commissioner accordingly.
Barr Oranusi maintained that what guides the election of Igwe is the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, which never said the State Government will observe but rather should be informed about the election.
"Thus, the community will conduct an election and produce an Igwe, and then present the person to the State Government through the local government council for recognition." He stated.
For Apostle Sunday Chukwuanu, former Asst Secretary Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), two candidates qualified for the Igweship election, Chief Barr Vincent Ananti from Isu quarters while Engr (Sir) Augustine Chinedu Emelobe qualified from Okuzu quarters.
"Chapter 16 of OPU constitution provides that the two candidates must come for an election at the Oba centre.
"On the election day proper, out of 1187 accredited voters, Engr Emelobe scored 1135 votes while his opponent Chief Barr Vincent Ananti had 20 votes. We had invalid votes of 32.
"All their allegations of the opposition, have no bases. They are asking government to introduce interim town union government in a community where there was an election conducted that produced the president general. According to our Constitution, the PG will announce vacancy in the Igwe throne, which has been vacant since 2018.
"The nine village quarters in Oba has given Offor title to the king. For now, there is no case that can stop our Igwe from being given the certificate of recognition."
Also speaking, a former Speaker ,Anambra State House of Assembly and legal adviser to the town Union, Rt Hon Emeka Anyaenetu expressed displeasure over the actions of the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government. He said the only condition for the people of Oba to have another election for a traditional ruler is when the election is done accordance with the constitution of Oba and to take effect from the point when Govt said they should stop and not to start the process afresh.
Addressing the solidarity protesters, the Chairman House of Assembly committee on Public Petitions, Hon Barr Obi Nweke commended the people of Oba for their orderly conduct and said the process to elect new Igwe should be followed since it is the government that issues the elected Igwe with a certificate of recognition
"The position of the House of Assembly is very clear. There is a process you must follow to elect Igwe. The government should send a representative on Election Day. The government ought to be carried along because it will give you certificate of recognition. A popular candidate is a popular candidate no matter the number of times that election was conducted"
But the oldest Ichie in the area who was installed since 1981, Ichie Samuel Chukwuemeka Onuchukwu said any conduct of another election in Oba is a rape of Igbo tradition, which the community cannot condone.
"An Igwe has been elected in the person of Engr. Augustine Emelobe and he has been given an authority (crown and Ofo) according to the tradition. On 30th of December 20224, he was taken to the traditional ground and was given the Ofo by the nine village quarters in Oba, now waiting for government to give him certificate of recognition.
"For House of Assembly committee on Public Petitions to contemplate for the conduct of another election, the tradition and custom spells it out that until this man is dead, this ofo cannot be withdrawn from him. Oba people have made their choice and that choice stands in the person of Engr. Augustine Emelobe as their traditional ruler” he stated.
