Shocks and surprises in Umuaka as Agunechemba declares for councillorship.
4 min read
The political atmosphere in Njaba LGA last week was totally agog with diverse opinions as Uba Umuaka born controversial politician and a chieftain of All Peoples Congress APC,, High Chief Eddy Ikwubuo, the Agunechemba Njaba surprisingly picked the APC expression of interest form for the councillorship position to represent Umuaka Ward 1 in Njaba LGA. Last week, the picture of Chief Ikwubuo flanked by some APC chieftains in Umuaka Ward 1 went viral when he obtained the APC expression of interest form.
The main topic that dominated the political atmosphere and social gatherings last week in Umuaka was based on what informed the decision of High Chief Ikwubuo to vie for councillorship after he had served the people of Njaba on a bigger capacity as the chairman of the same local council.
A couple of weeks ago, the Agunechemba Njaba shared some voice messages on different digital platforms on the internet where he was appealing to the people of Njaba to support him in his campaign to regain his truncated mandate to complete his tenure as the chairman of the local council which was cut short by a former Imo governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. The sudden decision of High Chief Ikwubuo to descend to being a mere councilor came as a shock to many political observers in the community. Critics described his action as not only a wrong move but a deep expression of his insatiable love for power.
Political observers who spoke to Umuaka Times last week confirmed that Ward 1 which is made up of Achara, Obinwanne and Uba communities zoned the councillorship to Achara. Based on the unwritten agreement of zoning the position to Achara, Chief Okey Nwanyanwu (the Akurulo Umuaka) and a member of APC and Miss Stella Onumara, both from Achara picked the APC form to run for the same position Agunechemba Umuaka has indicated his interest to run for.
Some voice messages Umuaka Times came across last week concerning the emergence of Agunechemba, seriously complained that it was wrong of him to vie for the position at this critical stage which is the turn of Achara community. In the communiqué issued by the high profile politician after obtaining the form last week, reads thus: “History is made earlier yesterday as Hon High Chief Dr Eddy Chidi Ikwubuo (AGUNECHEMBA NJABA), declares his interest as he presented the Expression Interest Form and Nomination Form to the Leaders and good people of Umuaka Ward One, the Municipal Ward, to be elected as Honourable Councilor in the forthcoming LGA election.”
While reacting to the storm of conflicting opinions that greeted his emergence last week, High Chief Ikwubuo disclosed his intentions in a couple of voice notes he sent to Umuaka Times. Ikwubuo borrowed the title of a book, “Why We Struck” written by Major Ademoyega to drive home his points. He first described the truncation of his chairmanship tenure of Njaba LGA as injustice and went further to describe the then Imo governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who pulled the “trigger” as an emperor.
The Agunechemba Njaba described the old time zoning arrangement as an abrasion and went further to claim that if there was anything called zoning in Umuaka Ward 1, it would be the tenure of Obinwanne to represent the Ward. He further claimed that one Mr Ukachinwa and Hippo Ukajim have represented Achara community and spent three good years each. In conclusion, he disclosed that before he picked the form to run for the office of the councilor in Umuaka Ward 1, he consulted the leaders of his party in the concerned communities and they told him that the issue of zoning has not been officially concluded. If this is anything to go by, High Chief Ikwubuo may be justified for the political move he has just made.
In trying to pass his message, High Chief Ikwubuo first announced that he is currently the Government Liaison Officer in Umuaka which is lower than being a counselor. He made this remark while addressing those who said that he was descending very low to run for the office. He acknowledged that all the persons who came out for the electoral position as good fellows but went on to describe himself as the only person among them who has the capacity to properly get things for the Ward.
High Chief Ikwubuo allegedly stated that about 100 million Naira has entered into the account of Njaba South Development Centre which is occupied by a citizen of Achara. He wondered why there is no possible structure where the money was spent.
His achievements as a former chairman of Njaba LGA, were the next issue he discussed. He told his audience that he attracted the former President Jonathan and the then governor of Imo State to Umuaka to commission a road project. He also disclosed that he built two structures of 18 room office at the LG headquarters. He created the anti-kidnapping squad in the entire Njaba community. He also claimed that he employed 600 widows in the LGA and graded all the roads in the LGA within his tenure of 7 months.
Ikwubuo described himself as a man with an executive experience and he has acquired the experience to move the community forward. He assured his listeners that he will effectively represent them in all capacities if eventually elected.
For now the politically atmosphere in Njaba is totally charged and next smart moves on the chess board of Njaba local politics are highly expected. Who will make the next move and who blinks first? Agunechemba Njaba or others? Next week ga adikwe kpoo kpoo in Umuaka Ward 1.
