Peace returns to Abia community as Eze-elect emerges after plebiscite
The tussle for the traditional stool of the Nkwoachara autonomous community in Umuahia North Local Governments Area of Abia State has come to an end, as Okechukwu Nwaubani, has emerged as the eze-elect of the community.
His emergence has, therefore, brought back the peace which seems to have eluded the community after months of tussling for the ezeship.
Nwaubani emerged from a keenly-contested plebiscite between him and Bishop Nwandu Onuoha, conducted by the officials of the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Umuahia North Local Government Area staff.
South-East PUNCH reports that there had been intense tussle over the succession to the stool among the four component villages of Umuire, Umunkaru, Umuyota and Umuaram, after the death of its late traditional ruler, Eze D. N. Okezie, and after Umuawa Alaocha, Opara na Nkaru and Orieamaenyi autonomous communities were carved out of the autonomous community.
Following a rowdy plebiscite, a mediator and the member representing Umuahia North at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Chinasa Kanu, decided to use a direct election, where Bishop Onuoha and his Umuire community refused to participate.
At the end of the voting by the remaining three villages of Umunkaru, Umuyota and Umuaram, the contestant, Okechukwu Nwaubani won all the 90 votes cast.
Reacting after being declared the eze-elect, Nwaubani expressed his happiness over the victory, stating, “I am happy that I was elected after three months of ups and downs. Today, all these ups and downs have been laid to rest. I equally thank my brothers who were my opponents for a good fight.”
He promised that he would do more to uplift the course of the youths, adding, “I will lead my youths to survival.”
However, his main opponent, Bishop Onuoha has vowed to contest the victory of Nwandu in the court.
