By Dr Innocent Chidumebi Okonkwo.
The people of Mboko Village in Igboezunu Aguleri Community, of Anambra East Local Government Area in Anambra State have elected Mr John Omazu to pilot the affairs of the village for the next four years, Our Igboezunu Correspondent reports.
Mgboko village witnessed a wild jubilation after Mr Omazu was elected and declared winner by Aguleri community Assembly under the leadership of Barr Rolex Ifeanyi Iloakasia and Aguleri National Youth Association leadership under Comrade Emeka Chinwuba.
Omazu got a total number of 140 votes to win Mr Uchenna Anikpe who polled a total number of 131 votes and won him with a slight margin of 9 votes.
The electoral body adopted secret ballot system, which started immediately after the accreditation by10: am at Ama Mgboko public square venue of the election.
The election will end the crisis in the village which has lasted for more than 2 years with several court injuctions over the village lands and funds that were realized from the land sales.
The stakeholders of Mgboko village were not in support of Mr John Omazu candidacy and had used several court processes to frustrate him.
The election was first conducted last December and John Omazu won, the stakeholders denied his swearing in and sought the intervention of Aguleri town Union. The town Union mandated them to draft a constitution and gave them a one month ultimatum to conduct a fresh election which was conducted yesterday.
Although the runner up, Mr Uchenna Anikpe was a good candidate and a home breed but he lost the election for two reasons: He came out late. Also, the young people were fed up with the activities of the stakeholders of the village for undermining them while taking some critical decisions.
The election was a contest between the stakeholders and the youths of the village and the youths finally won.
In a statement after declaring Omazu winner of the election, the electoral observers led by Barr Rolex Iloakasia, expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct, stating that the process was credible, free and fair.
While stating that there can be only one winner at a time, Iloakasia advised the contestants that lost to collectively join hands with the winner to move the community forward.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after being declared winner, the Chairman-elect offered olive branch to his co-contestants, asking them to join his team in their quest to move Mgboko forward.
Omazu promised to prioritize the welfare of the people in their agenda and pledged to harmonize all stakeholders in the area to usher in a peaceful environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in Mgboko Igboezunu Aguleri.