www.odogwublog.com reports that there is tension in Oba Youth wing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ATATU) in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state, last week, trooped out en-mass to vote for their preferred candidate in the youth election amidst water-tight security.
The youth election, conducted by Oba Patriotic Union (OPU) in conjunction with the Anambra state government was observed by the  state Governor, Willie Obiano, the Nigerian army from 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Nigerian police, Department of the State Service (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Coup (NSCDC) and other security agencies.
Comrade Ikechukwu Samuel Ezeukwu was declared the winner by the chairman of the electoral committee, Hon. Mmadumelu Sunday amidst pumps and celebration.
Ezeukwu pulled a total of 837 votes to beat kingsley Mmaduakonam who came a distant second with 365 votes. Other contestants in the election include Mr. Toochukwu Uzochukwu who got 141 votes and Hon. Aghasiefo Ekene Augustine that scored 104 votes.
Governor Obiano, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth Moblisation, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, Hon Tony Uche-Ezekwelu while congratulating the community for the orderly manner they conducted themselves during the poll which he described as peaceful, credible, free and fair, however, charged the winner to carry everybody along in the discharge of his duties.
“I therefore enjoin every Oba youth to support and cooperate with the winner to enable him steer the tide of development in the community. I also call on him to carry everybody along and queue into the Government agenda for more infrastructural development in the community. The youths should eschew violence, land grabbing and criminality so that government can integrate them into the states’ skill acquisition and empowerment.
“Before now, Oba youths have been known for violence crime and youth brigandage and sale of community and personal lands but Gov Obaino’s youth friendly disposition has made them to come together for this peaceful election. I thank them for being so peaceful and so organized in this election, it shows that democracy has come to stay.
“Last year before the November 18governorship poll, we were able to go to a lot of communities to conduct this kind of election. In some areas, you won’t see up to 100 youths and in some areas like Umuleri and Oba, you see thousands of youths troop out. Government has also provided financial incentive to all elected youth wing in Anambra state. The recent governorship election in the state is a clear manifestation that votes count and that is what Oba youths replicated in today’s election” he said.
The President General of the town, Chief Ifeatu Uzowulu expressed happiness that the much hyped election ended in peace, saying that the youth election will bring ever lasting peace in the community.
“Oba is one of the communities that are notable for youth brigandage and that is something we have been with for the past three years that I assumed office as the President General. This election into the youth leadership is one of the solutions to the problem and now that it has been done, they should consider themselves as part and parcel of the town union. \
“I expect that there should be more unity and greater cohesion between the youth and parent body. Let them come close and imbibe wisdom and more knowledge that will help them for the future because the future belongs to them” he said.
On his part, the winner of the election, Mr. Samuel Ezeukwu eulogized the youths for finding him worthy to represent them pointing out that the victory will spur him to continue his goodwill to the youths and indigent citizens of the community.
“My emergence as the youth leader of the community did not come as a surprise because I have been on ground doing the little I can for the wellbeing of the youths and Oba community in general. Before now, I have given scholarship to more than 25 indigent students and empowered other youths with more than 50 motorcycles to engage them meaningfully. Not many youths who don’t have any position in government can do that on humanitarian ground. I built houses to up to eight families that have no shelter and  sponsored Oba Patriotic Union in 2016 for Oba mass return which they gave me award for that and  I happen to be the youngest awardee as that time. I have also promised to place another set of 20 persons on scholarship. That is what I have been doing and what I will continue to do” he assured.