Ibeayifa Calls for withdrawal of all Oba leadership Petitions, Election of Town Union Exco

..Calls for the supremacy of Oba Constitution in Town Union/Igweship elections

By Chukwudum Ebele

Ibeyifa Association, a prestigious group formed with the sole purpose of promoting peace and development in Oba has appealed for the withdrawal of pending matters, petitions relating to Oba Patriotic Union (OPU) leadership crisis and Igwe Selection Process in courts or at security agencies to pave way for amicable resolutions of issues sorrounding the Town Union leadership and Selection cum Election of EzeOkpoko II.

Ibeayifa also advised the Chairman of the OPU Board of Trustees and the Chairman Interim Town Union Government to convoke a general meeting of the OPU to elect a new Executive in line with the Oba Constitution to take charge of the affairs of the Union and expedite the process of producing who ascends the throne of EzeOkpoko Oba.

The association made the request via a communique titled – ‘Path to a lasting Peace in Oba’ and signed by Chairman Ibeayifa Association Board of Trustees, Nduagbo Nnoli and Chairman Ibeayifa Association, Darlington Mgbojikwe which was made available to the press recently.

According to the Communique, “Our hearts are heavy as we write because our dear town is presently at crossroads and searching for a way forward. After due consultation and a review of the recent events in
Oba, Ibeayifa concluded that the current impasse in Oba is rooted in the inconclusive first phase of the
Igwe selection process.

“We subsequently identified the immediate causes of the present impasse as follows: Firstly, the inability of the erstwhile OPU Executive to conduct the election of a new Executive. Secondly, the appointment of an Interim Town Union Government (ITUG) by the Hon. Commissioner for
Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Anambra State. Thirdly, the abrupt handover of the affairs of the Oba Patriotic Union (OPU) to its Board of Trustees. Fourthly, the pendency of matters or petitions filed by aggrieved individuals and parties in courts or
security agencies”.

“After due perusal of the Constitution of Oba Patriotic Union and the Constitution of Igwe and Eze Okpoko Oba as well as taking cognizance of all other issues involved, Ibeayifa is of the firm view that all processes and procedures relating to the OPU leadership, and the selection of the Igwe-Elect must be in accordance with the applicable Constitution”.

“Consequently, we hereby proffer the following advice for the resolution of the present impasse and as a path to lasting peace in Oba: Firstly, the Chairman of OPU Board of Trustees together with the Chairman of ITUG should convoke a general meeting of the OPU to elect a new Executive in line with the Constitution of OPU to take
charge of the affairs of the Union”.

“Secondly, the ITUG should dissolve after the election of a new OPU Executive, and all its powers and activities subsumed in the elected Executive.

“Thirdly, in line with the Constitution of Igwe and Eze Okpoko Oba, the new OPU Executive should
continue with the first cycle of the Igwe selection process from where the erstwhile Executive
stopped. If the first cycle fails to produce an Igwe-Elect, the Executive should proceed with the
second and subsequent cycles until an Igwe-Elect emerges as provided in the Constitution”.

“Fourthly, the present role and functions of the Regent of Oba should persist in line with the Constitution of Igwe and Eze Okpoko Oba but shall determine upon the installation of a new Igwe”.

“Fifthly, All matters or petitions relating to OPU leadership and Igwe selection pending in courts
or with security agencies should be withdrawn to pave way for an amicable resolution of the
issues involved”.

“Ibeayifa appeals to all affected individuals and parties to eschew rancour and bitterness and to embrace the spirit of brotherhood so as to enable us restore love and peace in our community”.

“No one, not the Courts and not the Government can resolve this present impasse better or quicker than we the indigenes of Oba, so let us please yield our various contending grounds for the bigger interest of Oba”.

“Ibeayifa and indeed all indigenes are counting on Ichie Noel Ezenwa, Regent of Oba; Ichie Boniface M.
Onyeka, Chairman of OPU BOT and Sir Osita Ubadi, Chairman of ITUG to please bury the hatchet
and consider and implement the above suggested advice aimed at restoring lasting peace in Oba. K’Oba di mma! And may God heal all wounded hearts and grant us his peace in Oba,” it stated.