RESIDENTS of Okpoko Community stormed Awka, the Anambra capital in two groups over allegations of manipulation of community election.

One of the groups claimed they were on solidarity visit to the state government for peaceful conduct of the said election, while the other group alleged that the election was manipulated.

In reaction, Benson Nwawulu, a member representing Ogbaru 1 constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, dismissed the allegations that the election was manipulated.

He noted that the election into the position of president-general of the community was free, fair and credible.

Nwawulu spoke when he received hundreds of residents of the area, led by Francis Enemuo, a claimant to position of President-General, who said to show solidarity at the Anambra State House of Assembly complex, Awka.

He said the community in the last 11 years was administered by a handpicked caretaker committee that he described as `undemocratic’.

Nwawulu added that the officials of the ministry of Local Government and Town Union Matters were present to monitor the exercise and adjudged it to be free and fair.

“The election that produced Mr Enemuo and his executive was conducted based on an order by a state High Court.

“If anybody is aggrieved at the outcome of the election, he should go to court to seek redress.

“I am sure that some politicians who have interest in the coming general elections are the people sponsoring the protests.

“They want to have a group of supporters. So they are causing the crisis,” Nwawulu added.

Earlier, Enemuo, factional president-general, commended Governor Willie Obiano for the “excellent performance’’ of his administration in the state and Okpoko community at large.

“We are pleased with your administration, especially in breaking the chains of undesirable caretaker committees in Okpoko community development Union by allowing us to choose our executive at an election.’’

Meanwhile, the second group led by another factional leader to President-General position, Edwin Emesinwa, accused some government functionaries of instigating disharmony in their area through attempt to foist a union leadership on them.

The group was received by Primus Odili, chief of staff to the governor, who assured them that their grievances would be communicated to governor for proper investigation.

– Aug. 8, 2018 @ 18:27 GMT |