Imo Community Elect Youth Chairman, Executives

PRESS RELEASE

Umuodu- Umuihugba community in Owerri Municipal, at the weekend, elected a new youth chairman and other executive members after the expiration of the tenure of the last executives.

  

Two positions were contested for as the other contestants for other executive positions were returned un-opposed

Mr. Tony Chukwu was elected chairman of the youth body which was conducted in a free and fair manner at the Umuodu community hall polling a total of 60 votes to defeat Mr. Henry Onyealisi who polled one vote.

Accreditation of delegates drawn from the five youth villages began at 12.45 pm while actual voting conducted in open secret ballot began by 1.07 pm. One of the villages - Umudike- refused to take part in the election as they did not send in their delegates list following the withdrawal of their kinsman, Mr. Onyealisi from the race.

Prior to the commencement of voting, Surveyor Fedinand Anoruo, Vice Chairman of  Umuihugba Welfare Development Council (UWDC) in charge of youth affairs, announced the procedure for conducting the election stating that 80% of the entire vote cast was substantial enough for a winner to emerge despite the withdrawal of Mr. Henry Onyealisi for the chairmanship position and  his Umudike delegates.

  

Voting began for the position of PRO with Mr. Obinna Anoruo defeating Mr. Oscar Egbujor for the position.

Announcing the result of the election to thousands of youths of the community who gathered at the community hall, the Electoral committee chairman, Hon Emeka Onuoha said the election was free and fair and a clear winner in the person of Mr. Tony Chukwu emerged as winner of the chairmanship position.

He admitted that Mr. Chukwu’s opponent, Henry Onyealisi, wrote a letter to the committee on the day of the election opting out of the race for security reasons. Onuoha said the letter came late on the day of the election as necessary arrangements had been concluded for the polls to be hitch free.

Onuoha added that despite Mr. Onyealisi’s withdrawal from the contest, it does not affect the conduct of the election since over 70% of the voters were present.

Speaking to newsmen after his election, the newly elected chairman of Umuodu Community, Mr. Tony Chukwu expressed delight with his emergence and promised to provide effective leadership for the youths in the community.  He thanked the delegates for voting him overwhelmingly and some youth leaders in the community for his success and emergence as the youth chairman.

He also extended a hand of friendship to his opponent, urging him to join hands in managing the affairs of the community. The victory of Mr. Tony Chukwu was trailed by massive celebrations across the community as the youths in their hundreds went around the community chanting victory songs.

PHOTO: MR. TONY CHUKWU (M) HANDS RAISED AS WINNER OF UMUODU YOUTH ELECTION. ON THE RIGHT IS HON EMEKA ONUOHA, CHAIRMAN, ELECTORAL COMMITTEE OF THE ELECTION.