Anambra State Government’s Decision to Dissolve Oko People’s Union Executive Revealed

Anambra State Government recently made the decision to dissolve the executive members of the Oko People’s Union (OPU).

This was done in order to help quell the crisis occurring in the Oko community of Orumba-North Local Government Area, which stemmed from the appointment of a representative into the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic located in the community.

The government’s action was taken after assessing numerous petitions sent in by stakeholders in the community.

According to the Police Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs, Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, the election of the town union was surrounded by protests and led to an ongoing crisis since its conclusion.

After the executive members’ dissolvment, a caretaker committee was formed to restore peace and prepare for a free, fair, and transparent election in December of this year.

The unrest began when a former Member of the House of Representatives, Sopuru Ezeonwuka, was unilaterally appointed to the Governing Council by the OPU executive without consulting the royal leadership in the community.

This decision was opposed by the traditional ruler, Igwe Prof Laz Ekwueme, who is the late Vice-president, Alex Ekwueme’s brother.

Letters were sent to the Ministry of Education expressing the traditional ruler’s dissent, which weighed in the state government’s decision to dissolve the OPU executive.

Ezeonwuka holds the opinion that the OPU’s dissolution was an illegal act, and asserts that it was not the OPU that appointed him, but Oko People’s Congress.

Nevertheless, Ogechukwu Ekwueme, the transition committee chairman of Orumba-North local government, has declared that the decision of the state government must be followed and everyone involved in the matter has been notified.

The crisis in the Oko community has the attention of Anambra State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his main opponent in the upcoming election, Chinedu Onyeizu.

If the caretaker committee’s efforts prove successful, the elections in December may become a pillar of stability that helps the community move past this tumultuous episode.

Credit: https://sunnewsonline.com/oko-town-union-dissolved-over-controversial-appointment-of-representative-into-okopoly-governing-council/

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