24/03/2025
FORMER TC CHAIRMAN OF UKWA WEST LGA HIGH CHIEF (HON) IKECHUKWU STANLEY ETCHE EMERGED AS EZE-ELECT OF OBUZU UKWU AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY THROUGH PLEBISCITE
On Thursday, the 20th Day of March, 2025 at the town hall, Umuahala, the entire people of Obuzor Ukwu Autonomous Community, comprising of two major towns of Obiakpu and Umuahala as well as nine component villages, gathered to decide on who becomes the Eze Oha II (Traditional Ruler) of Obuzor Ukwu Autonomous Community. The event attracted a large crowd of men, women and youths from far and near, including so many people from other Asa Communities who came to witness the Selection Exercise.
At the close of the plebiscite, exactly at 3:29pm, it emerged that Chief (Hon) Stanley Ikechukwu Eche (59 years old Former TC Chairman of Ukwa West LGA; former Honourable Commissioner for Petroleum and the Paramount Chief of Ahala Ukwu Village), garnered the highest number of votes beating other Contestants including *Elder Manasseh Nna Nwannete* (an Abuja based 67 years, Retired Public Servant and Private Business Entrepreneur), Chief Samuel Ngozi Nwachukwu, a.k.a. Sambest, (62 years old Technician and Paramount Chief of Umuokobiri Village); Sir Chief (Engr) Kelechi Nwuka (47 years old, Traditional Prime Minister of Obuzor Ukwu and Paramount Chief of Umuogbacha Village) and Bishop Nosike Victor John (30 years old Aba and Europe based Clergyman and Business Tycoon).
To the glory of God, all the Contestants alluded to the free, fair, peaceful and transparency of the exercise, thereby accepting the outcome of the plebiscite and congratulated the winner. The entire people of the Autonomous Community rejoiced in songs and dancing, while showering praises on the Ezeship Selection Committee for doing a wonderful job.
*HOW IT ALL STARTED*
On Tuesday, the 9th of January 2024, Prince (Engr) Charles Ezindu Akanwa (the Crown Prince of Obuzor Ukwu Autonomous Community and first son to the first traditional ruler of the Community) invited Stakeholders of the Community to a meeting, where he reminded those present that his father and the late King, HRH Eze Maxwell Nwabeke Akanwa (Eze Oha I of Obuzor Ukwu Autonomous Community) died on the 29th July 2021 and was buried on the 11th of March, 2022; saying that it had become necessary for the Community to select another King as nature abhors vacuum. He also pointed out that his father while alive, counselled that the selection of whoever succeeds him in the event of his death, must not be allowed to cause rancour but must be done peacefully; hence he pleaded on the people to ensure that his father's last wish is respected. But on that meeting, the Stakeholders reasoned that it was not yet three (3) years from the date of the late Eze's burial hence the community cannot commence selection process. They mandated the Traditional Prime Minister to summon a meeting for that purpose when the time is ripe.
So on the 11th of November 2024, at a well attended meeting presided over by the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief (Sir) Kelechi Nwuka and attended by Leaders including Dame Victoria Akanwa (Agu Nwanyi and Mayoress of Obuaku City) among others; the Community unanimously resolved and constituted a 21 member Ezeship Selection Committee, with Sir Boniface U. Nwaigwe as the Chairman and Hon Kingsley O. Nwogu as Secretary.
Consequently, the Committee moved with commitment and dexterity in the handling of the assignment. At a general meeting held on Wednesday 8th January, 2025 the Committee among other things, read the Constitution of the Autonomous Community, which was adopted by the Community in year 2000, as a prelude to the selection of the first traditional ruler, and also unveiled the Committee's Template detailing Guideline, Procedures and Timeline for the selection of the new Traditional Ruler. These two documents were all adopted and accepted by the Community at the said meeting.
According to the Constitution, the Ezeship of the Community rotates between Obiakpu and Umuahala and the decision of who becomes the Eze Elect lies with the Selection Committee where there's more than one Candidate. Again, the constitution listed the qualifications of whoever aspires to be Eze of Obuzor Ukwu, and also provided that selection of the Eze shall be based on popular choice of the people and not based on the seniority of the village that make up the Town from where the Candidate is being presented.
Armed with these two documents, the Committee called for declaration of interests. By 28th February 2025, being the closing date for obtaining of Expression of Interest Form by any prospective contestant, a total of Five illustrious sons of Umuahala Town collected, filled and returned their expression of interest forms, signalling their intentions to become the King. On the 12th and 14th of March 2025, the Committee conducted oral screenings of the Contestants, while it also visited the homes of the Contestants on the 17th of March 2025 for physical verifications of some of the claims of the contestants.
From the onset, the Community agreed that only one person will be presented to Government as the choice candidate (Eze Elect) of the Community as provided by the Constitution. In order to ensure the implementation of this agreement, the Contestants were required to sign undertakings to accept the decisions of the Community represented by the Ezeship Selection Committee. In addition to the undertaking, they were also required to present sworn affidavits in support of the undertakings, which all of them complied with.
At the end of the screening, all the Contestants scaled through except Bishop Nosike Victor John, who was disqualified on account of his unmarried status and other constitutional infringements. When this announcement was made, the young man stepped forward and thanked the Committee for giving him the opportunity to express himself even though he already knew he was not completely qualified. He pledged to support whoever emerged as the Eze Elect.
In view of the high stakes and sensitivity of this exercise, the committee agreed not just to handle the tasks with all honesty but also to be neutral and provide a fair, level playing ground for all Contestants. This agreement was kept to the letter to the cheering of the Contestants, the larger community as well as outsiders who followed the processes.
It is on this note that I, Sir Boniface U. Nwaigwe (Chairman of the Ezeship Selection Committee), return all glory to God for seeing me and the Committee through. I have handled several tasky Community assignments in the past, but non was as daunting and tension soaked as this. I also most sincerely appreciate all the five Contestants for their sacrifices and cooperation. Like I told them, they aspired not because they hoped to get commensurate benefits but to contribute to the growth and development of Obuzor Ukwu.
And to all the Committee members, I salute your courage and steadfastness in taking decisions without being forced or cajoled. When it was time for voting, I made it clear that the Committee never endorsed any Candidate but that the members were at liberty to vote the candidate of their choice as their consciences lead them. Reactions so far from the Community, friends and well-wishers shows that the Consciences of the Members led them well in making the right decision. I doff my cap for all of you.
Finally, I wish to convey hearty congratulations to my Elder Brother and Master, Chief (Hon) Stanley Ikechukwu Eche (Ahaoma I of Obuzor Ukwu) for emerging the Eze Elect by popular choice. It was a hard fought victory and honour well deserved. I pray God to give you the wisdom, strengthen and enabling grace to excell in this new calling while also pledging to stand by you day in, day out.
May I at this juncture call on the Government of Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR to honour the decision of Obuzor Ukwu Autonomous Community by handing the Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition to Chief (Hon) Stanley Ikechukwu Eche, without delay.
*To God be all Glory.*
*Sir Boniface U. Nwaigwe*
Umuahala.
The voice of Asa Land
