AFTER SEVEN YEARS, ABACHA COMMUNITY SHEATHES SWORDS, ELECTS LEADERS
For the people of Abacha Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, the election of new town union executives signaled a new dawn for development, peace, prosperity and progress.
In the past, the relatively small town had been divided over who would get the town's rulership position. Thus the two main sections of the town, Akanato and Umudisi, have been locked in this battle of supremacy.
One section had argued that their neigbour had solely produced the Igwe, Onowu (traditional prime minister), local government councilor and the immediate past president general, leaving them with nothing.
Consequently, the tussle to gain control of the leadership of the town union left the town bereft of a president-general, an office recognized by the Anambra State government in relating with communities.
However, the Umudisi town had cause to celebrate, as well as sheath their swords when their son, Ambassador Jeffery Uba was elected the town union president general recently, thus breaking the jinx of the town's exclusion from the leadership of the community in the last seven years.
In his acceptance speech, Uba said that the Abacha community was set to be taken to lofty heights with the coming of the brand new executives.
He declared that the fears entertained by some individuals and groups prior to the elections did not hold water as he urged his kinsmen to allow the unity brought about by the peaceful elections to continue 'so that we can bring in developmental projects due to the town from the state government; this will help in leveling our dirty roads, sinking more boreholes, and generally taking Abacha to the next level.'
In a chat with Daily Sun, a prominent son of the town and the Librarian of Anambra State University, Uli, Dr. Norbert Amaechi Agbanu expressed happiness that the town had finally joined the league of democratic communities in the state, which was a departure from the past when the position was handed out through appointment of persons.
'This town never had it so good in terms of coming together and democratically electing a leader. I am fulfilled that today I can beat my chest and proclaim that I am an agent of democracy in our community', he enthused.
Agbanu, who secured the post of the vice president general of the town, promised to join hands with the new leader to uplift the town.
Elders were not left out in the celebration, as the Onowu of the town, Chief Paul Omofia lauded the young men of the town for their positive actions instead of engaging in continual bickering over who would take over the mantle of leadership which has existed for so many years.
The Onowu also advised the new leaders to make sure that the town continues to grow in peace, pointing out that one of the reasons for their election was for them to coordinate the activities of the Diaspora branches, harness their contributions into actions that would bring development to the community.
Another son of the soil, who was a delegate from Lagos to the elections, Mr. A. Orji, disclosed that for more than seven years, the office of the president general of the town has been vacant, making him to thank God for the peaceful conduct of elections.
'I have been waiting for the day this will happen, I thank the Almighty for bringing the silent rancour in our town to an end', Orji noted.
Commending the new executives, the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe G.B.C. Mbakwe, said that the election was a welcome development for the town, assuring them of his fatherly and royal blessings at all times.
Blessing the them, monarch said, 'I confer on you my blessings and goodwill so that you can move for the transformation of our town.'
The Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Dubem Obaze, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr. Henry Nwasike, encouraged the town to maintain the peace and understanding presently existing in it.