Etsako community sets to elects new leaders

The Ukhomunyio Community (Afopella) in Okpella Clan of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State is billed to elect new leaders to administer the affairs of the community on June 24, following the dissolution of the 11-year-old executive body of the community.

This was contained in the communique issued at the end of the conference held by the community at its town hall recently, and which was signed by 21 community leaders under the chairmanship of Chief M.O. Ali.

At the end of the conference, the community resolved that a seven man electoral body be set up to conduct fresh elections after the immediate past president of the community announced the stepping aside of himself and his executive committee members to pave way for the election of new officers.

The electoral panel is to be headed by Dr. Ayuba Giwa and has Henry Idogun, Elder (Apostle) Paul Omokhagbor, Dr. Eshobo Irekpita and Nicolas Aliu, Paul Ofeoshi as members while Abdulraman Ahmed will serve as secretary.

To promote unity and peace within the community, the conference further agreed that the election of the new executive members should be done through consensus to avoid acrimony amongst the contending candidates.

As a result of the leadership vacuum created by the exit of the outgone executive, the council of village heads now remains the only organ of administration of the community, the council having registered as an institution under the laws of Edo State.

“On the election of a new executive, the council noted that the elections of past executives were done on consensus candidates to fill the offices. As a result of this the council will pursue vigorously this policy of filling the positions with consensus candidates.

“That in the event the policy of consensus fails, all members of Ukhomunyio Community shall be called out for a full blown election of one man one vote in tune with all democratic practices globally.

“This decision is informed by the fact that the constitution of Ukhomunyio Community did not provide for any other mode of election. The said constitution clearly provides for membership of the community, provides for the offices through elections.

“Consequently, it is only the members of the community that can vote to elect the officers. Delegate election was not considered as it is patently unconstitutional. Beside, the election of such delegate is most difficulty if not impossible to carry out,” the communique stated.

Meanwhile, members of the Ukhomunyio council of village heads, who are the true and lawful representatives of the people of Ukhomunyio, expressed its gratitude to the out gone executive for their selfless services during their tenure.