Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Greg Obi has debunked allegations of government highhandedness on town union affairs, describing same as unfounded.
In an exclusive interview with the West African Pilot News correspondent, Hon. Greg Obi expressed shock that people are pointing accusing figure at the government. He also stressed that government does not meddle with town union elections as there is no way that was possible, considering that each community has its own constitution guiding its activities.
“What happens in some instances is that government looks at the situation on the ground and then decides if an election can go on. In cases where the election is generating unhealthy tension that is a recipe for violence, then the election can be suspended temporarily and the option of caretaker is used for purposes of stability. But when the town is ready for an election, they tell us, once they do, we don’t waste time to ensure the election is conducted”, Mr. Obi said.
The Commissioner further emphasized that his office never intervenes or try to influence the outcome of any town union election, much less impose anyone on any town.
“The truth is that most of these people do not know what their own community constitution says. We do not take any decision on any community without first consulting their constitution. Sometimes you find some members of a community due for election wanting to have their own way without due recourse to their own constitution. When this happens, what we do is to come in and remind them that there is a constitution and that it has to be followed”, Obi said.
Recently, town union elections in Aguluzoigbo and Agulu communities were fraught with controversies and accusations. In both instances, the government of Anambra state and pointedly the Commissioner for Local Government was accused of meddling in those elections.
The government was also accused during the latest protest by some members of Oko community against what they termed imposition of leaders on the town. According to the commissioner, the government’s interaction with town unions is to the extent as permitted by the extant laws. “In Aguluzoigbo, we intervened to save a possible breakdown of law and order. We only insisted that the town’s constitution be followed and not bypassed by anyone”.
However, in the Agulu community, it was even more. “Do you know a certain letter was alleged to have emanated from my office with my signature on the letter? They went as far as forging a letter with my signature”, the Commissioner said.
Speaking on the town union election crisis, he recalled that towards the end of last year, about fifty communities conducted their elections, but there was problem in a handful of communities over a wide range of irregularities and threat of instability leaving the government with no option than to inaugurate a caretaker committee, which is still within the relevant laws of Anambra state town union management.
“We conducted about fifty elections in different town unions across the state last December. Out of the fifty, only about five communities had problem and once they resolve the problem and communicate us, we move immediately to ensure the elections are conducted and that the wishes of the community stands”, Hon. Greg said.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
- World Immunization Week: Medical Practitioners, Others, Speak on the Benefits of Immunization - April 25, 2024
- Insecurity in Anambra: “We must focus our gaze within” – Uzu Okagbue - April 25, 2024
- Anambra Schoolgirls Win National ICT Competition - April 25, 2024
