The people of Ajame Amaeze autonomous community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have condemned in strong terms the delayed inauguration of their President General.
DAILY POST reports that they are blaming the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for putting roadblock towards the peaceful completion of the process.
This comes as they gathered again in their numbers on Thursday for the purpose of electing the President-General.
It was the seventh time they would converge for the same purpose.
As they gathered yesterday, they could not hide their anger against the failure of the Commissioner, Hon. Okey Ogbodo, to monitor town union election for the seventh consecutive time.
They accused the ministry of stalling the process at the last minute despite repeated assurances.
Addressing journalists at the Ministry’s office in Enugu, the community leader, Chief Nathaniel Nwatu, described the delay as inordinate and insensitive, warning that it could stir unrest in their otherwise peaceful community.
“Our community is peaceful, but this unnecessary delay and neglect could provoke avoidable tension,” he said.
“The Ministry has now failed to honour its promise to monitor the election on seven different occasions.
“People travelled from Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Onitsha, Aba, and other places to vote, only to be disappointed again and again,” he lamented.
Chief Nwatu said the community had already conducted a credible election in line with directives from the Ministry, during which Chief Raymond Edeh emerged winner.
He explained that following the outcome of the election and a prior screening exercise, the other three aspirants, Chukwuemeka Nwatu, Ekene Nwatu, and Nwoye Sunday, had unanimously stepped down in support of Edeh, urging the Ministry to stop playing politics with the people’s mandate.
“We were told to conduct the election ourselves, and we did. After submitting the results, Chief Raymond Edeh was issued a form by the Ministry.
“But to our shock, they later rejected the outcome, claiming they would conduct the election themselves,” he lamented.
“Each time they schedule to come, they cancel it, often at the last minute.
“We cook food, buy palm wine, and gather at our town hall, only to be told hours later that the event won’t hold. It is disrespectful and unacceptable,” he said.
He added that ahead of the last scheduled visit on June 10, 2025, the community made all necessary preparations, including refreshments, but again the Ministry failed to show up.
They later brought the items to the Ministry to express their frustration and present the signed Memorandum of Understanding from the other contestants who had stepped down.
The three former aspirants, in a joint statement, affirmed their support for Edeh.
“We withdrew from the race in the interest of peace and unity,” Chukwuemeka Nwatu said.
“Chief Edeh came first during the screening exam and also won the election conducted earlier. We are backing him fully,” he declared.
Also speaking, Ekene Nwatu and Nwoye Sunday reiterated that their withdrawal was a collective decision to allow the community to move forward.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner, the Director of Town Unions in the Ministry, Mrs. Queendalene Odike, commended the community for their peaceful disposition.
“I want to sincerely commend you for the maturity and peace you have maintained. It was not your fault.
“The Honourable Commissioner will hear all your complaints, and I assure you that the Ministry will act promptly,” she said.
The highlight of the visit was the formal submission of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by all four aspirants, confirming Chief Raymond Edeh as the community’s consensus PG.
