04/08/2024
*AWGU 2024 AND INJUSTICE AGAINST OWELLI TOWN*
_By *Equator* Nonso Okonkwo
Historically, In the year 1922 when the colonial masters wanted to create County councils/Divisions,(Now Localgovernments)for easy administration,they returned back Owelli Town which was the cradle of civilization ( the first place they settled in the southern Wawaland,Now greater Awgu zone)
The Missionaries wanted to site the new County/Divisional headquarters at Owelli Town.
Unfortunately, the enemies of Owelli progress hijacked the process with the Divide and Rule them gimmicks and finally settled for Awgu Town instead.
So by extension, what we know today as Awgu LGA, Old Awgu Division was once referred as Owelli Native Court Area after the establishment of Native/customary court in Owelli Town in 1919 and supposed to be Owelli LGAand Old Owelli Division and it is still so in the eyes of colonial masters.
In order to reward the good people of Owelli Awgu LGA later subdivided into North and South State constituency with Owelli town as the Awgu North (Mbanabo)consistency headquarters.
Subsequently, In 1996, the national boundary demarcation and local government reform committee lee by Chief Arthur Mbanefo after a feasibility study,approved the creation of Mbanabo Local government with Owelli Town as its headquarters.
With the following remarks (Mbanabo local government, Owelli) is long overdue for creation.
But some group of persons opposed this with every resources within their reach,this development forced the elders of Mbanabo to set up Mbanabo Local Government creation Committee headed by Late Igwe G U Ochi of Ogugu Town.
This committee in their God given wisdom resolved that the new local government headquarters should be Mbanabo and that it should be sited at the boundary between Owelli and Ihe Town after Girls Secondary School Owelli (Aka muo gbara Akwa).
This was generally accepted by the whole Mbanabo natives even though it was against the original formation and equally an injustice against Owelli Town.
The resolution was adopted and signed by all parties involved in the tussle, memo was sent to National Boundary Demarcation reform committee.
Unfortunately,the same insatiable elements who were not satisfied with the committee report, insisted that it must be Mbanabor Local government headquarters IHE TOWN that was after signing Memorandum of understanding reached by every party that was involved and believing in their connection with the federal government and circle of influence went from backyard and submit a contrast report which opposed the one submitted by Late Igwe Ochi led committee.
And afterwards,the national boundary demarcation and local government reform having two contradicting report on the same case have no option than to suspend the creation of Mbanabo local government.
This was how the old Awgu division lost one local government and a federal constituency
And to add insult to injury in order to beat down Owelli politically, Owelli Town was later fused with three other towns (Ugbo, Ogugu and Amoli) to form a singular electoral Ward.
While Awgu Town took two wards, Ihe, Agbogugu, Mgbowo, Obeagu and Ogbaku took one ward each.
What a calculated insult at a magnified level?
From Native Authority/Administrative, Divisional,district headquarters to sharing of an electoral ward with three other towns while her fellow old native authority/Administrative headquarters are now state capital, zonal headquarters or at least local government headquarters.
*What an injustice leveled against Owelli Town*?
This further deepens the political woos of Owelli people and left them in political quagmire with endless political Ululation.
It is an eyes sour to note that Owelli town has never produced Awgu Council chairman or Deputy, Commissioner, Member of HOA, let alone HOR not to talk of Senator.
Ironically, the same people who opposed the idea of sitting Mbanabo local government headquarters at owelli Town or co-host the headquarters with Owelli still recognize Owelli as the center/headquarters of Awgu North (Mbanabo) in every ramification up to date both religiously and political wise
Even the just concluded state House Assembly election results of 18th March 2023 was collated and announced at Owelli Town as usual reaffirming OWELLI Town as MBANABO Headquarters.
*AWGU 2024 INVEIW*
Just like every other electoral season, the ongoing permutations towards Awgu Local Government 2024 especially which Town of Awgu North will produce the next Chairman by October this year sequel to the sharing formula between the North and South is normal.
Suprisingly, the same insatiable elements who in 1996 denied Ndi Awgu A Local government (Mbanabo) that was long overdue for creation are already in their usual way speeding up their selfish plans of denying Ndi Owelli the chance of producing the next chairman of Awgu LGA and this got me asking ,where is their conscience?
Under the guise of (It is the turn of Our-Ward) with the logic that Amoli/Ugbo/Ogugu/Owelli fused ward and not Owelli Town had one time produced the Chairman of Awgu LGA.
My question for them here is which year did Owelli Town produce chairman and who was the person??
When did Amoli, Ugbo or Ogugu become part of Owelli Town?
Anyone who isn't economical with the truth will attest to the fact that the creations of electoral wards in Enugu state especially in Awgu LGA through the process of fusions and diffusioin of towns was worse than murder of Justice, equity and fairness.
And that is why the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani addressed the issue with Creation of Autonomous communities,new wards and local government development areas.
Though this didn't alleviate the pains of the shortchanged towns but at least it brought succors by giving them sense of belonging.
And the subsequent administrations after the Almighty Ebeano have continue to toe the same pathway by using the Autonomous Communities (New wards)and Development areas as yardstick for sharing and allotment.
For instance when the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi wanted to encourage rural development through community base projects, he shared N10m (Ten million naira) to each Autonomous Communities instead of old Wards that were founded on altar of deceit.
Even the incumbent Governor of Enugu State chose Development Area tours during his campaign instead of LGA or ward tour.
So anyone who still want us to use ward as yardstick for sharing of Power, slots and dividends of democracy is nothing but agent of destruction and enemy of democracy, peace and progress of Awgu LGA.
And those saying that it is the turn of a particular ward that have represented Awgu North/Greater Awgu in almost every position both elective and appointive to still produce the next chairman of Awgu LGA should tell us the parameter used in creation of electoral wards in Awgu LGA?
What qualified or Disqualified quarters, village and Towns from becoming an electoral Ward?
What is the criteria’s used in the fusion and diffusion of different towns into electoral wards?
What is the yardstick used in merging Owelli Town that was once an electoral ward together with other three towns as *OWELLI/OGUGU/UGBO/AMOLI WARD* ???
What qualified Obeagu that is not up UMUNNA clan of Umuhu Owelli Town in terms of population and voting capacity and Ogbaku town that is smaller than Awono (the smallest community in Owelli Town) to have one ward each ahead of Owelli Town?
And what disqualified Owelli Town,the first administrative headquarters of old Awgu with population of 20,000 (2006 census) from having a ward of her own??
Note:The first Mission Center(St John's Pro-Cathedral ),School, Court of Law(Area/Magistrate Court)Police station (Now Divisional Headquarters ,Post office in old Awgu division were all situated at Owelli Town.
Instead of receiving a good reward just like every other ancient Native/Administrative headquarters like Udi, Enugu Ngwo, Achi, Nsukka Town for sacrificing our ancestral Lands for the advancement and easy propagation of the Gospel, Civilization in old Awgu division, what we got is humiliation and relegation to fourth-class Town in same division we founded
And don't forget that Owelli Town is bigger than Ogbaku, Obeagu, Agbudu, Isuawaa and Ituku town combined together in terms of population, voting capacity and landmass.
So Sir/Ma,
If it is by Ward, Owelli Town which is bigger than Ihe, Ogbaku,Obeagu,Mgbowo Towns both in Landmass, population and voting capacity deserve it more because by merit Owelli Town supposed to have multiple distinct electoral wards since the aforementioned Towns got one ward each.
Therefore the claim from some angles that it is the turn of their Ward which have represented Awgu in more than nine different positions to still produce the next Awgu LGA Chairman to the detriment of Owelli Town that is yet to produce any is baseless, unfounded and should be disregarded with all seriousness.
Noteworthy, Owelli Town is the only Town Awgu LGA where PDP won with wide margin in all the polling booths in the in 2023 governorship election.
This is very verifiable because the results/data is with INEC.
This once again reaffirms their unflinching support and unequivocal loyalty to the party since the return of democracy in 1999.
*THE SHARING FORMULA IN AWGU LGA*
From the time immemorial, there has been memorandum of understanding on Power sharing between the two constituencies we have in Awgu which has promoted unity,progress,and peaceful cohabitation amongst the two.
For instance, If Awgu South produce the chairman, the deputy chairman will come from North and verse-visa.
And after their tenure, the reverse becomes the case (i.e. the next chairman will come from Awgu North the South takes the Deputy).
And since the immediate past Chairman is from South, the North will producce the next Chairman.
*AWGU NORTH (MBANABO) SHARING FORMULA*
Just as the name Depicts, Mbanabo is made up of two distinct clans Ntegbe and Awaa (Ewaa)
This two clans over the decades has been sharing the little slots allotted to them by government amicably with the help of treaty signed by their decision molders.
In the current democracy dispersion (1999-Date) the Ntegbe clans has produced two state house of Assembly members, Deputy Chairman and four commissioners while the Awaa people produced two council chairmen, Deputy Council Chairman and five commissioners ,House of Rep(Three Times)and Current Two Commissioners and also Member representing Awgu North at ESHA is from Awaa block.
So therefore it is the turn Ntegbe clan of Mbanabo to produce the next Chairman of Awgu Local government council.
*THE MBANABO NORTH AND SOUTH DICHOTOMY*
In other to correct the political imbalance, injustice and address the “Winners take all Philosophy”in Enugu state ,the government of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani in his infinite wisdom, divided the Awgu North constituency into Mbanabo North and South Local Government development areas after the creation Autonomous with new wards.
From then till date, Autonomous communities and the development areas/centers not Electoral Wards has been the yardstick for sharing of powers and dividend of democracy within the state.
And since the immediate past Chairman of Awgu council (Hon Stanley Okeke),
The current Member representing Awgu North at EHSA, The Two Commissioners representing Awgu hails from Mbanabo North, The Mbanabo South
Shall produce the next chairman without further argument.
Don't forget that, The Mbanabo North bloc has being ones representing Awgu North at ESHA since the inception of current democracy in 1999 till date.
*HERE IS THE SUMMARY OF REPRESENTATION OF AWGU NORTH (MBANABO) AT DIFFERENT LEVEL*
*AGBUDU TOWN*
1. Hon. Anthony Obilanyo Awgu Council Secretary 2007-2011
2. Hon. Jane Eneh
House of Assembly 2019-2023
3.Hon. Jane Eneh
House of Assembly
2023-
*ITUKU TOWN*
1. Chief Edmund .U. Chukwu House of Assembly First
Republic
*AGBOGUGU TOWN*
1. Hon. Clement Anigwe Council Chairman
1976-1979
2. Hon. Hyacinth Udeani House of Assembly
1997-1983
3. Hon. Frank Agude Council Chairman
1997-1998
4. Hon. Frank Agude Council Chairman
2001-2003
5. Hon. S.K.E Ude-Okoye House of Assembly 2011-2015
6. Hon. Ozuome Chukwu PDP Party Chairman, Awgu L.G.A. 1999-2007
7. Hon. Desmond Owo Awgu L.G.A Council Secretary 1999-2002
8. Hon S.K.E Ude-Okoye House of Assembly 2019-2018
9. Hon S.K.E Ude-Okoye PDP National Youth Leader 2017-2021
10.
Hon Uchenna Okoro Deputy Transition Chairman
2019-2020
11.Hon Uchenna Okoro
Transition Chairman
2020
*AMOLI TOWN*
1. Hon. Orji C.A Orji Deputy Council Chairman 1999-2002
2. Hon. Orji C.A Orji Commissioner 2003-2004
3. Hon. Uche Anioke Commissioner 2001-2002
4. Hon. Uche Anioke Council Chairman 2007-2011
*UGBO TOWN*
1. Hon. Alex Ogbonna House of Assembly 1992-1994
2. Hon. Toby Okechukwu House Of Representatives 2011- 2015
3. Hon. Toby Okechukwu House Of Representatives 2015 ¬-2019
4. Hon. Eze O. Eze Awgu Council Secretary 2015- 2019
5.
Hon. Toby Okechukwu
House Of Representatives
2019- 2023
6. Hon Lota Ogbonna Awgu council Deputy Chairman 2019- 2022
7.
Hon Lota Ogbonna
Awgu Council Deputy Chairman
2022- till date
*IHE TOWN*
1. Chief D.N Chukwu House of Representatives First
Republic
2. Hon. P.C Okeke House of Representatives 1979-1983
3. Hon. Cyril Oke Igwe Commissioner 1979-1983
4. Hon. Cyrill Oke Igwe Commissioner 1999-2003
5. Hon. Cletus Enebe House of Assembly (Speaker) 1999-2001
6. Hon. Martin Anikwe Commissioner 2015-2014
7. Hon. Ogbuagu Aniekwe Commissioner 2017-2019
*OGBAKU TOWN*
1. Hon. Stanley Okeke Council Chairman 2015-2017
2. Hon. Stanley Okeke Council Chairman 2017- till date
*ISU AWAA TOWN*
1. Hon. Martin Chukwunwike
Commissioner 2003-2007
2. Hon. Martin Chukwunwike
Commissioner 2007-2011
3. Hon. Ugonna Ibe Transition Council Chairman 2017
4 Hon. Ugonna Ibe Commissioner 2019-2023
5
Hon. Martin Chukwunwike
Commissioner July 2023 till date
6 Adaora Chukwu Commissioner July 2023 till date
*OGUGU TOWN*
1. Hon. Chinenyeze C. Council Chairman 1992-1994
2. Hon. Ferdinand Ochi Council Chairman 1995-1996
3. Hon. Goddy Udeibe Commissioner 2014-2015
4. Hon. Mrs. Nweze Deputy Council Chairman 2011-2015
5.Hon Solomon I Use
ENSIEC commissioner
2019-Date
*OWELLI TOWN*
Nill
*OUR PRAYERS BEFORE ENUGU,AWGU PDP STAKEHOLDERS AND POWER BROKERS*
From the forgoing, it is very easy to comprehend the level of injustice against the good people of Owelli Town despite her contributions in the early civilization and evangelism of old Awgu division.
From whichever prism you are viewing it from, Owelli Town deserves to be compensated & consoled politically and rewarding her with chairmanship slot won’t be a crime but a way forward and the beginning of healing process.
On a second note they are most qualified for the office of the chairman because it is the turn of Ntegbe clan in Mbanabo South and her co-Ntegbe brother (Ogugu Town) in Mbanabo South have had enough share of power slots by producing Two Awgu LGA Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Two commissioners and many more.
Therefore the people of Owelli Town are saying with a unified voice that while still maintaining equity, fairness, justice and without the jettisoning sharing formula in Mbanabo(Ntegbe&Awaa) and Awgu LGA, they should be supported to produce the next chairman of Awgu LGA and based on political expediency,since they have never tasted/represented Awgu North,Awgu LGA and greater Awgu in any elective or appointive position before now provided we present an electable and acceptable candidate.
In the same vein,we equally call upon Our Amiable, Dynamic and Digital Governor, Enugu Awgu PDP stalwarts and decision molders, our brother towns and Neighbors in Awgu North to give Owelli Ntegbe in Mbanabo South, the privilege of producing the incoming chairman of Awgu since other towns in Awgu North have all had their share of power slots and allotments.
Finally,
Election, Power tussle will surely come and go as usual but one thing is sacrosanct,We are brothers and shall continue to be till the end of Time.
*Bye and large conscience is the best judge of human conducts, therefore let our conscience guide us as we prepare for Awgu 2024 LG Election*
God bless Mbanabo People.
God bless Awgu LGA
God bless Enugu PDP stakeholders
God bless Enugu state
Long Live Governor Peter Ndubisi Mba
Accept my highest regards of honor
*Equator* (Cmr Nonso Okonkwo) writes from Abuja
