From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
It was total confusion yesterday along major roads in Awka, the state capital as protesters took over the major roads insisting that Governor Willie Obiano conduct local government election in the State.
The ever busy Enugu/Onitsha expressway, it’s old road counterpart, Eke Awka market, state government secretariat, State House of Assembly complex and other roads were blocked by the protesters.
The protesters mandated the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to within five months conduct council poll or face more mass action.
Convener, Recover Nigeria Project, Comrade Osita Obi, while addressing the populace recalled that they had on September 16 wrote to the state government, and demanded for immediate conduct of the polls to ease the suffering of those at the grassroots.
Obi, who said that refusal to hold elections at grassroots were depriving Anambra state democratic dividends at grassroots, development as well as causing unemployment to majority that would have become gainfully employed as elected officers and others.
He appealed to Anambra state House of Assembly members, local government workers (NULGE), and the entire populace to join in the struggle, adding that when democratic government were rooted, that tipper drivers would not be exploited through over taxation even as former counsellors would receive all their unpaid entitlements.
Comrade Obi said: “If elections are held in the local government areas, it will create jobs, reduce insecurity and serve as breeding ground for good politicians. I championed the struggle for local government election in Anambra during former Governor Peter Obi’s administration and it was held,” he stated.
Earlier, the state chairman, Great Tippers Association, Chief Ebuka Davies, and his counterpart of State Councillors Association, Mr. Godson Nnuriam, said it was infringement of the people’s political right not to allow the populace to elect their leaders at the grassroot levels in a democratic system.
Commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Chief C-Don Adinuba had raised alarm warning the protesters particularly the tipper drivers not to breech the peace in the state.
