By Abbanobi – Eku Onyekachi
The Anambra State Towns People Association (ASTPA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has reelected its President General (PG), Sir Arinze Anadu (Nwachinemelu) to serve the association for another tenure.
The election was conducted at the Christian Pilgrims Board in Wuse, Abuja.
Although the holders of the positions of Sectary and his Assistant; Provost and his Assistant; Public Relations Officer and his Assistant, were returned unopposed, but those relected alongside with Anadu were Tagbo Metu, Ogbuagu Obinna, Udemba Okey, Ndubuisi Okeke, Sunday Uchendu for the positions of Chief Welfare, Legal Adviser, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Vice President respectively.
The reelected President in his acceptance speech declared that there reelection was victory for all.
Making the declaration in his acceptance speech shortly after they received certificates of return, he said: “While thanking you for your efforts towards moving ASTPA to attain its enviable position, I declare today that the winnings to different positions by contestants as well as mine are for everybody.
“In order to achieve common aims and objectives of this great Association, I assure you of running an all inclusive administration which will accommodate everybody in the running of the affairs of ASTPA. There is magnanimity in my victory.
“My people, while I appeal for your supports in running the affairs of this great Association, I assure you that the new Executive is open to constructive criticism and advice where necessary, as no one knows it all. With God on our side, I promise to not only improve upon what we started but also, to come up with positive ideas, transformations and innovations.”
The first chairman of the association, Chief James Agubalu, who later became the Association’s PG, and now the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, commended the electoral committee for coming out with free, fair and transparent election.
Agubalu therefore advised the newly elected executive to ensure that the aims and objectives of ASTPA are achieved.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the electoral committee, Obi Manafa said that the reason why he was called to conduct the elections was because he peacefully conducted the elections of those whose tenure had elapsed. Although, he admitted that the multitude of people who came for the election threw fear into him, but by the grace of God, according to him, he and his members were able to conduct peaceful elections, even as he thanked ASTPA members for cooperation.
Similarly, the ASTPA wise men, Amaechi Ezeokoye and the Managing Director of Elibond Nigeria Limited, Chief Emeka Umebido. Ezeokoye said that the reason why he has all the time been supporting the reelected PG, was due to his leadership acumen, saying that Anadu has introduced many inovations in the Association. Calling for his support for the ASTPA to continue to move forward, Ezeokoye advised Ndi Anambra within and outside the country to be investing at home, for safety and benefit of all. He also called for the support of the government in power in the state and hailed the PG for securing estate for Ndi Anambra in the state.
However, Umebido on his own called for: unity of members; ensuring that there be inclusive leadership; support for the new executive; bringing in new members and; ability to forgive each other if there is anyone who has been offended.
The PRO of the ASTPA, Prince Uzochukwu Onwuneme, who spoke at length on the need for all hands to be on deck to move the Association forward, promised to do everything legitimately possible to give the Association its deserved services, even as he said that he bought the idea of forming all inclusive administration.
Recalled that ASTPA, an association of all the Anambra state communities in the FCT, has on Tuesday held election after the expiration of the tenure of its executive in power.
