From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Ozo Samuel Ekesi on Saturday, 28th December, 2024, emerged as the new traditional ruler of Ahani-Achi autonomous community in Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu state.
He polled a total of 609 votes to beat his rival and kinsman, Ozo Ken Imachukwu, who secured a total of 547 votes.
The election, which was conducted at Ahani community primary school field, featured voters from the four villages namely,Gbaragu,Okpuno,Oruchi and Umuelewe.
The eight-member electoral committee headed by Hon.Ferdinand Ezeh, used option A4 system, which saw to accredited voters from each of the four villages queuing behind their preferred candidate, one village after the other.
The head count was done by members of the electoral committee monitored by officials from the ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, under the watch of representatives of the two candidates.
Indigenes of Gbaragu village were the first to be identified and to vote. Out of the 274 accreditated voters, Ozo Samuel Ekesi gained 230 support while Ozo Ken Imachukwu had 44.
In Okpuno, out of the 463 accreditated indigenes, Ozo Samuel Ekesi had 221 supporters and 242 went for Ozo Ken Imachukwu. In Oruchi village, Ozo Ekesi had 22 against 76 who vouched for Ozo Ken Imachukwu.
In Umuelewe, it was 136 for Ozo Ekesi and 185 for Ozo Ken Imachukwu.
The Chairman of the electoral committee, Hon. Ferdinand Ezeh, after thorough confirmation of the figures from members of his committee and officials from the ministry of Chieftaincy affairs, declared Ozo Samuel Ekesi as the winner of the keenly contested election, having polled a total of 609 out of the total accreditated votes of 1156, while Ozo Ken Imachukwu pulled 547 votes.
The Enugu state commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Deacon Okey Ogbodo,who was ably representated by a deputy director in the Chieftaincy Affairs,Mrs Ogochukwu Ozoagu, commended the election as very transparent, free and fair.
In line with the rules and support of the rest of her team from the Chieftaincy Affairs ministry, dhe presented a Certificate of Returns to Ozo Samuel Ekesi.
However, she explained the authentication of his election as the new traditional ruler of Ahani-Achi autonomous community is pending till the final confirmation by the Governor of Enugu state.
She urged the town Union Executives to commence the processes of his recognition foremost by presenting Ozo Samuel Ekesi to the OJi River Local Government Chairman as the new traditional ruler of Ahani-Achi autonomous community.
In his acceptance speech, Igwe Samuel Ekesi expressed gratitude to the entire people of Ahani Achi community,promising to work on the interest of all. He pleaded for unity and peaceful co existence to be maintained in the community,stating his kingship will prosper and project the interest of all.
The December 28 Igweship election in Ahani-Achi autonomous community was a re-run aftermath of the cancellation of the Sunday, December 1 election held at the same venue, which was declared inconclusive by the electoral committee and monitoring team from Chieftaincy Affairs ministry, over alleged irregularities.
The zeal of the people of Ahani Achi community to elect a new traditional ruler was neccessitated by the demise of their first king, late Igwe Dr.Raph Nzekwe,took center stage in the community, as soon as his one year funeral rites ended in February, 2024.
