BY ORIOHA IKENNA#
Youths of Umuihugba/Umuodu autonomous community in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo state have sued for fairness and accountability.
The youths operating under the aegis of “Tuwa Cabal” stated this when they paid a solidarity visit to their traditional ruler, HRH, Eze Linus Arthur Ihebom at his Palace recently.
The youths said they visited the traditional ruler to familiarize and identify with because they are happy with his kingship and how well he has been handling the collective affairs of their community.
According to Mr. Onyealusi Henry Azuoma led “Tuwa Cabal Group” who is contesting for Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Chairmanship he and members of the youth group pledged their loyalty to the autonomous status of Umuodu community.
He said “We are very happy for the leadership of HRH, Eze Linus Arthur Ihebom. We are also glad that we are today enjoying our autonomy because freedom is not negotiable.
“We are here today to identify with you, to prove to you that we are solidly behind you having recognized your throne and to also clear doubts, differences and allegations of propaganda against us by few persons who hijack and squander funds meant for the youths, the community, the Eze and his Cabinet Chiefs.
“We are resisting their obnoxious, criminal and wicked trait against our land, we are saying no to these cabal of youths who are leading us wrongly and greedily” he said
Azoma, who said he is vying for the Chairmanship position of Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Association promised to turn things around for the good of all in the community.
He appealed his kinsmen to consider him and vote for him to be their next youth Chairman, noting that it is the turn of Umudike village to be Chairman of Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Association.
He informed the Eze’s cabinet he has empowered several youths and if voted in as Chairman he is going to be accountable, lead fairly for the interest of all persons at the community.
In his contribution, Mr. Onyeukwu Innocent, who is aspiring for Secretary Position said his motivation to join the contest after intense pressure from many quarters in the community is to add value to the running of the affairs of the youth body in the community. He urged the youths to see themselves as fearless youth activists, stating that his aspiration is driven by the need to rescue the youths from the grip of few persons.
In his remarks, a former Youth Chairman, Mr. Ozurumba said the group came to identify with the traditional ruler and seek his blessings ahead of the Youth election in the community. He said there is need for a change in the youth leadership in the community because of the fraudulent manner the present leadership has run the affairs of the council.
Welcoming the youths to his Palace, HRH, Eze Linus Athur Ihebom, the Ihuodu I of Umuihugba/Umuodu community promised to always support positive minded youths to contribute to peace, success and progress of the community, advising them to continue to be of good charge.
