There is tension in Umuodu- Umuihugba community in Owerri Municipal in Imo State as youths of the community have demanded for the immediate conduct of youth election
They passed a Vote of No Confidence on Mr. Christopher Nwaneri and his executive because they have refused to leave office as the Chairman and Exco of Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Organisation after the expiration of their tenure.
They also called for the immediate set up of a Caretaker Committee to conduct the youth election within a given time frame.
The youth, while protesting peacefully on major roads and streets of Owerri, expressed regret that the Nwaneri led executive has continued to stay in office after the expiration of their tenure, describing the anomaly as unconstitutional and an act of illegality.
In a communique signed by over 500 youths of the community which was issued to newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting and protest convened by all the past youth Chairmen of Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Organisation, held on Thursday, they unanimously agreed “that the constitutional two years tenure of the present youth executive led by Mr. Christopher Nwaneri (Bula) has elapsed and their continued stay in office is unconstitutional and illegal”.
The past Chairmen: Comr Innocent Akunna, Comr. Emeka Ozurumba, Comr Anayo Igwe, Comr. Osita Udemba, Comr. Onyewuchi Onuoha and Comr. Kelechi Nwagbaraocha, Comr.Tony Chukwu, in a signed statement added that “the youth body had therefore unanimously passed a Vote of No Confidence on the executive sequel to the above”.
They stated that “the entire youth body mandated the past Youth Chairmen of the community to convey the illegality/anomaly to the Sole Administrator of Owerri Municipal Council for his expeditious intervention”.
The youth affirmed that “the Forum mandated the past Youth Chairmen of the community to urgently interface with the SOLAD, with a view to setting in motion the process of peaceful election”, saying “as Umuihugba/Umuodu is part of the Owerri Municipality that accommodates Douglas House, the State Government cannot afford to grapple with youth restiveness at this time that the LGA elections are around the corner”.
While demanding the immediate set up of a caretaker committee to conduct a fair and free youth election within a given time frame, the youth said that they are peaceful, law abiding and diplomatic, stressing that they are pushing for the peace, orderliness and progress of their community as their voice is the voice of God.
The former youth Chairmen also noted that security agencies in the state have been formally notified of their call and agitation for a fresh, free and democratic election for Umuihugba/Umuodu Youth Organisation.