OWERRI WEST: THE AKURUNWA/ACHUGBUO LED AVU TOWN UNION FACTIONS DISSOLVED
--fresh election in the offing.
By Innocent Osuoha
The Executive Chairman of Owerri West Local Government Area, Hon Chief Victor Osigwe, Ikeoha, has dissolved the factional Avu Town Union Executives.
The dissolution which was aimed at ensuring peace and unity in the autonomous Community was in response to mounting concerns over the operation of factional Town Union leaderships which have reportedly fostered division and disrupted the harmony of the Community.
Rising from a meeting with select Avu Stakeholders, Hon Chief Osigwe explained that the increasing negativity and rising tension surrounding the activities of the day Town Unions had become detrimental to effective governance and overall peace-building efforts in the community.
He then announced that the Council would conduct a fresh election in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in line with the yet to be published Electoral Guidelines as soon as possible..
In their reactions, Dr Obinna Achogbuo and Mr Chibuzor Akurunwa who represented the two factions, said they accepted the decision, so long as it would bring lasting peace in the community.
Each promised to go back and communicate the outcome of the parley to their followers.
Speaking, with an emotion ladden voice, a Community leader, Chief Buchi Oparaugo, decried the state of disorder and mistrust the fractionalization had cost the Community, positing categorically, "that for a community to advance, the operators must eschew bitterness, bickering as well as name-dropping amongst others.
He then restated his desire to remain steadfast and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Avu Community.
Contributing to the peace pact, an elder Statesman from Umuguma, Commodore Ogechi Osuagwu, (Rtd), fatherly advised that all Court cases be withdrawn for peace to reign.
On behalf of Avu Youths, their President, Comrade Stanley Rowland pledged that the Avu Youth Association (AYA) would support any solution that would bring peace to the Community and assured that the Youths would work with the emerging new Executive.
Others who took turns to express their views at the peace forum which was moderated by Chief Dr Fidel Onyeneke(SECLOG) were Mr Obinna Abara, Elder Vincent Njoku, Pastor Amanze Chukwueke, Engr CY Irechukwu, Oha Nathan Nnadi including Elder Bennett Oparaocha who took the vote of thanks as well as said the closing prayer.while the Seclog,
Hon Kachison Ekwugha( SA Media to the Council Executive Chairman) was also at the forum.