LG Elections: Only AK Ilobi Is Qualified To Rescue Ihiala From Insecurity -- Source Declares

... says incumbent is worst chairman ever

By Raymond Ozoji, Awka

As the Anambra State Local Government Elections beckon, a concerned indigene of Ihiala Local Government Area and a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who preferred anonymity has stated without equivocations that Ogbuehi AK Ilobi is the best and most qualified person to rescue Ihiala from insecurity and underdevelopment.

The source who spoke to HEADLINE NEWS exclusively on Saturday, maintained that Ihiala doesn't need another imposed chairman but someone duly endorsed and elected by the people because the council area has become a shadow of itself in the last six years.

The source therefore lamented as well as remonstrated so bitterly that Ihiala has been overrun with insecurity and economic activities, social and political life in the area have all become extinct such that there are no more convocation grounds in communities for fear of being hurt by miscreants who have organised themselves to unleash terror and mayhem on the council area.

The source noted that it is so heartbreaking and very painful that the legacies of progenitors have been shattered within six years.

The source who stated that he was born and bred in Ihiala, maintained that Ihiala used to enjoy maximum security and a very tranquil atmosphere but according to the source, the reverse is now the case.

It emphasized that as the local government election approached, Ihiala doesn't need an imposed chairman but a chairman that is chosen and elected by the people, for the people and work for the people.

That the most pressing need of Ihiala now is security and any aspirant who doesn't have concrete knowledge of how to address insecurity in Ihiala Local Government Area should withdraw from the contest as the people will no longer tolerate any form of laxity from the next chairman.

The source still reiterated that Ihiala doesn't require a ceremonial chairman without projects or insights as to how to address challenges of insecurity in Ihiala Local Government Area.

It maintained that Ihiala people blame Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for not doing anything in the area but the problem, the source believes is that contractors are afraid of coming to Ihiala to work for fear of being kidnapped or killed.

The source insisted that Ihiala needs a home-bred chairman; a chairman that would carry everyone along not a sectional chairman as allegedly exemplified in the incumbent.

The source was equally of the opinion that it is only when security is restored in Ihiala that meaningful development can be expected, adding that the problem of Ihiala began when individuals started appointing chairmen for the local government; imposing their godsons and housekeepers as chairmen.

The source however maintained that the forthcoming LG Elections in the state was another golden opportunity for Ndi-Ihiala to get it right. It also observed that the likes of Isseke, Osumoghu, Ubuluisiuzo, Lilu, Azia and some other communities in Ihiala 2 state constituency were no longer in existence as they have all been submerged by insecurity.

That the traditional rulers and presidents-general of the aforementioned communities have fled from their communities and living in diaspora over insecurity while those still living therein live at the mercy and directions of miscreants.

The source who told HEADLINE NEWS that he was denied Ihiala chairmanship position twice by socalled stakeholders, mentioned Hon. Ifeanyi Odimegwu and Hon. Kingsley Obi (Saudi) as the only TC chairmen who did concrete verifiable projects in Ihiala during their time in office.

The source maintained that the incumbent is the worst chairman to run Ihiala Local Government Area as he doesn't understand the system even as the source revealed that plans are being intensified to smuggle him in through the backdoor again.

The source stressed that Ihiala is now in its worst state and only if the right thing is done and the right person elected, Ihiala will plunge further into the abyss.

The source made it categorically clear that Ogbuehi AK Ilobi is not his friend but have only heard about his achievements in the security of lives and property in Ihiala.

That of all the dramatis personae brandishing themselves as suitable for the post of Ihiala Local Government Chairman, Ogbuehi AK Ilobi is the one who has what it takes to address the insecurity in Ihiala Local Government Area.

The source who described Ogbuehi AK Ilobi as a man with a very large heart and one who has come out to sacrifice his life for the people, recalled that Ogbuehi AK Ilobi's house at Uli was burnt down by unknown gunmen for attending a political function in Awka.

The source noted that it was the horrible experience of his burnt building that propelled him to lead the war against insecurity in his hometown Uli and according to the source, Uli is now one of the safest communities in Ihiala after Okija, courtesy of the gallant efforts of Ogbuehi AK Ilobi, adding that Ihiala will still be where it is, if it continues to look for professors, engineers and other elites to be at the helm of affairs in the local government.

That he has assessed all those declaring to run Ihiala Local Government and believes Ogbuehi AK Ilobi is the best amongst all of them.

Meanwhile another indigene of Ihiala Local Government, Mr. Enzo Uzodimma Nzeribe, who spoke in favour of the incumbent TC Chairman, said the chairman is totally in charge of the security situation in Ihiala. Nzeribe said the TC chairman keeps in touch with the Army, Police and other security agencies just to ensure that Ihiala is safe and secured.

That the TC chairman is equally in touch with the presidents-general, women leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders in Ihiala to ensure that their communities and wards are safe and protected from external aggressors.

That the crime rate in Ihiala Local Government Area has reduced drastically courtesy of the efforts of the local government boss even as he pointed out that the ten towns in the council area now enjoy relative peace.

Also the Transition Committee Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Area, Engr. Anayochukwu Orjiakor, who responded to the allegations of him being the worst TC Chairman in Ihiala, said he was just nine months old in the office but with visible metamorphosis.

Orjiakor noted that it is only the people of Ihiala that can testify to his monumental achievements in the last nine months compared to what used to be five years ago.

He however stressed that he is seeking reelection to enable him do more for the people of Ihiala Local Government Area.