By Raymond Ozoji, Awka
The traditional monarch of Ojoto community in Idemili-South Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness Igwe Gerald Obunadike Mbamalu, has stated that those planning to dethrone him were the individuals behind the attempt to disrupt the Ojoto Town Union election.
Mbamalu, in response to allegations of imposing preferred candidates leveled against him by a group in the community called Concerned Citizens of Ojoto, who had engaged in a protest at the Government House to fabricate false accusations against him, categorically denied any involvement in the conduct and outcome of the election.
The aforementioned Concerned Citizens of Ojoto had visited the Government House to assert that the traditional ruler forced the candidate who emerged as the President-General on them.
They also claimed that the traditional ruler attempted to influence the election of the Secretary and Vice President-General of the town union. However, Igwe Mbamalu dismissed all these claims as fabrications made by his opponents, emphasizing that he was not present at the election venue.
He clarified that he was absent when one of the candidates for the position of President-General, Professor Ralph Okigbo, voluntarily withdrew from the race and the other contestant also relinquished his ambition, leading to the person who ultimately won the position unopposed on the election day.
Mbamalu stated that he was not present when certain individuals disrupted the election process midway for their personal gain. He highlighted that he is from Ojoto South, while the President-General who emerged is from Ojoto North, expressing bewilderment over the unfounded assertions and claims being made.
He said, “Imposition implies the absence of an election. What occurred was an attempt to impose candidates, but the majority insisted on having an election. Therefore, what they are saying is untrue.
“The town union conducted their election. I was not there. During the election, they realized that their candidate was losing, so they attempted to disrupt the process. The Commissioner was compelled to adjourn the election and invited them to Awka on April 4th for a meeting.
“I did not attend the meeting in Awka with them. They reached an agreement with the Commissioner to return and verify the delegates, and the election was properly conducted on April 6th.
“On April 6th, the two mentioned candidates were disqualified, but the delegates rejected this because their Constitution does not permit disqualification.
“There were three individuals vying for the position of President-General. After the meeting in Awka, one person withdrew, and on the election day, the other contender stepped down, allowing the President-General to emerge.
“The first person to withdraw was Professor Ralph Okigbo, and the second person stepped down on the election day. So, how did I impose the President-General? I did not even show up at the election venue while all these events were unfolding. The people who conducted the election documented their report and signed it.
“Thus, it is the same individuals who protested against my ascension as the traditional ruler of Ojoto Kingdom that are now spreading false claims and fabricating lies against me.
“I was not present at the election they conducted on April 4th. They reported the details to me. I was not present during the meeting they had with the Commissioner in Awka. So, how could I impose candidates on them? Even the delegates for the election were chosen by the chairmen of the eight villages in Ojoto community.
“The outgoing President-General informed the village chairmen to select delegates from their respective Umunna for the election. Consequently, I cannot understand how I imposed candidates because I did not select delegates from the Umunna kindred.
“I am not the one who sent accredited delegates to the town union election. Additionally, the Commissioner for Local Government conducted picture verification of the delegates before the election took place.
“Some individuals thought they could hijack the town union election, just as they interrupted it on April 4th. However, Ojoto town remains peaceful and progressive.”