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From: Gilbert Ekezie
The Lagos branch of the Alor Development Union (ADU) has inaugurated an 8-man caretaker committee aimed at the streamlining activities of the Lagos branch.
The new committee was set up in March 3.
Recall that there had been leadership problem in the association for some time now, necessitating the inauguration of the new committee appointed by the Alor People’s Convention (APC) of Alor Town in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The committee, led by the interim Chairman, Barrister Okwy Udoagwa, also has Mr. Henry Oraka as Secretary, while Chief Chukwudi Ogbuefi Alexandar, Dr. Ndidi Ngige, Rev. Chukwudi Peace, Mr. Uchenna Ughanze, Mr. Ifeakandu Ezedebego and Mr. Olisa Igbonwa are members.
At the inaugural briefing of the new Executive held at Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State, recently, Udoagwa thanked the Anambra State Government for its mediation and reconciliatory efforts at ensuring peace in the town.
It was recalled that in the last three years, some individuals in the town were reportedly causing disharmony among citizens of the town.
Udoagwa also explained the caretaker committee of ADU Lagos was as a result of supremacy battle between the immediate past leadership of the union in Lagos, with the parent body, the Alor People’s Convention.
He explained that the ADU Lagos branch then, was trying to dictate to the parent body to the extent that they expelled members who agreed to serve in any capacity under the parent body, which kept some of the active members and Alor elite, spellbound.
According to Udoagwa, “It was to me a case of the tail trying to wag the dog, instead of the dog wagging the tail. This is because the constitution of Alor People’s Convention 1992 stated clearly that every ADU member shall be responsible to the Convention.
“But when the immediate past leadership of ADU Lagos branch started flouting with impunity, by neglecting, refusing and failing to abide by its provisions of Alor People’s Convention, it resulted in the dissolution of the executives by the APC.”
Udoagwa stated that the new committee was neither constituted to apportion blame nor pass judgement, but to play a mediatory role by reconciling all warring parties.
He said that the committee was also mandated to organise free, fair and credible election and put in place a duly elected executive who would manage the affairs of ADU Lagos branch in line with provision of APC constitution.
He continued, “We will not act as judges or saints, but peace-makers whom, with all intent and purposes, are desirous to see that genuine peace returns to Alor.
“We, therefore, call on Sen. Chris Ngige and Chief (Engr.) Emeka Eze who also are members of ADU Lagos branch and other Alor elite to assist us in this onerous task of bringing sanity and peace back to ADU Lagos and, by extension, the town.”
The caretaker committee chairman, however, nullified the purported suspension and expulsion of four members of the Union by immediate past executive, in the spirit of reconciliation.
A representative of Alor People’s Convention, Hon. Ndubuisi Udechukwu, explained that the caretaker committee is expected to conclude its assignment within six months.
Udechukwu, therefore, called on all Alor indigenes, resident in Lagos, to give the committee necessary support to bring a lasting peace back to the town.
