From Magnus Eze, Enugu

People of Ogui Nike in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State have insisted it is their turn to produce the chairman of the council in the forthcoming election, slated for October 2024.

President General, Ifesinachi Alum, insisted there was a zoning arrangement, which was to have their son clinch the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s House of Assembly ticket in the 2023 general election, but that was thwarted due to the ambition of Ibenaku Onoh, then member of the state legislature.

According to him, the former lawmaker’s re-election bid was against the spirit of an existing rotation agreement and the advice of his elder cousin, Joseph Onoh.

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Alum, who briefed newsmen in Enugu on the looming political impasse, recounted that but for the insistence of Ibenaku Onoh, the Assembly position would have been zoned to Ogui Nike community. He said when the lawmaker insisted and clinched the PDP’s ticket, they still voted for him with the hope that he will support Ogui Nike to secure the party’s ticket during the council poll.

“Even after losing the 2023 House of Assembly election, Ibenaku Onoh came with his people to thank the people of Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike communities for their support. It is very surprising to now know that he is gearing up to contest the upcoming local government election, which ordinarily should be the turn of Ogui Nike.

“Therefore, we are begging Governor Peter Mbah to help stop this injustice being unleashed on the people of Ogui Nike,” Alum said.

A major stakeholder in the area, Joseph Onoh, recently visited leaders of Ogui Nike and Umunevo Ogui Nike communities, where he argued that the 2024 chairmanship of Enugu North council should automatically be zoned to Ogui Nike.