By Zika Bobby
A candidate in the Oba traditional rulership contest, Chief Chukwuma Ananti, has called for full implementation of the consent judgment which provides that the election into the position shall be based on zoning.
Ananti, in a statement, commended the Anambra Government for voiding the December 21, 2024 election.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, who announced the cancellation of the election said it was conducted against a pending matter in court and would not be recognised by the government.
Nwabunwanne said there was no traditional ruler or Igwe Cabinet in Oba Community because there is a pending court matter relating to the conduct of the traditional rulership election when it was conducted.
Ananti said that even though the said election was illegal and voided by the Anambra State Government, the beneficiary of the botched exercise was still parading himself with utter defiance.
Ananti further said that on receiving the cancellation notice by the Commissioner, he made a video message informing all his supporters and his Isu village that the election would no longer be held.
Ananti said recommendations of the Anambra State House Assembly’s public petition committee on the nullified election directed a fresh election in compliance with the principles contained in the consent judgement, which was by zoning.
He said some had shown demonstrable bias in the contest through their insistence to conduct the failed election in defiance to governments directive and refusal to implement the judgement on zoning.
He called on the President General to recuse himself from the exercise going forward and step aside as he and the people of Isu village were no longer confident in his neutrality and ability to conduct a free and fair election.