…Umueze is the Project – Igwe-elect
By Amaechi Agbo
Prince Emeka Ani has emerged the New Igwe of Umueze Awkunanaw Autonomous Community in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State.
Prince Ani was elected the new Igwe on Saturday, April 12, 2025 after he won the Igweship election conducted at the Umueze Primary School.
The Igwe-elect polled a total of 677 votes against 60 scored by his rival, Elder Patrick Nwafor.
Indigenes of the community came out in numbers to cast their vote. The new Igwe will replace Late Igwe Nwankwo Chukwu who died in 2019. Since the demise of the former occupant of the throne, plans to conduct the Igweship election had always hit brick walls.
However, the day was not without dramatic scenes as the election which was earlier scheduled to commence by 10am started by 12noon.
Court Orders Drama
There was drama earlier in the day after the Nigeria Police wanted to stop the election amidst claim of court orders. The Police Area Command Agbani insisted that the election should not go on in view of two court orders they received adding that the order from the Enugu High Court should be obeyed.
The argument which started shortly after the representatives of the Enugu State Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs arrived the venue of the election, enlisted reactions from the crowd who have gathered to cast their votes. While the Police insisted on obeying the court orders, the ministry objected claiming that they were not served any court order restraining the conduct of the election. After several arguments, the police threatened to back off from the election in obedient to the Court orders adding that they will not be involved in providing security for the poll.
Two court orders in support and against the conduct of the election were. While Prince Ani had got a court injunction ordering the election to go ahead as planned, another court order emanating from the camp of Patrick Nwafor sort to stop the election.
ESUT Monitor gathered that while Prince Ani’s Court order was served on April 8, that of Patricks’ was allegedly issued less than 24 hours to the election. Chairman of the Igweship Electoral Committee, Engr Okwudiri Ohaa told the media shortly after the election that nobody served him nor his committee a court order stopping the election.
“We were not served any letter stopping the election. The electoral committee was never served by anybody. Whoever said he served me a copy of the court order should come and tell us.
“The election has been conducted and the wishes of the people prevailed. It is time to rebuild Umueze Community. For over six years, this community had no leader, today, the people have decided,” the Chairman said.
Armed with the two court orders, the police left the venue of the election leaving the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Military to man the election venue.
The arrival of the Chairman, Umueze Awkunanaw Igweship Electoral Committee, Engr. Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa at the venue of the election at about 11:45am ensured that voting commenced by 12noon
We Came to Observe – Ministry
The representatives of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs led by the Director Chieftaincy Matters, Ozoagu Ogochukwu told the Umueze people that the ministry was in the community to observe the election.
While commending the good people of Umueze for ensuring a violent-free exercise, she congratulated the Igwe-elect and charged him to lead the people right.
“On behalf theCommissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo and the Executive Governor of Enugu State, our mission in Umueze is to witness how you are going to conduct your Igweship election. It is the right of the community to conduct the Igweship election and the Ministry officials are here to observe the election. Our Mandate is to observe the election and take our report home. Today will be a great day in the life of Umueze people.
“I want to congratulate the Igwe-elect and once again thank the good people of Umueze for the maturity you displayed today in ensuring a free, fair, peaceful, transparent and hitch-free election. I urge the Igwe-elect to be inclusive and sustain the massive support the people expressed in this election,” she said.
Electoral Committee Chairman Announces Results
The Chairman, Umueze Awkunanaw Igweship Electoral Committee, Engr. Okwudiri Daniel Ohaa while announcing the results of the election, called on the people of the community to support the new igwe to achieve his plans for the people.
Engr. Ohaa who also doubles as the Caretaker President-General Umueze Town Union, said that the Igwe–elect will be known as the Igwe Nezoroha 11 of Umueze Kingdom.
He announced that Prince Emeka Ani polled 677 votes to be declared winner of the election while his rival, Elder Patrick Nwafor got 60 votes. A total of 753 votes were cast while 16 were invalid.
“Our Late Igwe Nezoroha 1 died six years ago. Today, we have gotten the Igwe Nezoroha 11. Six years after, we now have a new Igwe, to the glory of God and the good people of Umueze.
“The total number of votes cast are 753: Valid votes, 737; Invalid votes, 16. Scores by the candidates are as follows: Prince Emeka Ani, 677 votes, making 89.907 per cent. Elder Patrick Nwafor, 60 votes, making 7.968 per cent.
“By the power vested on me as the Electoral Committee Chairman for the Umueze Awkunanaw Igweship Electoral Committee, I hereby declare Prince Emeka Ani, having scored the highest number of votes, the Igwe-elect of Umueze Community,” the chairman said.
Umueze is the Project… Igwe Elect
In his acceptance speech, the Igwe-elect, Prince Emeka Ani thanked the people for choosing him to be their King. While acknowledging that the process leading to the election were challenging, he however noted that the priority is to move Umueze forward.
Prince Ani also emphasised that all the electioneering promises he made to the people would be fulfilled and reiterated his determination to work with the Governments of Enugu State and Nkanu West to bring development to the community.
“I want thank the Enugu State, the ministry as well as the Local Government and everybody who made today a success. Our promise is to always collaborate with the Enugu State, the ministry and the Local Government to ensure that whatever plans they have is implemented in Umueze.
“My appreciation also goes to the Electoral Committee for the great job they did. Despite mounting pressure and all challenges, they remained dogged.
“Today, Umueze is the winner. Six years after the death of our former Igwe, his successor has emerged to the glory of God and well-being of Umueze Kingdom. We will move Umueze forward. All the promises we made during campaign, we will fulfil them and do more. What we need is your support.
“Let me tell everybody including our opponents in this process that election is over and a winner has emerged. The main focus now is Umueze as a project. Let’s come together and join hand to make Umueze great,” the Igwe-elect said.
