It’s been 13 days since the peaceful and transparent Igweship election was conducted in Alor-Agu community, Igbo-Eze South LGA, Enugu State, yet, the official results are still being withheld. This delay has sparked rising tension, deep concern, and questions from community members who came out in their numbers to peacefully vote for their preferred candidates.
The election, which saw a large turnout, was conducted openly, with votes counted line by line in front of everyone, including government officials, security agents, community elders, and the general public. By the time the final vote was counted, both candidates: Mr. Christian Ugwuanyi and Hon. Okwudili Omeke, and their supporters had full knowledge of the results. The people watched the process closely. Many recorded the counting. There were no incidents of violence or malpractice.
Mrs. Ogochukwu Ozoagu, who led the delegation from the Enugu State Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs, made it clear that her team was not empowered to announce results. She said only the Electoral Committee Chairman, Engr. Obumneke Eze, had the authority to declare the outcome. However, shockingly, Engr. Obumneke disappeared from the scene immediately after the votes of Hon. Omeke were counted, without declaring a winner. This unexpected withdrawal has raised suspicions and public outcry since the election day, 25th March, 2025.
Even more puzzling is that after disappearing from public view, Engr. Obumneke waited over 10 days before quietly submitting his report to the Ministry. His failure to declare the results at the venue, despite being the only legally authorized person to do so, has left the people of Alor-Agu in the dark.
Why did he refuse to declare the results? Why wait for nearly two weeks before submitting the report? What is in the report that cannot be read out to the people who voted?
Sources claim that the delay may be because the outcome did not favour his preferred candidate, Hon. Okwudili Omeke. But governance and leadership should be about the will of the people, not individual interests.
Now, the people of Alor-Agu are calling on His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to intervene swiftly. The silence from the Ministry is not only frustrating but also a threat to peace and democracy in the community.
“Your Excellency, we appeal to you to ensure justice is done. We voted peacefully. We know the results. All we ask is that you help uphold the truth. Please do not let the will of the people be silenced,” one community elder pleaded emotionally.
Alor-Agu has spoken. The people have voted. The time to declare the results is now.
