Traditional Rulers and leaders from Ariam-Usaka clan in Ikwuano LG of Abia State on Friday rejected plans by the Ikwuano Development Union-Federated (IDU-F) to alter the existing charter of equity which rotates elective offices amongst the four clans making up the LG.


"This rotational principle has maintained peace in Ikwuano for over 25 years, especially in Local Government Chairmanship and State House of Assembly positions", they stated in a communique signed by HRH Eze Joseph N. Obaji and HRH Eze Ambros O. Nwagwu


Other leaders of the clan who signed the signatory include  the Deputy Mayor, Chief Charles Ugboajah, Chief B.C. Mgbaramuko; Dr. Kenneth Osuh; Amb. Emmanuel Ekomanna; Comr. Sunny Olunkwa; Prince Henry Eleogu and Comr. Lemmy Odoemelam


They maintained that the rotation of offices which had ensured peace amongst the four clans should be sustained and not jettisoned for any reason.

"Any proposed new sharing formula of North and South as being conceived by the leadership of IDU-F, headed by an Oloko Clan son amounts to betrayal, deceit and selfishness which is an "idea dead on arrival", because you cannot climb through a ladder to the top and remove it for others not to climb", they argued 

The full communique reads as follows:

Ariam Usaka Development Union-Federated (AUDU-F)

Our Communique 

Rejection Of Selfish Schemes To Change Ikwuano Political Landscape


The Ariam/Usaka Development Union-Federated (AUDU-F) and the entire Ariam/Usaka Clan reject the selfish scheme by Ikwuano Development Union-Federated (IDU-F) to alter the existing political arrangements in Ikwuano.


Key Points:

1. Ikwuano LGA comprises four independent clans: Ariam/Usaka, Ibere, Oboro, and Oloko, which share benefits and costs through equitable rotation.


2. This rotational principle has maintained peace in Ikwuano for over 25 years, especially in Local Government Chairmanship and State House of Assembly positions.


3. The rotational principle started with Late Barr. K. C. Ugboajah's tenure and should continue with Ariam/Usaka to avoid disrupting the norm.


4. Oloko Clan enjoyed the rotation principal during the tenure of Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi as a member of Abia State House of Assembly, and Chief Stephen Mpamugo as the Executive Chairman of Ikwuano LGA. "He who goes to equity must go with clean hands".


5. To sustain this peaceful rotational principle, it must not be negated in disrespect and abandonment of how past leaders held and/or occupied the respective offices.


6. Any proposed new sharing formula of North and South as being conceived by the leadership of IDU-F, headed by an Oloko Clan son amounts to betrayal, deceit and selfishness which is an "idea dead on arrival", because you cannot climb through a ladder to the top and remove it for others not to climb


      Such new principle       

  proposed by IDU-F will       

      be unsuccessful, as   

      Chief Steve Mpamugo 

      and Hon. Stanley   

      Nwabuisi from Oloko    

      Clan have already  

      demonstrated that the 

      principle of 

      North-South equity 

      rotation is not 

      feasible. During their 

      tenure as LGA 

      Chairman and House 

      member, respectively,  

      within the same 

      political dispensation, 

      they successfully 

      negated this principle.


7. IDU-F's new electoral formula is late and subjective, as consultations have already begun and costs borne by prospective aspirants.


8. The current/sitting Mayor's appearance at the IDU-F meeting on August 30, 2024, was a psychological ploy to sway members' minds. It is unfortunate that IDU-F would resort to such tactics to deceive the entire Ikwuano community.


9. AUDU-F unequivocally rejects this illegality and the "North-South candidacy" argument as a futile effort. We consider it an attempt to disrupt the established order.

 

10. AUDU-F hereby withdraws from this illicit scheme, which seeks to distort the existing peaceful political arrangement, create chaos, and destabilize the Labour Party. We urge Ikwuano indigenes to hold the IDU-F President and his executive accountable for any consequences arising from their proposed plan.


Signed by:

- Chief B.C. Mgbaramuko

- Dr. Kenneth Osuh.

- Amb. Emmanuel Ekomanna. 

- Comr. Sunny Olunkwa

- Prince Henry Eleogu

- Hon. Chief Charles Ugboajah

- Comr. Lemmy Odoemelam

- HRH Eze Joseph N. Obaji

- HRH Eze Ambros O. Nwagwu