Why Umumbo Indigene Deserves to be the Next Ayamelum Council Chairman- Igwe Chidubem

By Our Reporter

The Traditional Ruler of Umumbo community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Simeon Ikechukwu Chidubem has appealed to the Anambra state government and other political stakeholders in the local government to work towards appointing an Umumbo indigene into the chairmanship of the local government.

Igwe Chidubem who made the appeal over the weekend while fielding questions with select newsmen at his Ime- Aboh palace, Ulama, Isamoyi, Umumbo, stressed that it was an act of injustice that the community has never held the chairmanship position in the Ayamelum clan since the arrival of whitemen and subsequent introduction of western administrative structure in Nigeria.

According to him, indigenes of other towns in the local government, except Umumbo had at various times occupied the chairmanship seat of Ayamelum administrative area since the creation of Onitsha Rural Area Native Authority (ORANA) as one of the 22 provincial administrations across Nigeria in April 1947.
“We are calling on Governor (Prof.), Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Speaker, Anambra State of House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Uche Okafor to consider an indigene of Umumbo for the appointment of next chairman of Ayamelum Local Government Area.

“Ayamelum people should know that Umumbo indigenes are part of them and deserve to taste the chairmanship position, especially at this point in time. Zoning the chairmanship position to Umumbo this time will give them a sense of belonging, and ensure equity, fairness, and Justice in the political equation of Ayamelum clan”, he stressed.

The monarch gave a historical rundown of how the chairmanship seats of the area exchanged hands amongst other communities in Ayamelum over the last 75 years without any consideration of Umumbo indigene for either chairmanship appointment or election by the major stakeholders in the area. According to him, the chairmanship positions of the Ayamelum have changed hands about 19 times, and during that period, indigenes of the Omor Community held the posts seven (7) consecutive times, while Anaku indigenes held it three (3) times. Omasi, Umueje, Umerum, and Ifite-Ogwuari have had their shots at the chairmanship position two (2) times respectively at various times while Igwakwu indigene had held it just once.

“The only community in the clan whose citizens are yet to occupy that position yet is Umumbo. It’s unfair that at all these years, no indigene of the Umumbo community has been found worthy of either appointment or election into the chairmanship position of Ayamelum local government”, he said.
The traditional ruler equally commended Governor Soludo for his bold and innovative approach to addressing the development challenges in the state, especially in waging outright war against hoodlums and terrorists.

“The decision of the state government to introduce a digital tax system and eliminate illegal revenue collection in the state is equally commendable. The same can be said of the ongoing effort to clean up our environment.

The government’s decision to declare an emergency on roads infrastructure as well as launch of innovative agricultural revolution initiative is a demonstration of his desire to transform the state. Our expectation is that the government will stay committed to the development initiatives till the end”, he said, while assuring the Governor of Umumbo community’s unflinching support to his administration.