Onitsha Despite police efforts to sabotage the poll, the Okpoko community in Ogbaru Local Government Area was able to organize a peaceful election for the Okpoko Community Development Union (OCDU) thanks to a court order issued by Justice Chukwudi Okaa of the Atani High Court in Anambra State.
In response to concerns from rival groups seeking to disrupt the election, a group of police officers from Okpoko Divisional Headquarters showed up at the Onitsha Holiday Resort Hotel, the polling place, on Friday morning. The stakeholders did, however, provide a November 14, 2024, court order issued by Justice Okaa that prohibited any election-related meddling. The police let the election run smoothly after they saw the directive.
Chief Felix Onunkwo and Chief Isaac Onyenoneke applied on behalf of the 42 Community Ward Chairmen of OCDU against Chief Francis Enemuo and Hon. Chukwudi Ehiobu, and the court gave the directive in Suit No. AT/26/2024.
According to Justice Okaa’s ruling, Chief Francis Enemuo’s and the OCDU Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) term had ended, and they were prohibited from serving in any official role going forward.
The OCDU’s Administrative Secretary, Hon. Chukwudi Ehiobu, was given permission to occupy the union’s facilities and hold the election.
If the community was unable to support the election, the State Commissioner for Local Government, Town Union, and Chieftaincy Matters is required to reimburse them N300,000.
Enemuo was mandated to reimburse the plaintiffs for N500,000 in fees.
Okechukwu Odidika was elected president of the newly formed 16-member Central Executive Committee after the OCDU successfully held what it called a credible, peaceful, and transparent election.
