Ahead of Nov. 7 Imo LG Election:
Concerned Okwudor youths urge Igbojekwe to join councillorship race
…insist it is Umuezeala Umuseke’s turn to produce next councillor
By Kelechi Ugo
As political activities intensify ahead of the November 7, 2026 Local Government election in Imo State, concerned youths of Okwudor Ward in Njaba Local Government Area have urged the NULGE Representative of Young Workers, Comrade Eric Jnr. Chima Igbojekwe, to join the race for the councillorship position.
The youths, who described Igbojekwe as a vibrant young man with the capacity to represent the people at the grassroots, said his emergence would provide an opportunity for effective youth participation in local governance.
The call is coming against the backdrop of renewed political consultations and permutations in Okwudor Ward, where stakeholders are reportedly insisting that Umuezeala Umuseke should produce the next councillor in line with an existing rotational arrangement among the villages.
According to sources familiar with the development, traditional and political stakeholders in the Ward had earlier reached and documented an agreement providing for the rotation of the councillorship position among the constituent villages.
The arrangement, the stakeholders said, was designed to promote equity, fairness, peaceful coexistence and a sense of belonging among the various communities within Okwudor Ward.
The reported agreement is also said to have influenced previous political decisions, including the withdrawal of some aspirants from Umuseke in favour of Abazu Village when stakeholders considered it to be Abazu's turn to produce the councillor.
With the 2026 council election approaching, attention has now shifted to Umuezeala Umuseke, with stakeholders maintaining that the community's turn should be respected if the rotational arrangement is to remain credible.
Okwudor Ward comprises eight villages — Umuduruogba, Abazu, Umuseke, Umuokwara, Umuelem, Umuewi, Umufeke and Umuneke — all of which have political and community interests in the leadership of the ward.
The concerned youths argued that respecting the zoning understanding would strengthen unity among the villages and reduce unnecessary rivalry during the election.
They further maintained that beyond zoning, the ability of the eventual candidate to provide effective representation, attract development and maintain cordial relationships among the different communities should remain a major consideration.
Igbojekwe's name, according to the youths, has continued to generate interest because of his youthfulness and perceived grassroots acceptability.
They therefore appealed to him to heed their call and formally join the councillorship contest, describing his participation as an opportunity to bring fresh energy and a new perspective to the representation of Okwudor Ward.
The youths also called on political and traditional leaders in the ward to maintain the spirit of dialogue and consensus as the election draws nearer, stressing that the interest of Okwudor Ward should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
They said adherence to an agreed rotational arrangement would demonstrate fairness and reassure the various communities that their political interests would be respected at the appropriate time.
As political consultations continue ahead of the November 7 poll, attention is now focused on whether the reported consensus in favour of Umuezeala Umuseke will translate into a unified candidacy and ultimately influence the choice of the electorate.
For the concerned youths, however, the immediate priority is clear: they want Comrade Eric Jnr. Chima Igbojekwe to join the race and give Umuezeala Umuseke an opportunity to produce the next councillor for Okwudor Ward.
Post a Comment