Oduba emerges Eze-elect of proposed Obasi-Amaraku Aut. Community

The Traditional Prime Minister of Amaraku Ancient Kingdom, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, High Chief Aloysius Chigozie Oduba popularly addressed as Aku Nwata 1 of Amaraku, has been elected as the Eze-elect of the proposed Obasi-Amaraku Autonomous Community.

Oduba who contested among two other aspirants, won overwhelmly with 210 votes, while the other participants – Nwadike Charles and Anthony Chukwuemeka Ohanwe got three (3) votes each as option A4 was adopted, where people had to cue behind the candidate they are supporting.

The result was announced by the Electoral Chairman, Chief Hon. Sir Nwagwu Victor .N.

This took place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at Umuezedim Hall Umuobasi Amaraku in the LGA.

Daily Nigerian Horn gathered that the people chose rotation on Popular choice for the selection of their traditional ruler, and agreed that the contest will begin from their senior village; Umuezeala in Umuobasi. According to them, the form for the election was made open for every indigen of the village to purchase.

Addressing the people during the celebration of his victory at his residence in the LGA, Chief Oduba appreciated them, asserting that he is elated they found him worthy for such responsibility.

He assured of not disappointing in the confidence they have reposed in him, adding that he will lead them with the fear of God, with His help, and guidance.

Promising to uphold the culture and tradition of the land, and ensuring that it is highly respected, the Eze-elect added that he will do whatever that is within his power to ensure what is due the people from the State Government gets to them.

He continued, “I have served, and have been trained by the diverse traditional rulers in Amaraku, and so I am acquitted with what it takes to be your traditional ruler,’Oduba asserted’.

He therefore called on everyone including the ones that are aggrieved for one reason or the other to join hands with him in ensuring they achieve their autonomy and make their community progress.

He appreciated all the leaders of the community; the women who unrelentlessly continued singing and dancing over is victory, the committee that organized the election for making the day a reality and celebrating with him.

Speaking earlier, the Amaraku Ward Councilor Ifeanyi Nwabugwu, representing the Isiala Mbano Chairman, noted that he was elated how they came out en mass to elect a traditional ruler for the proposed Obasi-Amaraku Autonomous Community.

Nwabugwu stated that they have made the right choice as the Eze-elect has proven himself to be worthy of such office through what he is doing for his people. He cited among others, how the TPM, has registered 100 persons from Amaraku for the Health Insurance Scheme introduced by the State Government, which he said will begin on June 4, 2025.

Adding his voice, the President General of the Amaraku Ancient Kingdom, Barr. Okechukwu Chimezie, who averred that he is outrightly in support of the proposed autonomous community, appreciated the people on how they are handling the whole process, which lead to the election of an Eze-elect.

Saying that he is also present in the ceremony to represent the Traditional Ruler of Amaraku, reposed his confidence on the Eze-elect, Chief Oduba saying that he has no doubt he will judiciously serve the people when the autonomy is granted.

The Chairman of the Umuobasi Development Union, Chief Davidson Ndubuisi Onwubuariri, who brought the idea of them seeking to have autonomy, and his Secretary, Chief Cosmas Amadi, expressed joy, saying that they are gladdened that the election went well, and that soon they will join the other four communities that make up Amaraku, in gaining their own autonomy.

They assured the Eze-elect of their support, and called on the people, especially the other contestants to join hands with him in advancing the community forward, believing that it would be there turn someday.

Also speaking, a former President General of Amaraku Ancient Kingdom, Chief Sir Barr. Emma Nwosu appreciated the Community Development Union Chairman for bringing up the idea of the autonomy, saying that he is joyful that everything is going on smoothly to the point of the election.

Nwosu described Oduba’s emergence as a welcome development, averring,”When there was catastrophy in Amaraku, in 1986, Chief Oduba as a young man, was the first person to begin football competition for the youths of Amaraku as a way of uniting the people. This garnered him the Aku Nwata title. He has been offering his unalloyed service to the people, and so deserves such honour,’ Nwosu stated.

Others who took turns in expressing joy over the whole process were – Chief Sir Hon. Nwagwu Victor .N., who doubles as the Committee Chairman for the Autonomous Community Creation, and the Electoral Chairman, Archdeacon in the community, Venerable Sam Nwabugwu, Chief Donatus Uchegbu, Chief Nicholas Akalazu, Chief Godwin Nwosu, Chief Lawrence Obialor, Barr. Peter Oduba, JP., Mr. Loveday Iwuji among others.