Today, June 12 is being celebrated, exactly 30 years after an election adjudged to be the freest and represented the will of the people, was annulled by the powers that be at the time. The day is remarkable for many reasons, the struggle for democratic values, the abuse of power and the place of history. In all of these, we are witnesses to the monumental role each character played and their records in history, as heroes or villains.
In Udu, June has become a significant month in our political history. Notably, on 3rd June 2023, the people of Udu Kingdom, a domain considered monolithic, held their annual National Conference. The momentous event coincided with the end of tenure of the leadership of the socio-cultural group, Union of Udu Communities (UUC). The Union like its counterpart across Nigeria has a constitution upon which its affairs are to be administered. Therein, is a clause whereby the the Ovie of Udu Kingdom could exercise some powers if certain necessary conditions that threatens the peace, security and unity of the Kingdom exist at the time of conducting an election. This was clearly stated in the constitution. While such a condition was never in place prior to the election, a contestant held on to this aspect in order to gain undue advantage over his opponent. How can a man, Chief, holder of Justice of Peace (JP) and Rotarian ever consider passing through this inglorious route of imposition? Like the Nigerian people of June 1993, the Udu people resisted the undemocratic move and insisted that an election must hold in order for them to choose their leaders. This issue created initial fears in the process leading to the election scheduled for 3rd June 2023.
However, when the day eventually came, in Otor-Udu community, the ancestral headquarters of the Udu people, the majority of delegates accredited to the Conference re-echoed their support for popular vote. In this manner, those who wanted the shortcut and campaigned on royal endorsement, but could not get it, shamefully walked out of the venue. Thereafter, the Udu People through their various representatives at the conference stood unanimously and spoke unambiguously through their votes for Mr. Austin Akpotu Emaduku. Therefrom, Mr. Emaduku was elected President General of UUC. He has commenced exercising his duties as a leader. He has helped resolved lingering communal disputes, visiting ongoing government intervention projects as part of community involvement and convened well-attended meetings of community presidents.
Since the election, the other candidate who lost out, has been scheming to illegitimately upturn the will of the Udu people. Rather join hands to contribute to development of the kingdom, it has been revealed that he working to reverse the decision of the udu people. Something that reflects the June 1993 episode, and which could disrupt the palpable state of affairs in Udu Kingdom.
As we celebrate June 12 and its significance, it is also an opportunity to drum it into the ears of those who care to listen. On what path in the annals of our history will they want their names to be recorded? As heroes or villains of Udu Kingdom.
Mr. Joseph Edafekibuebu, a development consultant writes from Lagos