The people of Achalla community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have elected Chief Charles Okadigbo as the new President General of the Achalla Improvement Union.
This followed a dramatic but peaceful grassroots-led electoral process.
Residents turned out in large numbers at Udoka Primary School, Eke Achalla, the official venue of the election as communicated by the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The exercise, however, took an unexpected turn when the reconstituted electoral committee failed to appear at the venue to conduct the election.
The absence of the committee, which had been reconstituted for three-month tenures on three consecutive occasions, sparked outrage among community members.
In response, the people passed a unanimous vote of no confidence on the committee and resolved to take control of the process to avoid further delays and leadership vacuum.
The community nominated one representative from each of the eight villages that make up Achalla and constituted an ad-hoc electoral committee, with Chief Pat Anago as chairman.
The committee immediately dissolved the former town union executive and proceeded to conduct the election using the open ballot system, Option A4.
1986 Achalla constitution
Speaking after the exercise, Chief Anago said the committee relied on the 1986 Constitution of Achalla Community to guide the process.
He announced that Chief Okadigbo polled a total of 923 votes to emerge President General.
The only other aspirant, Chief Nnamdi Ikwune, who had earlier campaigned for the position, did not show up at the venue.
His few supporters eventually queued behind the sole candidate.
The declaration of results sparked jubilation at the venue and across the community, as residents celebrated what many described as a long-awaited return to self-determined leadership.
A former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly who represented Awka North, and the Traditional Prime Minister of Achalla, Onowu John Nwokoye, described the election as peaceful and credible, reflecting the collective will of the people.
Nwokoye congratulated the newly elected President General and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for providing a peaceful and enabling environment that allowed the people to freely choose their leader.
Years of internal crisis
Another community leader and stakeholder, Barrister Patrick Nwora, said Achalla had endured years of internal crisis and stagnation due to poor accountability and lack of transparency under previous leadership.
He urged the new executive to prioritize reconciliation, peace, sincerity, and unity to restore trust and accelerate development in the community.
In his acceptance remarks, Chief Okadigbo thanked the people of Achalla for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to run an inclusive administration.
He promised to reconcile all factions within the community and work towards attracting meaningful development to Achalla and the Awka North Local Government Area at large.
Okadigbo said his leadership would focus on unity, transparency, and people-driven development, marking what he described as a new chapter in the history of Achalla community.
