By NewsCritic Reporters
As controversy continues over the rightful occupant to the Village Head Stool of Umuoriehi-Isingwu, A member of the Isingwu Autonomous Community Eze-in-council, and one of the candidates that contested for the office Elder Chief Enoch Madubuike, has explained that he emerged the favourite candidate and choice of the people because he is the eldest in the line of succession to the office of the Village Head.
Speaking in an interview with NewsCritic online following the controversy and tension his alleged presentation and recognition as village head by a faction is generating, the factional Village Head expressed his happiness to be so honoured by the people of Umuoriehi as their Village Head. He said they took him to the palace of the Ngwu IV of Isingwu Autonomous Community, HRH Eze Daniel Ifeanyichukwu Ukaegbu where he was capped as the Village Head of Umuoriehi in the presence of the Cabinet Chiefs, saying there is no controversy whatsoever with his coronation.
According to Chief Enoch Madubuike, his presentation at the Eze’s Palace on Saturday 24 February, 2024 was greeted with wild jubilation and fanfare in the village with the elders, men, women and youths proclaiming him the Village Head in unison.
He said that he has never seen at any point in time that the position of the Village head is voted for, saying that rather it is an honour reserved for the elderly.
“Now I’ve two elders before me and they declined on health grounds and they were there throughout the proceedings and also present during the coronation. So, what I’m saying is that this election they said they did, how can three persons indicate interest to vie and one person went for election according to their report. I know that whom honour is due should be given. I’m the eldest in Madubuike’s family at the moment because the other brother is not fit. Uzo Madubuike is a junior boy to me… he ate in my house and these people are just flocking around him because of money, Chief Madubuike claimed.
Speaking further on the demands of his new office, Chief Enoch Madubuike disclosed that as Village Head, he would ensure there is peace, security and love in his domain. “I’m not coming to revisit whatever misdemeanour they have done in the past. Those things that are gone should be gone, for me I want a united Umuoriehi Village, he insists.
He stated “How many are we that they keep ostracizing our people everybody, those that disagree with them, you can count it. I told them that if you keep pushing people out, that one of these days those people may form a community of themselves… In fact, our traditional ruler God will bless that man, he is such a wonderful man. The type of insults he has received from Umuoriehi, that now Umuoriehi is branded the village of trouble in Isingwu.
“So, I promise that I will work harmoniously with the new executives that would be elected in Easter, I will proffer solutions to all this insecurity in the village, all the acrimony and disunity. I promise to propel this village to a good footing until the end of my time, he remarks.
