By Charles Ojobo
Chief Gilbert Nnadi, the Igwe-elect of Ideke-Iheaka in Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Tuesday, called on his co-contestants for the throne to close ranks with him to move the community forward.
Chief Nnadi stated this at Iheaka immediate after he won the election against two other contestants. He also called for the sustenance of the rotational principles of the traditional institution in the community, which he said makes the community a model of peace.
In his words, “We don’t contest Igwe. Our first Igwe is Igwe Odoeze Agbo from Ekoyi. The second is Igwe Sylvanus Odoezeja from Ugo. We have our constitution. Even in our ward, we don’t contest councillorship. We are grouped, and it is rotated that way. That is why we are peaceful. It has never been a war.
“But this election of Igwe took a new dimension. Ugo people, I don’t know, but God has done what makes Him our God. Ugo people know the truth. May God give us everlasting peace. I can’t thank my people enough for finding me worthy to be elected their Igwe.
“I urge my co-contestants to unite with me to move our community forward. The welfare of our people is paramount, so we must put any other thing aside. We are brothers and sisters. Let’s make Ideke-Iheaka a model for others to emulate. We need security, empowerment and love. Without them, there will be crisis. I pledge peace for my people.”
The Igwe-elect thanked the governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for making the state the most peaceful state in the country, and called on traditional rulers and other stakeholders to contribute their quota towards the peace project. He also enjoined political office-seekers to put the state ahead of their selfish interests.
Quoting him, “Gov Ugwuanyi is a peaceful man. He has enthroned peace in the state. I appeal to our political office-seekers and holders to emulate the Ugwuanyi model because we don’t have any other state. It should not be a do-or-die affair.”
