IT was jubilation galore as people of Ogidi Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State elected a renowned pharmacist, Chief Alexander Uzo Onyido, as their new traditional ruler after 18 years of kingship tussle in the community.
The election, which was conducted at the community town hall Uru Ogidi, attracted who is who, including the indigenes of the town in the Diaspora, but few minutes into the commencement of the election, the co- contestant with the Igwe elect, Chief Albert Obi Ezegbo, having read the handwriting on the wall and in order to allow peace to reign in his town, humbly, in the public, announced his withdrawal from the race, thus stepping down for the new Igwe elect.
The stepping down of Chief Ezegbo, it was learned, brought about endless joy in Ogidi Community as youths, elders, women and even octogenarians danced to the ‘heaven on earth’ palace of the Igwe elect.
In his acceptance speech, Igwe Alexander Uzo Onyido, thanked his subjects for calling him to serve them. In his words; “It is with deep sense of responsibility and humility that I stand before you all today to communicate my acceptance to hold the highly exalted office of Igwe Ogidi,” he said.
I sincerely promise to discharge the duties of that office faithfully, zealously, conscientiously and to the best of my ability, to the glory of God Almighty and to the general welfare of Ogidi people.
“I must salute the courage and assiduity of the President General, Chief Chuka Onubuogu and members of the town union executives and various steering committees for planning and executing the election process successfully, despite determined efforts by some disgruntled elements to frustrate and truncated the exercise.”
and then