The Ebonyi Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring peaceful, free and transparent town union elections across communities in the state, including the forthcoming Ihietutu Development Union (IDU) polls scheduled for Dec. 26.
Prof. Paul Nwobasi, Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abakaliki when stakeholders of Ihietutu community in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area, paid him a courtesy visit.
The visit/meeting was aimed to brief the ministry on their preparations for the smooth conduct of the scheduled election exercise.
Nwobasi commended the community for the prevailing peace in the area stressing that the community’s preparation demonstrated readiness for a smooth and rancour-free transition of leadership in both the town union and youth organisation.
“I want to applaud the people of Ihietutu for their commitment to peace and for taking early steps to ensure credible elections.
“It is important that you continue to work closely with the Ivo council chairman, Chief Emmanuel Aja who is the chief security officer of the area so that government and the community will remain on the same page,” Nwobashi said.
He noted that government would continue to prioritise in all parts of the state and urged the leadership of the community to guide against acts that could compromise the integrity and outcome of the election.
Earlier Aja, chairman of Ivo LGA, assured the ministry that the council would provide every necessary security arrangement and logistics support to guarantee a seamless electoral process.
Dr Ifeanyi Igurube, Head of Conflict Resolution in the ministry, said that the visit was necessary to clarify issues arising from a petition submitted by some community members concerning the planned election.
He said engagement with all stakeholders was vital to ensure that the process remained inclusive and free of disputes.
Meanwhile, Chief Emeka Ogbonna, the incumbent IDU president, reaffirmed his readiness to hand over power on Dec. 26, noting that the community was united and fully prepared for the transition.
Also speaking, Mazi Onwukwe Okoro, Secretary of the 2025 IDU Election Committee, noted that that Ihietutu community was united and desirous to hold a free, fair and transparent elections stressing that the had received cooperation from candidates and members of the community.
“The community is not factionalised as far as the Dec. 26 election is concerned; the candidates for the election and their supporters are abiding to the electoral guidelines released for the election.
“We are not anticipating any breach while we call on government and its security agencies to complement the efforts we have made to ensure that the exercise is free, credible and transparent,” Okoro said.
He said that the community’s engagement with the ministry underscored their desire for transparency and continued peace.
Our correspondent reports that the Dec. 26 IDU elections are expected to usher in new executives to pilot the affairs of the mineral-rich community for the next four years.
