The Chairman of Duruojije Improvement Union, Umueze-Abazu Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, DSP Harrison Udechukwu(retd.)has been re-elected by Duruojije people to serve for another four year term.
In an unprecedented election which witnessed the introduction of the open secret ballot system for those physically present and the online voting system which took care of those in the diaspora, Udechukwu emerged victorious by polling a total of 106 votes as against 76 votes polled by his opponent, Comrade Bright Iroka.
Other officers elected included, Hon Bourdilon Ebeninye who defeated Augustine Ejiogu 76-58 to return as Vice Chairman; Barthlomew Nduwuaku who returned as General Secretary by defeating Kingsley Iroka 70-46; Christian Onuoha as Assistant Secretary; Jonathan Osuoha as Financial Secretary, Stephen Dike as Treasurer, Sabastine Olumba as PRO and Felix Anyaso as Provost.
At the home front, Joseph Dike emerged as Chairman; Chukwuma Chinekezi, Vice Chairman; Solomon Ebeninye, Secretary; Iheanyi Osuoha, Treasurer; and Tochukwu Boniface, Provost.
Speaking shortly after declaring the electoral results and winners in different positions, Chairman of Duruojije Electoral Committee, Eddy Iwuanyanwu described the election as “successful, by any definition of success”, adding that the atmosphere, conduct, and process were peaceful which was why it produced a transparent and open result which made losers to confess that there were no grounds to challenge the outcome and embraced the winners.
He commended his fellow electoral officers, Paul Ejiogu and Chinedu Opara for their team work which culminated in the successful outcome of the election which involved the uncommon online voting system for those living in states far away from the village and those in the diaspora.
He assured that in the next four years the two systems would also be adopted since they had been adjudged successful in 2026 and promised that if called upon to conduct another election, he would incorporate 18 year old youths and women in the voting process to enable them elect leaders of their choice.
A community leader who was a commissioner in the state, Hon Barr. Dan Chibuzo Iwuorie, was on hand to administer the oath of office on the new executives and called on the people to appreciate the electoral committee for living up to expectations.
Speaking to our correspondent later, the re-elected chairman, DSP Harrison Udechukwu (retd.) described the election as ” an innovation, being the first time an open secret ballot system and an online voting will be conducted in an election in the village.” While assuring that he would adopt the online system of voting in most of their elections henceforth, he vowed to liverage on the good relationship he had with his people at both home and abroad to bring more development to the village. He maintained that the election was transparent, free, fair and credible and was able to ignite the interest of their people all over the world in the progress and development of the village. He called on his brothers to join hands with him, assuring that more and better development would be witnessed in the next four years.
Those who commented on the outcome of the election, namely, Chief Dr K. U. Joel, Chief Alban Okehie(patron), Barr. Chuks Iwuoha, and Chief Sam Chinrkezi, all spoke in unison, expressing their happiness over the outcome, describing it as transparent, thus meeting the demand of Duruojije women who in the middle of the exercise, stormed the Duruojije Hall complex demanding for a transparent exercise.
The participants commended Duruojije people for ensuring a peaceful exercise and the electoral committee for doing a good job which made everybody happy. They advised the new executives to be more focused in their next tenure and work on those areas in which they were found wanting in the just concluded tenure.
