By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka—THE embattled President-General, PG, of Awka Development Union Nigeria, ADUN, Mr. Tony Okechukwu, said yesterday, that his tenure was still running, insisting that he would never be stampeded out of office.

A section of the community had accused the PG of trying to perpetuate himself in office against the constitution of ADUN, arguing that his tenure expired on March 7, 2015.

The group went ahead to select a 7-member caretaker committee to oversee the activities of ADUN, pending the conduct of the elections in line with the provisions of the law.

But in a statement made available to Vanguard in Awka, the Public Relations Officer of ADUN, Mr. Emmanuel Onyejiaka, said that contrary to the allegation of some Awka people, the present leadership was legitimately in office.

The statement read: “The tenure of the ADUN executive led by Engr. Tony Okechukwu is still running. The said executive is not hanging on to power as it is legitimately in office.

“Any Izu Awka (general meeting) not called by the Otochalu (the oldest man) is void. The so-called gathering at Umuoranma Square not having been duly called, was totally void and all resolutions reached thereat, null and not binding on any native of Awka town. ADUN has a current constitution duly registered and the current Board of Trustees is in place.

“There was never a time the present executive was removed from office. On the contrary, the status quo of the leadership is still being maintained until such a time, not too long away, an election is conducted as provided by the ADUN constitution.

“There is no seven-man committee appointed or elected by the appropriate authority to conduct any election and in any event, elections into ADUN will never be conducted by a seven-man committee.”

Onyejiaka urged the people to resist what he described as “attempts by mischievous and disgruntled elements in Awka to deceive and mislead the public for their selfish interest.”

He expressed the determination of the PG and his team to build a strong and prosperous Awka.