Traditional Rulers Deny Election of New Executives for MOUAU/NRCRI Land Donors Association

Traditional Rulers Deny Election of New Executives for MOUAU/NRCRI Land Donors Association

Traditional rulers of communities that donated land for the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) have denied reports claiming that a new executive committee has been elected for the Land Donors Association.

The clarification was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by HRH Ogechi Oriaku – Immediate Past Chairman, Land Donors Association, HRM Eze Boniface Izuogu – Immediate Past Vice Chairman, HRH Eze Linus Onuoha – Immediate Past Secretary, HRM Eze Christopher Ejirika – Former Chairman, HRM Eze Godfrey Onwuka – Former Secretary and Immediate Past Deputy Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Peter Anyaegbu – Immediate Past Financial Secretary, HRH Eze C. E. Ironsi – Immediate Past Treasurer, HRH Eze Emeka Ezeoma – Member, HRH Eze Valentine Ohunta – Member, HRH Eze Silver Ubani – Member, and HRH Eze Ezeribe – Member.

The rulers described recent publications naming HRM King Emmanuel Otuwa 1st as chairman of a newly elected executive as false, unauthorised, and issued without the consent of the association’s recognised leadership.

They clarified that no election has taken place and reminded the public that the association operates strictly in line with its constitution and by-laws, which provide for rotational leadership among the local governments that donated land to the two institutions.

According to the communiqué, Ikwuano Local Government Area currently holds the chairmanship position, and upon the conclusion of the present tenure, the leadership will rotate to Olokoro in accordance with the constitution. It further stated that a properly constituted electoral committee will, in due course, be inaugurated to organise and supervise a transparent and credible election.

The statement reaffirmed that until that lawful process is concluded, the Board of Trustees Chairman remains the recognised leader of the association. It therefore urged partner institutions, including MOUAU and NRCRI, as well as relevant government agencies, to disregard any claims of a newly elected executive.

The traditional rulers also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and reiterated their commitment to peace, truth, and cooperation with government agencies, academic partners, and host communities to promote accountability and sustainable development across the Abia State educational corridor.