By Sunday Nwakanma
Umuahia
Plans by the Comrade Obi Igwe-led executive of the Abia State chapter of the Medical and Health Workers Union to elongate the tenure of their administration against the constitution of the union has engendered leadership crisis into the union.
Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia, the caretaker committee chairman of the union, Comrade Christopher Ezekiel, disclosed that the former chairman of the union, Comrade Obi Igwe, ascended the union’s leadership in 2005 and has perfected plans to continue in office till 2015.
“What is happening is that the former chairman went down to Abuja last week with the likes of the NLC state secretary and the national executive members and elongated their tenure contrary to the constitutional provision of four years and maximum of eight years”.
On the stampede at the state chapter office of the NLC last week, Ezekiel, who wore a bandaged because of a head injury he sustained, said: “As the recognised state chairman of the union, I was invited for NLC state executive committee in preparation for our May Day celebration. On arrival at the venue, attendance was taken and formal introduction started.
“The state NLC secretary, Comrade Omini Uja, introduced himself as same. No sooner had I introduced myself as the caretaker committee chairman of my Union, than Comrade Uja started fuming, even challenging the NLC state chairman, Comrade Sylvanus Eyeh”.
“I was sitting at the front when Uja hit me at the back with his safety boot and a sharp object he held on his hand, thus giving me a head injury.
Reacting, former state chairman of NLC, Lucky Akabuike, described the incident as embarrassing.
Akabuike, who is now special adviser to the governor on Llbour matters advised that the constitution of the union must be obeyed to the later.
The chairmen, Comrade Obi Igwe, could not be reached as the union’s office along Aba Road in Umuahia remained closed.
