Ohuche Emerges ISTDAL President, Pledges Inclusive Leadership

Chief Nduka Theodore Ohuche has emerged as the new President of the Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL).

Ohuche, who hails from Osina in Ideato North Local Government Area and a member of the prestigious Ndi Oso Eze Achi in Osina under His Royal Highness, Eze O.S.B Igwilo, described his emergence as a test of popularity and integrity.

Speaking after his victory, Ohuche said the election was keenly contested and peaceful.

“Today is a very big day. What we have done here today is a test of popularity and a test of integrity,” he said.

He disclosed that the initial election held last month ended in a tie after three contestants participated. While one contestant polled one vote, he and his closest rival were tied at 20 votes each, necessitating a run-off

“The election was held last month, and there was a tie between myself and the other contestant. We were three contestants – one had one vote, while the other 40 votes were shared between me and the other contestant. So there was a run-off, and that run-off happened today,” he explained.

According to him, tension was high but the electoral committee handled the process professionally. In the run-off held today, he polled 21 votes to defeat his opponent who scored 19 votes.

“I obtained 21 votes against 19. So I got two votes better than my fellow contestant. It is not an easy post, it is a very big post to behold. But I believe God giving me the wisdom, I will be able to pilot the affairs of ISTDAL and change ISTDAL for better. A new ISTDAL is possible,” he stated.

Ohuche lamented that ISTDAL had for long been associated with rancour and discord, noting that his emergence marks a new beginning.

“For a very long time, ISTDAL was known for rancour. I think God has said that the rancour and discord in ISTDAL is over. And that was why He made me come into the race. I have no enemy in ISTDAL, I am for everybody. Even people that did not vote for me, I am still going to work with them. It is an election. I want to accommodate everybody and let us work together for a better ISTDAL.”

He pledged to build a functional, vibrant and prosperous association where every member feels happy and fulfilled.

“We want an ISTDAL where everybody will be happy being a member, where after the meeting, everybody will go home happy. We want a prosperous one. We want to connect the state government to us. We don’t want ISTDAL to be like a mere town union. We have a lot of timbers and calibers of Imo State indigenes in Lagos. We will try to bring them together to achieve our aim.”

The new President paid glowing tribute to his hometown, Osina, for its support.

“If there is no ISTDAL, there will never be Nduka Ohuche in ISTDAL. If there is Nduka Ohuche in ISTDAL and today the President of ISTDAL, it is Osina making it happen. It will is Osina that moved the material to ISTDAL, and that material has materialized as President of a great and big ISTDAL. We are going to move ISTDAL forward, and the whole credit should still go to Osina,” he said.

He specifically thanked the Chairman of Osina Town Union, Chief Aloy Emeh (Okadigbo), and all members of Osina community, including his Media Officer, Cyriacus Nnaji, for their support throughout the electioneering period.

Ohuche noted that with Osina already producing the women-wing President, his emergence as President of the male wing underscores the community’s prominence in ISTDAL.

“Osina has produced the women-wing President, and now they are producing the male-wing President. There is nothing as good as patience, there is nothing as good as integrity. If you have integrity and patience, people will not leave you behind. It is the voice of God that spoke,” he added.