SALLY
AMAEZECHI- QUARTEY 

ELECTORAL CRISIS IN AISANA

The electoral crisis in AISANA can not continue. In setting up the AISANA YOUTH tinktank, we gave notice that we will not take anybody’s dictation or bow to any body’s wishes. It is both our right and burden to be creators of the system under which we live. A democratic political order and election opportunities do not come from being whipped into line or from picking up whatever crumbs falls from the masters table. The time is long past for lapping up whatever the politically rich throws up or defecates.

As AISANANS, we must have the courage and the discernment to remake our lives in this political dispensation, to battle the storm no matter how high they are and find anchorage in this turbulent circumstance.

Organizations die when people sink into cowardice, fratricidal greed and banality when cower before the bully and fall prey to their own base appetites. We have the vision, the will, intelligence, discipline and fortitude to create a true electoral process in AISANA. This is the challenge facing all AISANANS. This time, therefore, beckons on those who would want to be counted among men and women of valor, who identify the dangers facing AISANA and without seeking to promote self or count personal costs, brace up to the task of beheading the dragon threatening our beloved AISANA.

We, the Youths of AISANA hereby call on the three (3) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES to show leadership by coming together and meet with the ELECTORAL COMMITTEE, the CURRENT PRESIDENT, the ELDERS and the YOUTH DELIGATION to seek solution and come to congruence on this crisis to the satisfaction of all. We must play by the rules and halt heaping invectives and continued attacks on fellow leaders with differing views. We must never compromise on the need for TRANSPARENCY. It is the key to democratic sustainability and consolidation. New voices get onto the political landscape even as new leaders, ideas and contestations emerge to strength democratic conduct.

The status quo in light of what is happening now is a prerequisite to democratic sustainability and tantamount to diabolical jingoism.

The Electoral Committee cannot wantonly abandon its rules of procedure in managing this electoral crisis, if there is no transparency, there is no legitimacy and without legitimacy any election will come to ruins. We the Youths believe that the core of democracy is legitimacy. Legitimacy is secured by publicity and fairness. We must disregard shallow voluptuaries and vapid ideologies and come to a satisfying solution accepted by all parties.

Goz Duruaku
For: The Youths   

It came like a flash, AISANA President Mr. Clement Eze asked for norminations to replace Chief Frank Okechukwu for the position of Electoral Committee member; the nominees were, Bouyant Enyiorji, Onyebuchi Onyeukwu and Chief Frank Okechukwu. Ballot papers were distributed and in a transperent election as demanded by AISANA members, the process was quick, 1, 2-Punch and it was over, Chief Frank Okechukwu was duly elected by members of AISANA

The Gladiators are here

AISANA YOUTHS

COMMUNIQUE

On Friday October 26th 2007, the Youths of AISANA hosted the three Presidential Candidates in a one day interactive forum to discuss issues of concern to the Youths. We extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the candidates for their well meaning and rich agenda for the Youths. This focus on the Youths by the current group of candidates is the way forward for AISANA. The question and answer session showed how well prepared the candidates are, and we salute them for taking the Youths issues very seriously. The candidates also promised to refocus attention away from the politics of conflict and surrogacy to the politics of empowerment.

The forum was officially declared open by Goz Duruaku who urged the candidates to go beyond the usual platitudes and discuss concrete proposals for action and phases of implementation during this political dispensation. Uche Bonny-life Ndu was the able moderator and Joseph Dike was the Chief Whip.

The unprecedented event was attended by many community leaders, AISANA young men and women and by the three presidential candidates. The candidates appeared with their campaign handlers. Mr. Chucks Asoluka was accompanied by Mr. Ifeanyi Eze and Mr. Bright Olakpu. Chief Rowland Anyanwu was accompanied by Mr. Kelechi Onyegbule and Mr. Polly Uba. Mr. Ethelbert Oleka was also present with his crew and the candidate who was punctual.

Also in attendance were Mrs. Sally Amaezechi-Quartey and Mrs. Christie Ikwuegbu nominees for Director of Socials. The two candidates for Public Relations Office Uche Bonny-life Ndu and Kingsley Emeronye were also in attendance. Many current cabinet officers of AISANA were also in the audience namely: Mr. Clement Eze – Aisana President, Mrs. Maureen Ndu – Vice President, Madam Chinwe B. Njoku – Director of Socials and Mr. Chidi Iwu – the Provost. Just to mention but a few.

Finally, we want to plead to parents to encourage the participation of your young adults in events of this nature to accompany when you attend. The Youths of AISANA will not relent until AISANA becomes the symbol of what any Igbo Organization should be. We believe that strong resilient institutions are more important than individuals in the development of pure democracy not militarized presidential dictatorship that don’t listen to its critics, dragoon its youths into irrelevancy while politically pauperizing a potentially thriving constituency through leadership incompetence. Transparency is an element of good governance.

Goz Duruaku
For: The Youths

Now that Debate is done whistle is on

The Future of AISANA in our Hands

JUST ONE HURDLE LEFT…… The debate has come and gone, and we thank the members of the electoral committee that did a marvelous job to see to a fair moderation of the event. Salute to all the candidates who participated and showed what leadership AISANA should envisage in the near future. The Youths of Aisana have taken note of all your agendas and promises and shall be making choices to see only the positive and pronounce only what is positive about AISANA. Every utterance is a pronouncement of what we want to speak into being, therefore, AISANANS must resolve to at least make the attempt to see the good in AISANA. Maybe, then can begin to find ways to make it better. We thank you all again.

Words of wisdom - Do not say anything bad when a child is not in a good condition, for God has not created anything bad, so choose to say "not of the best character”; one does not discard him/her but seeks any and all ways possible to change that child. As you would treat that child with nurturing, love, discipline and wisdom, patience, understanding and sometimes even counseling, constantly seeking others wisdom and knowledge to improve the child so that you are not ashamed of that which has come from you; which after all are choices you have resolved to make, “so you should treat and handle AISANA”.

The Youths of Aisana are willing to make resolution for better governance, and also participate in it meanwhile wishing all candidates the best of luck in this election.

Aisanans, choose not only the good, but also speak of the goodness of Aisana. And for this goodness, we challenge the Electoral Committee. It is now the duty of the Electoral Committee to make this transition a success. Handle this election in a legitimate manner to suit all candidates that are contesting for various positions, all the identified and eligible members of Aisana, and the outside world. We should not use our mouths to pronounce curses on Aisana, for s/he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones. I will not condone curses either.

Our resolution should be FOCUSED ON SOLUTION, NOT THE PROBLEM because we already know the problems. Hence this election may determine the future of Aisana, Transparency, Legitimacy and Fairness in this coming election MUST be exhibited and be the instruments toward achieving our goals.  We should be proclaiming goodness, peace, prosperity, contentment, victory, progress, and most especially the will of God upon AISANA and AISANANS because the WORLD is watching. We do not have to be spiritual, religious or even sentimental to prophecy goodness with our mouths. God gave each person a tongue and you can choose to speak life or death with it.

Take your time to choose the right candidate for the betterment of AISANA. Just like you choose your actions and what you speak over your own children, CHOOSE your actions and words wisely and kindly over our dear Aisana (our organization). For those non-Aisanans watching and reading this, remember "Touch not my anointed one" and NO ONE, NOT ONE CAN CURSE THAT WHICH GOD HAS BLESSED. Contribute to the goodness not the detriment. Maybe this can be applied to your own organization whichever it is. Aisana will progress!!! And to those Aisanans who have been contributing to its ills and tainting its great name remember "A great name is better than riches". Aisana is presently being chastised, but is definitely on its journey to restore good standards, moral values, peace and harmony. In our hands lies the opportunity to establish a community and a people proud of their heritage and culture. Long live AISANA.

Goz Duruaku
For: The Youths

P.O. Box 8292, Newark, New Jersey 07108
Website: WWW.AISANA.COM

ELECTION! ELECTION! ELECTION!!

Following AISANA Candidates’ successful debates of Sunday, November 25th, 2007 at the Banquet Hall, Four Points Sheraton Newark Airport, Route 1&9, Elizabeth NJ 07201, the General Elections is hereby scheduled to be held at the same venue on Sunday December 02, 2007.

TIME:       2:00 P.M. – 7:00P.M. PROMPT

VOTING STARTS AT 2:00P.M. AND STOPS AT EXACTLY 5:30 P.M.
COUNTING: 5:30 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.
RESULTS:  6:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2007:    EMPANELLING OF AISANA NEW CABINET
                                                           
GUIDELINES:

1. All dues must be paid in full as provided in AISANA Constitution in order to vote.
2. There will be no absentee ballot voting.
3. Members must be present in order to vote.

SECURITY ALERT:

• The Electoral Commission has provided adequate seating and comfortable arrangements.
• Security will be provided.
• There will be no loitering in the Hotel Premises or Hall Ways.
• No alcohol or any form of beverage is permitted in the Banquet Hall during the Hours of Voting.
• Any individual or member who conducts himself/herself in a manner likely to cause the breach of the peace will be doing so at his or her own risk.

BY ORDER OF AISANA ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
 
High Chief Titus Osuagwu
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY
AISANA ELECTORAL COMMISSION

NEW JERSEY NOVEMBER 26, 2007.

AISANA ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

PRESS RELEASE

Following a joint meeting of the AISANA Electoral Committee with all the Nominated Candidates for the 2007 General Elections held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007, a resolution was reached that due to time frame in the procurement of electoral materials, hall reservations, and related logistics in compliance with AISANA Constitution and Electoral Guidelines, the general election was rescheduled as follows:

GUIDELINES:

             
BY ORDER OF AISANA ELECTORAL COMMISSION                

High Chief Titus Osuagwu                                                             
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY

l-r Uche Bonny-life Ndu, Goz Duruaku and Joseph Dike

l-r Chief Rowland Anyanwu, Chuks Asoluka & Ethelbert Oleka

Chuks Asoluka's table with Bright Olakpa & Ifeanyi Eze

Ethelbert Oleka's table with Oleka and supporters

Chief Rowland Anyanwus table with Poly Uba, Demian Ozuzu, Pat Agbugba, Mathew and friends

Clement Eze's table, Eze is the current President of AISANA