OPI SURU BARU SIMON ELECTED PARAMOUNT CHIEF MADI CULTURAL INSTITUTION

Opi (Chief) Suru Simon Baru Opi Lopirigo of madi elect swearing in after the election. Photo by Stephen Unzimai

By Stephen Unzimai

Moyo

Opi (Chief) Suru Simon Baru of Pakele clan has been voted the paramount chief for madi cultural institution called Opi Lopirigo.

In an election that took place on Friday August 23, 2024 at Moyo district headquarters in Moyo peoples hall, 21 chiefs in madi sub region qualified for the election out of which three, Opi Suru Simon Baru, Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri and Opi Beka Zakary were nominated among the chiefs for the election where Opi Suru Simon Baru and Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri both got 10 votes and Beka Zakary got 01 vote and in the rerun of the election where the best two were chosen, Opi Suru Simon Baru won by 11 votes while Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri got 10.

The election was conducted by an independent commission established by the chiefs. Dr. Arubaku Serafine the chairperson of the independent election commission declared Opi Suru Simon Baru Opi Lopirigo of madi. “Opi Akuti Moses Chokiri of Adropi clan got 10 votes amounting to 47.6 percent while Opi Suru Simon Baru of Pakele clan got 11 votes amounting to 52.4 percent of the votes cast and there is no invalid vote so by virtue of the authority given by the constitution I declare Opi Suru Simon Baru as duly elected Lopirigo of madi cultural institution.” Dr. Adibaku declared. 

The Opi Lopirigo of madi elect was then immediately sworn in by moyo high court magistrate. Upon his swearing in, Opi Lopirigo of madi elect Opi Suru Simon Baru accepted and vowed to work for madi cultural institution. “I shall faithfully exercise the functions of madi and that I shall uphold, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of Opi madi dri and   observe the laws of Opi madi dri and that I shall protect and promote the interest of Opi madi dri.” Opi Suru swore  

The election was guided by madi cultural institution constitution written and signed by all the chiefs in madi sub region.

Hon. Anyama William Moyo district chairperson on behalf of the local governments in madi sub region applauded the chiefs for the peaceful election and called for unity among them and with the local government. “He has to work with all the other chiefs to restore our reach cultural heritage for the good of madi sub region. And I want to appeal to them to continue to work with central government, local government, to work with entire people of madi sub region, the different religions and private sector for holistic development of madi sub region.” Hon Anyama said.

Article 55 section 2 and 5 and article 57 section 1 of madi cultural constitution gives powers to an independent electoral commission to contact elections to elect the Lopirigo for the madi cultural institution.

Opi Lopirigo of madi elect Opi Suru Simon Baru is the first Lopirigo of madi cultural institution in the history of madi sub region.