Obiangwu Community Protests

Call for Suspension of Ngor Okpala Legislative Council Leader Over Reckless Allegation Against Uzodimma, Reject Imposed Town Union Exco 

A large crowd of Obiangwu Autonomous Community indigenes, today, June 25, 2025, protested at the offices of the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, Hon Obinna Egu, representing Ngor Okpala State constituency in Imo House of Assembly, and Hon Mrs Ruby Emele, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 

The visibly aggrieved crowd  told newsmen through their spokespersons, that they staged the peaceful protest against the inflammatory allegation peddled against Gov Hope Uzodimma by Hon Chibuike Agbugba, Leader of Ngor Okpala Legislative Council, to publicly reject Imposed interim town union executive, by Hon Chika Ibekwe, Ngor Okpala LGA Chairperson,  Hon Chibuike Agbugba, and Dr Perry Njoku,as well as suspension of Hon Agbugba. 

Speaking at the three venues of the protest, Chief Clement Nwigwe, an elder statesman from the community, traced the genesis of the  crisis to the secret plot to conduct kangaroo town union election by Hons Ibekwe and Agbugba .

According to him, they unilaterally plotted to hold election without consultations and following due process,leading strong resistance from the community, which led to the meeting called by Hon Ruby Emele, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. 

At that meeting he stressed the commissioner canceled the proposed election, ordered for setting up of interim executive, and told the community to go ahead with preparation for election,and notify government when they are ready to hold election. 

He regretted that after the community met on Sunday, June 22,2025 and agreed via voice vote that each village should bring one member of nine member interim exco, the trio of Hon Ibekwe, Hon Agbugba and Dr Njoku, went to a hotel and wrote names of their boys and Imposed them as caretaker exco.

He said the community totally rejected that,hence the renewed agitation. He said they want all processes whether interim or substantive to adhere to the time honoured processes and procedures that have guided the emergence of their town union. 

He reiterated the unflinching and unalloyed loyalty and support of the community to Gov.
Hope Uzodimma's administration, even as lauded the capacity of the Rt Hon Speaker Olemgbe, Hon Egu and Emele. 

Chief Emmanuel Agbakwuru, Obiangwu/Ezemba Ward Chairman of the ruling APC, who threw light on  why they are demanding for Hon Agbugba's suspension as Leader of Ngor Okpala Legislative Council, said it was because of  his reckless and provocative act of defaming and bringing the governor's hard earned image and name to disrepute.

He noted that the Councillor who represents his ward in his desperate quest for power and control in the community, made inflammatory allegation that the governor told him and other legislative council leaders in the state, in confidence, that he has ceded APC Owerri Zone Senate ticket to Prince Alex Mbata from Owerri North LGA. 

According to him, that unguided and reckless claim amounted to gross insult, disrespect and maligning of the governor, as well as betrayal of the governor and the Peoples trust in him and his office.

He stressed that the statement has thrown APC Ngor Okpala and the generality of the people into confusion, disarray, and anger due to its ugly consequences. 

He said the people view that statement as open assault on them and their justified interest to occupy Owerri Zone Senate in 2027,having not  represented the zone for once since 1999.  

And for members of APC in the area he said they are all deeply concerned the gross misconduct may cost the party victory in future elections if not decisively dealt with, hence their strong call for his immediate suspension and removal as leader of Council.

Chief Fidelis Okere, said it was the turn of Egbelu to produce president general since Ezi Obiangwu and Ekwereazu have taken their turns, insisting that the community as one with strong belief in justice, fairness and equity, cannot deviate from toeing this long standing tradition.