OWERRI-WEST: TOWN UNION ELECTION POLARIZE COMMUNITY.
--As aggrieved party heads to Court.
By Innocent Osuoha
What began like a child's play in Orogwe, Umunwoha autonomous Community in Owerri-west, concerning the Orogwe Community Development Union, (OCDU, Home branch) election has snowballed into litigation.
At the center of the controversy are the incumbent OCDU Home branch Chairman, Comrade Onyekachi Nnosiri who is seeking a re-election and a challenger, Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu, allegedly sponsored by the Orogwe Community Development Union(OCDU) National Executive Council(NEC).
At first, the controversy started with "war of words" by interest groups which literally set the two Community's platforms ablaze.
The litigants routing for the incumbent are opposing the candidature of Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu, not about his person but on grounds that his clearance ran foul of the electoral guidelines as enunciated by the Hon Benjamin Chikezie-led Electoral Committee which was instituted by the OCDU NEC.
Despite all the agitations, the Electoral Committee went ahead to give Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu a clean bill to enable him contest in contrast to the wish of the other aggrieved party which insisted that Comrade Onyekachi Nnosiri be declared unopposed.
The Electoral Committee in the face of all odds went ahead to fix a manifesto day on 28th May, 2026, with the election proper for 30th May, 2026.
On the said 28th May, 2026, the people of Orogwe had gathered for the manifesto to kick off when suddenly the Electoral Committee Chairman, Hon Chikezie appeared to announce that the highly hyped manifesto was no longing holding. He said the Police had directed that there should be no gatherings, under whatever guise, because of a purported "Biafra day" festivities. He was apologetic promising an update in no distant time.
But, before the above developments, a Solicitor and Advocate, Chief BC Nzimako had already despatched a letter captioned, "ATTENTION COMRADE BENJAMIN CHIKEZIE, CHAIRMAN ELECTORAL COMMITTEE" dated 26/5/26 and served on him.
Part of the letter read, "our Client has noticed that your Committee released the name of one Emmanuel Ejiogu as one of those contesting for the position of Home branch Chairman of OCDU."
"Our Client hereby petitions to notify your office and members of the Electoral Committee that the said Emmanuel Ejiogu is not qualified to be cleared to stand the said election by the provisions of the Electoral guidelines released by your Committee".
"Specifically by the provisions of section 3 of your stated guidelines the said Emmanuel Ejiogu did not pay his required dues through Umueze Ward Chairman where he is residing".
Same day 28/5/26, a Barrister and Solicitor, from Obidike Chambers, Kenny O Kalu replied with a letter addressed to Comrade Ben Chikezie with the caption "Emmanuel Ejiogu, aspiration--REPLY TO THE PETITION".
Part of the gravamen of the response were "our Client is a registered and financial member of OCDU(Home branch) as he has paid his dues till 2025".
"Our Client is an indigene of Umuohukwu kindred of Umueze Village and this qualifies him to contest the election".
"Our Client was the Chairman of Umueze Family Meeting between 2018 and 2021 until his tenure expired and because of the numerous problems in the Union, he stopped his association with them and concentrated with his Umuohukwu kindred meeting".
Unfortunately, the above scenario which played out did not debar the Electoral Committee from issuing a release to the effect that another manifesto would hold on 4th June, 2026 and election proper on 6th, June, 2026.
On the 4th June, 2026, the people of Orogwe had gathered again for the manifesto day. As the Electoral Committee Chairman, Hon Chikezie, was neck deep putting things in place, the tide suddenly changed.
A Court Bailiff approached him and served him a Court order which he initially refused to accept but later signed receipt and that was the end of the manifesto which was to climax into election on 6th June, 2026.
The suit with number HOW/348/2026 was filed in an Owerri High Court by Comrade Onyekachi Nnosiri, Sir Odili Eremba and Hon Ndudi Nnadi as Plaintiffs. They filed for themselves and on behalf of the aggrieved members of the OCDU.
The Defendants are Dr Johnson Onwukwe( for himself as President-General of OCDU and his NEC), Messers Benjamin Chikezie, Stanley Atuzie and Felix Oguzie(for themselves and as Members of Orogwe Development Union Electoral Committee) and Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu.
The Plaintiffs are praying the Court to declare that Dr Onwukwe lacked the power and authority to usurp the function of Comrade Nnosiri, Chairman, OCDU Home branch, by setting up an Electoral Committee composed of Comrade Chikezie and Messers Atuzie and Oguzie for purposes of conducting an election for the OCDU Home branch slated for 30th May, 2026 and 6th June, 2026.
That the Court should declare that Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu is not a registered member of Umueze Ward( his home ward) and thus not competent to contest any elective position under OCDU Home branch without complying with the Electoral guidelines issued by the Defendants.
The Plaintiffs are also affirming that it is only the General Assembly of OCDU Home branch presided over by Comrade Nnosiri that has the power and or authority to oversee the appointment of Electoral Committee to conduct election position for OCDU home branch.
They asked the Court to make an order setting aside the clearance of Elder Emmanuel Ejiogu by the Defendants for the purpose of contesting the OCDU Home branch election.
The Plaintiffs amongst other prayers also urged the Court to make a declaration that Comrade Onyekachi Nnosiri is the person to be returned by the Electoral Committee as the person duly nominated and declared as the Chairman of the OCDU Home branch being unopposed for the said position.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Umunwoha autonomous Community, Eze Emmanuel Ejiogu has also waded into the brouhaha by a ROYAL PROCLAMATION dated 5th June, 2026, in which he directed the suspension of all matters relating to the OCDU Home branch election as it could cause a break down of law and order.
The Royal Proclamation in which the DSS Director, Hon Chikezie and the Executive Chairman of Owerri-west were all copied, went further to urge that status quo be maintained while he consults.
In a similar vein, the President-General, Dr Jojo Onwukwe in a statement has also urged the people of Orogwe Community to remain calm in the face of these developments.
On a lighter note, there is now calm in the two Orogwe Community's platforms as the locals await further developments.