Nlemedim, Obodo Lead ODU Electoral Committee as Obudi-Agwa Sets October 10 for Leadership Poll
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
OBUDI, AGWA, OGUTA LGA, IMO STATE — The Obudi-Agwa Development Union (O.D.U.) has constituted its Electoral Committee for the 2026 election of its Central Working Committee, with Hon. Barr. M. O. Nlemedim, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State, serving as Chairman, and Dr. Louis Nonye Obodo, former Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area, as Secretary.
The constitution of the committee is contained in the Guidelines for the Central Working Committee Election of the Obudi-Agwa Development Union (O.D.U.), dated August 20, 2026, and signed by the two electoral officials.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Central School, Obudi-Agwa, with proceedings expected to commence at 12:00 noon prompt or soon thereafter.
The Electoral Committee said the guidelines were issued pursuant to Sections 17 and 18 of the O.D.U. Constitution, 2009, alongside other relevant provisions governing town union elections in Imo State.
Nlemedim, Obodo Bring Legal and Administrative Experience
The choice of Nlemedim and Obodo to supervise the electoral process places considerable experience at the centre of the forthcoming community leadership election.
Nlemedim, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State, brings legal and public administrative experience to the electoral assignment, while Obodo, a former Oguta LGA Chairman, brings experience from local government administration.
Their involvement is expected to strengthen confidence in the electoral process as candidates and delegates prepare for the election of a new Central Working Committee.
Who Can Contest?
The electoral guidelines require candidates seeking elective positions to possess at least a West African School Certificate (WASC), NECO certificate or an equivalent qualification.
Candidates for the offices of President-General, Deputy President-General, Secretary-General, Financial Secretary and Treasurer must be at least 35 years old, while candidates for other positions must not be below 30 years.
The guidelines also require every candidate to have visible and legitimate means of income. Candidates must not be ex-convicts or persons with questionable character or reputation, or any established record of mismanagement of communal or public funds.
Six Functional Branches Recognised
The guidelines list six approved or recognised functional branches of the O.D.U.:
Home (Headquarters)
Owerri
Lagos
Abuja
Port Harcourt
Enugu
Four members of the executive committee from each approved or recognised functional branch are to participate in the election alongside delegates from the constitutional villages, in accordance with the O.D.U. Constitution, 2009.
The guidelines further provide that only delegates from the constitutional villages can be voted for in the Central Working Committee election.
However, while candidates may reside in any part of the country, those seeking the positions of Deputy President-General and Assistant Secretary-General must be residents of Obudi-Agwa Community.
Eight Positions Up for Grabs
The election will determine officers for the following Central Working Committee positions:
President-General
Deputy President-General
Secretary-General
Assistant Secretary-General
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Two Provosts
The guidelines provide that constitutional villages shall register each delegate at ₦2,000, while branches are expected to pay approved logistics fees for the conduct of the election.
Nomination Fees Fixed
The Electoral Committee has fixed the nomination fee for the offices of President-General and Secretary-General at ₦50,000 each.
Candidates for other offices, excluding the Provost positions, are required to pay ₦20,000, while candidates for the position of Provost are to pay ₦10,000 for their nomination forms.
Completed nomination forms must be returned to the Secretary of the Electoral Committee not later than October 2, 2026.
The committee said only duly screened and qualified candidates would be allowed to contest, while voting would be conducted by secret ballot. Results are expected to be announced immediately at the election venue.
Credibility Expected as Obudi-Agwa Heads to Polls
The Electoral Committee has also reserved the power to issue supplementary guidelines where necessary before the election and pledged to apply relevant provisions of the O.D.U. Constitution, 2009, as well as applicable laws guiding town unions in Imo State.
With the election now scheduled and nomination procedures underway, attention is expected to shift to the candidates, constitutional villages and recognised branches as preparations intensify.
The emergence of Nlemedim and Obodo, both with backgrounds in public service and administration, is likely to be closely watched as the community seeks a credible electoral process and a new leadership capable of advancing the collective interests and development of Obudi-Agwa.
The October 10 poll is therefore set to be an important moment for the Obudi-Agwa Development Union, with the outcome expected to determine the composition of its next Central Working Committee and the direction of community leadership for the coming years.
