Nwaeze Burial, Security and October 10 PG Election Top Obudi-Agwa Stakeholders’ Meeting
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
OWERRI, IMO STATE — The burial of late community leader Dr. G. U. Nwaeze, security challenges and the forthcoming Obudi-Agwa President-General election scheduled for October 10, 2026, dominated discussions at an Obudi-Agwa Stakeholders’ Meeting held at 138 Wethdral Road, Owerri.
The meeting was presided over by the Regent of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom, Malachy Asor, alongside a Leader of the community, Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Imo State.
Other developmental concerns affecting the community, including the need to strengthen the Obudi security apparatus, mobilise residents for Nwaeze’s burial and address the condition of the Agwa/Ejemekwuru/Obudi/Obokofia Egbema road, were also discussed.
In his remarks, the Regent reminded stakeholders of their collective resolve to build a better Obudi-Agwa and urged every son and daughter of the community to contribute towards achieving the objective.
“Today, we are here to move Obudi forward as I always say. In doing that, we must understand and acknowledge the need for us to work as one united Obudi. We have very serious issues at hand, the issues of equipping Obudi security men, the burial of our revered leader and father, Dr. G. U. Nwaeze, the scheduled October 10 elections; these are issues that needs our collective and objective contributions looking at Obudi-Agwa as one united community.”
The Regent also commended those who had contributed to the ongoing security fundraising drive.
“I wanted to specially thank all Obudi sons and daughters who are genuinely commited to the development of Obudi, and has contributed towards the ongoing security donation, and to those wanting to donate, God bless you,” he said.
Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, in his remarks, appreciated stakeholders for consistently responding to calls for community development despite short notices.
Nlemedim appealed to stakeholders to continue working for peace, love and unity in Obudi, stressing that unity was essential for the community to achieve meaningful development.
On the burial of Bishop G. U. Nwaeze, Nlemedim called for the full mobilisation and participation of Obudi people.
“I want to believe that we know the efforts of our late leader, he did his best for Obudi and it is my appeal that Obudi we fully participate in the burial as a community to honour his demise,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of security to community development.
“Security is the mother of development. We should all make every effort to ensure that Obudi Security men is up and running. Let us ensure that we meet our target as agreed,” he concluded.
Security Concerns
Briefing the stakeholders, the Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Charles Ifeka Onumara, appreciated the leadership of Obudi for its support in providing operational logistics.
Onumara recounted an incident in the previous month in which, according to him, some non-state actors allegedly stormed his residence at odd hours in an attempt to attack him and initiate him into a criminal gang.
According to him, “An attempt was made to eliminate me but God of saved me and to the glory of God, those who came for the attack did not go freely, though we lost one security officer, but their leader was gun down, the Lexus capture,” he said.
Onumara said the security of the community remained a priority and disclosed that the security team had made key arrests and handed suspects over to the police.
“The security of Obudi is not negotiable. We are doing our best, even when we have made some key arrest and handed them over to the police. We are not sleeping but the job needs a lot of attention to facilitate our job. I know that Obudi Stakeholders are trying, we still need mobility to facilitate movement, logistics and remuneration. We haven't been paid for 3 months now by the ACU and Government. I now that the ACU is trying, but it is what it's is. It is not fair for the boys to fight criminals in an empty stomach,” the CSO concluded.
Responding, the Regent told the meeting that Obudi stakeholders at home and abroad were already contributing towards addressing the security challenges.
He said the ongoing fundraising had yielded a reasonable sum and that disbursement would commence soon. He assured the security personnel of the community’s commitment to responding to their requests and advised that the issue should not become a source of complexity or division.
October 10 President-General Election
The forthcoming Obudi President-General election also featured prominently at the meeting.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee (Eleco), Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, Esq., briefed stakeholders on the committee’s position regarding the constitution to be used for the election.
He said that at the Eleco’s virtual meeting of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, comprising members from all functional Obudi Development Union (ODU) structures, the committee adopted the 2009 constitution duly signed by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC).
The committee comprised:
Hon. M. O. Nlemedim, Esq. — Chairman
Mr. J. C. Elumezie, Esq. — Secretary
Mr. Vitalis Uzoaru (late) — Member
Chief Bright Orusakwe — Member
The meeting also considered controversies surrounding two versions of the 2009 constitution.
According to Nlemedim, one document was signed by the four members of the Constitutional Review Committee, while another was signed by the four members of the committee together with the traditional ruler, HRM, Eze (Dr.) I. O. Asor, Udi I of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom.
The Eleco Chairman debunked a document circulating online purportedly bearing his signature, describing it as fake.
He maintained that the constitution signed by the four members of the CRC and the version co-signed by the CRC with the traditional ruler on December 30, 2009, were authentic, but said the major difference concerned page nine, Section 10(B).
40-Delegate Provision
According to the version containing the 40-delegate arrangement, Section 10(B) provides for the following representatives for the President-General election:
Umuonyekaibie Village — 7 representatives
Umueze Village — 4 representatives
Obuokwu Village — 5 representatives
Umuogbadara Village — 3 representatives
Umushim Village — 4 representatives
Umuahii Village — 4 representatives
Umuoma Village — 3 representatives
Umuorinji/Umuezeoka/Umudurudo/Ahama (U3) — 4 representatives
Aro — 2 representatives
Obudi Youths — 2 representatives
Traditional Ruler — 2 representatives
Total: 40 representatives.
However, stakeholders also considered a second version containing provisions for 48 delegates, with representatives distributed across the various zones and villages.
48-Delegate Provision
Ihuoba Zone
Umungbogo Village — 2 representatives
Umuofulu Village — 1 representative
Umuigwichoro Village — 1 representative
Umuonaraji/Umuelendu Village — 2 representatives
Umuololo Village — 1 representative
Umuolokoro Village — 1 representative
Umuemerenwa Village — 1 representative
Umukwafor Village — 1 representative
Umueze Zone
Amakpu Village — 3 representatives
Umuohaogbede Village — 1 representative
Umuidioba Village — 2 representatives
Umueleba Village — 1 representative
Obuokwu Zone
Umuogbueghi/Orjiokpu Village — 2 representatives
Umuezike/Umuameche Village — 2 representatives
Umuukwozugboro Village — 1 representative
Umuafama/Umuorji Village — 2 representatives
Umuogbadara Zone
Umuazu Village — 1 representative
Umunaji Village — 1 representative
Umunwata Gwochu Village — 1 representative
Umushim Zone
Umuokegbe Village — 1 representative
Umuemeri Village — 1 representative
Umuigwe Village — 1 representative
Umuagbakoma Village — 1 representative
Umuahii Zone
Umuekeaofor Village — 1 representative
Ebere Village — 1 representative
Umuikegwiọnu Village — 1 representative
Umuoma Zone
Umuowa Village — 1 representative
Umudioha Village — 1 representative
Umuigweriaku Village — 1 representative
U3 Zone
Umuorinji Village — 1 representative
Umuezeoka Village — 1 representative
Umudurudo Village — 1 representative
Ahama Village — 1 representative
Aro Zone
Ndi Onyeukwu Village — 1 representative
Ndi Ibeawuchi Village — 1 representative
Obudi Youths — 2 representatives
Traditional Ruler — 2 representatives
Total: 48 representatives.
The discrepancies between the two versions generated reactions from stakeholders, particularly over the allocation of village representatives.
Those who raised concerns included Hon. Cassidy Ohamara, John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi, Mr. Pascal Uzomezie, Bishop Divineking Akalador, Hon. Christian Okoro Ogbonna, Councillor representing Obudi/Aro Ward, Oguta LGA, and Mr. Chinonye Arubgu.
They argued in support of the 40-representative constitution adopted by the Eleco, following its resolution at the September 9, 2026 virtual meeting.
However, the second constitution, providing for 48 representatives and bearing the signature of the late HRM, Eze (Dr.) I. Asor, Udi I of Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom, received significant support from stakeholders at the meeting.
Supporters argued that the document bearing the signature of the traditional ruler had the force of law over the version signed only by members of the CRC.
After extensive discussions, the Regent appealed to stakeholders to consider the importance of conducting the election peacefully, inherent legal loopholes in the former and the dangers of embarking on constitutional amendments at this stage.
It was subsequently resolved that the constitution containing the 48-representative arrangement and bearing the signature of the traditional ruler should be used for the October 10 election, while amendments could be considered after the election.
The resolution was communicated to the Eleco Chairman for onward communication to the wider membership.
Deforestation, Community Economy
The meeting also expressed concern over the commercial cutting of timber in Obudi forests and swamps without corresponding economic benefits to the people.
Nlemedim said the community needed to take action against what he described as the increasing economic deforestation of Obudi’s natural resources.
“The level of economic deforestation of Obudi swamps without any benefit must be checked,” Nlemedim said.
He added that the leadership of Obudi would look into the matter.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, Mr. Nwaneti Fineboy, popularly known as “Agiriga”, and his team were encouraged to carry out their responsibilities effectively while ensuring that the community derives greater economic returns from its resources.
Committees for Nwaeze’s Burial
Another highlight of the meeting was the constitution of committees for the burial of Dr. G. U. Nwaeze.
The committees include the Security Committee, headed by Mr. Pascal Uzomezie (Major); Works Committee, headed by Mr. JohnKennedy Chinedu Ukaoha; and Media and Publicity Committee, headed by Comr. John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi.
Stakeholders also discussed the need for remedial work on the Agwa/Ejemekwuru/Obudi/Obokofia Egbema road to facilitate smooth vehicular movement during the burial activities.
The meeting agreed that a delegation would be sent to the appropriate authorities to ensure that the road was put in good condition before October 9, 2026.
Stakeholders in Attendance
Among those who attended the meeting were Mr. J. C. Elumezie, Esq.former PG; Sir. Sylvester Chukwuemeka Nlemedim (KSJI), former Chief Protocol Officer, Imo State Government; Hon. Casmir Ohamara, Commissioner, ISOPADEC; Hon. Emeka Umendu, former Councillor, Obudi/Aro Ward; Hon. Christian Okoro Ogbonna, Councillor representing Obudi/Aro Ward; Hon. Williams Chinedu Okenesi, Supervisory Councillor for Education Oguta LGA; Hon. Boniface Esomonu former Councilor Obudi/Aro Ward; Mr. Churchill Nwankwo, ACU Owerri Branch Chairman; Hon. Ugo Aguocha, former Councillor, Obudi/Aro Ward; Bishop Dr. Divineking Akalador, Bishop of Mercy Assembly International; Chief Papa Ibe, Palace Secretary; Chief Bright Orusakwe, former member of the 2009 CRC; Mr. Pascal Uzomezie; Mr. Alias Asor (JKJ); Mr. Osita Ezeocha; Mr. Sampson Ugwuegbu; Mr. Charles Obinna Uzoaru; Mr. Chinonye Arubgu; Mr. Charles Ifeka Onumara (CSO); Mr. Pontus Onyejiawa; Hon. Marvelous Egbulem (GLO), among others.
The stakeholders reaffirmed the need for peace, unity and collective responsibility in addressing the community’s security, electoral, developmental and economic challenges.
The meeting comes ahead of the October 10, 2026 Obudi President-General election and the burial activities for late Dr. G. U. Nwaeze. Discussions focused on strengthening community security, resolving constitutional questions surrounding the election, mobilising Obudi sons and daughters for the burial, protecting community natural resources and improving access roads ahead of the burial.
