OBUDI-AGWA ODU ELECTION POSTPONED INDEFINITELY OVER DELEGATE CONTROVERSY
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Anokoro Modesta
OBUDI-AGWA, OGUTA LGA, IMO STATE — The election of the Central Working Committee of the Obudi-Agwa Development Union (O.D.U.), earlier scheduled for October 10, 2026, has been postponed indefinitely following controversy over the number of delegates allocated to some kindreds and villages.
The decision was contained in a communique issued by the O.D.U. Electoral Committee, dated September 22, 2026, and signed by the Electoral Committee Chairman, Hon. Barr. M.O. Nlemedim; Secretary, Hon. Dr. Louis Nonye Obodo; and the Regent of Obudi-Agwa Autonomous Community, Prince Malachy Asor.
According to the communique, the postponement followed a meeting of the Electoral Committee, the Regent and Chairmen of the various branches of the O.D.U. held on September 16, 2026.
The committee said the decision became necessary following disagreements over delegate allocation and threats by some villages and kindreds to boycott the election scheduled for October 10.
It stated that postponing the election was considered “prudent, reasonable and expedient” in the interest of peace, security and unity in Obudi-Agwa Community.
The Electoral Committee also announced that the Obudi-Agwa General Assembly would hold on Saturday, October 10, 2026, instead of the previously scheduled Central Working Committee election.
A major item on the agenda of the General Assembly, according to the communique, will be the appointment of a Constitution Review Committee to comprehensively review the Obudi-Agwa Development Union Constitution, 2009.
The committee directed that each village, rather than individual kindreds, should nominate a suitable and responsible person to serve on the Constitution Review Committee.
The review is expected to address concerns and objections raised by members of the community regarding some provisions of the 2009 O.D.U. Constitution.
The Electoral Committee further resolved that the election of officers of the O.D.U. Central Working Committee would be conducted on a future date after the review and adoption of the new constitution.
The development comes against the background of earlier disagreements over delegate representation in the community's proposed leadership election. Previous discussions among stakeholders had highlighted differences between versions of the 2009 constitution concerning the number and allocation of delegates.
The O.D.U. Electoral Committee had previously been constituted with Hon. Barr. M.O. Nlemedim as Chairman and Dr. Louis Nonye Obodo as Secretary, while the Central Working Committee election had been scheduled for October 10, 2026.
The latest communique therefore places the constitutional review ahead of the election, with the eventual poll to be conducted after the community considers and adopts the reviewed constitution.
The Electoral Committee urged members of the community to take note of the new development as preparations shift from the postponed election to the October 10 General Assembly and the proposed constitutional review process.
The decision is expected to give stakeholders an opportunity to deliberate on the disputed provisions and establish a framework acceptable to the various components of Obudi-Agwa before another election date is announced.
Obudi-Agwa Ancient Kingdom is one of the prominent and sizeable communities in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, within the Agwa Clan. The community comprises 22 Chiefdoms and seven giant villages.
It is predominantly a farming community with vast fertile land and a long-standing agricultural tradition. Obudi-Agwa is also home to prominent sons and daughters who have contributed to community, public service, professional and socio-economic development.
The O.D.U. serves as an important platform for coordinating community affairs, development initiatives and collective interests among the people of Obudi-Agwa at home and in the diaspora.
The postponement of the Central Working Committee election has consequently placed the proposed constitutional review at the centre of the community's immediate affairs, with the October 10 General Assembly expected to provide the next platform for members to deliberate on the way forward.
Reference: Communique of the O.D.U. Electoral Committee dated September 22, 2026, titled “Postponement of the Election of the Central Working Committee of Obudi-Agwa Development Union (O.D.U.).”
