A simmering dispute has erupted between the acting President General of Umudibia Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, and the Council Chairman, Hon. Victor Osigwe, over the appointment of a caretaker committee to oversee the community’s town union affairs.

The controversy began when the Council Chairman suspended the Umudibia Town Union general election on May 16, 2025, citing security concerns.

However, residents alleged that the chairman’s real intention was to install his preferred candidates, which led him to appoint a caretaker committee without consulting the traditional ruler, HRH Eze Godwin Onyewuchi Merenini, contrary to earlier expectations.

Rev. Dr. Jesse Oziri, the Acting President General, appointed by Eze-in-Council pending the election of town union executive, has vehemently opposed the Council chairman’s decision, arguing that it exceeds his constitutional powers and threatens the community’s peace.

“The LGA chairman has a history of disrupting community elections,” Oziri stated, citing past instances of interference.

“We resist the chairman’s attempt to disrupt the peaceful coexistence in the community by installing his puppet caretaker committee,” Oziri warned, urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to caution the LG Chairman.

The community has also distanced itself from a public notice announcing a community briefing, which was signed by individuals purporting to be the President General and Secretary General of the town union, despite allegedly being appointed under different designations.

Curiously, the initial appointment letter issued by the Council Chairman, designated the committee members as Chairman and Secretary, but when they issued a public notice for a meeting at Umudibia Community Primary School, they altered the nomenclature to President General and Secretary General, respectively. This inconsistency has raised suspicions about the committee’s true intentions.

Residents expressed shock and disappointment over the caretaker committee’s appointment without consulting the traditional ruler.

Oziri lamented the chairman’s neglect of his primary responsibilities, including waste evacuation and infrastructure maintenance, which has left the community without electricity for four months and roads abandoned. “The chairman’s priorities are misplaced,” he said.

As tension builds, residents are holding their breath, hoping the governor will intervene to prevent a breakdown of peace in the community.

Despite the intervention of the Department of State Security (DSS) at the local government level, tensions remained unresolved, with no tangible agreement being reached. (The Nation)