Re-Crisis Looming in Ihitte/Uboma as Council Chairman Dismisses Alleged Legislative Coup, Calls for Calm
By Anselem Anokwute
The Executive Chairman of Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Hon. Prince Obioha Ndukwe, has dismissed reports alleging that the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Egeonu, was impeached and replaced, describing the claims as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary political tension within the council.
Speaking with journalists amid growing speculation over the leadership of the Legislative Council, Ndukwe refuted reports that Hon. Emeka Ekere had emerged as the new Council Leader, insisting that no lawful process had taken place to effect any change in the leadership structure of the legislature and warned against any insinuations of crisis looming in the Council as falsehood and the imagination of the opposition after seeing the successful conduct of APC primary election in the area.
According to the council chairman, the Executive Arm of the local government has not received any official communication indicating that the Legislative Council has altered its leadership.
He maintained that changes in legislative leadership cannot be effected through rumours, unofficial declarations, or social media reports, but must follow laid-down constitutional and legislative procedures.
“The reports making the rounds are unfounded and should be disregarded by members of the public. As far as the Executive Arm is concerned, there has been no official notification of any leadership change in the Legislative Council,” he stated.
Ndukwe expressed concern that the circulation of unverified information was already generating confusion among residents, political stakeholders, and supporters of the council, warning that such developments could threaten the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the area.
He urged individuals behind the reports to refrain from actions capable of heating up the political atmosphere, stressing that governance and service delivery should take precedence over political intrigues.
The chairman noted that his administration remains focused on executing developmental projects across the local government, including Building Bridges, road rehabilitation, security enhancement, market infrastructure, and educational improvements.
He further called on councillors and political actors to remain committed to their responsibilities and avoid actions capable of deepening divisions within the council.
According to him, disagreements arising from political interests should be resolved through lawful and democratic processes rather than through actions that could erode public confidence in government institutions.
Commenting on the political climate ahead of the September 2026 local government elections, Ndukwe urged aspirants and their supporters to pursue their ambitions peacefully and in accordance with democratic principles.
He emphasized that leadership should be determined by competence, performance, and service to the people rather than by crisis-driven political manoeuvres.
The council chairman also referenced the long-standing zoning arrangement in Ihitte/Uboma, noting that the leadership rotation framework between the Ihitte and Uboma blocs remains an important mechanism for maintaining political balance and inclusiveness.
He explained that, under the existing arrangement, the Uboma bloc is expected to produce the next Executive Chairman of the local government, adding that stakeholders should respect the understanding in the interest of equity and harmony.
Ndukwe appealed to traditional rulers, youth organizations, women’s groups, community leaders, and political stakeholders to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions over unverified reports.
He advised residents to rely solely on official channels of communication for information concerning the affairs of the local government.
Reassuring the public, the chairman stated that both the Executive and Legislative arms of the council continue to function harmoniously and without disruption.
He reiterated that Rt. Hon. Kennedy Egeonu remains the duly recognized Leader of the Legislative Council pending any official and lawful communication to the contrary.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming local government elections, Ndukwe called for unity, peace, and collective commitment to development, stressing that political instability serves no one’s interest.
He maintained that the government in Ihitte/Uboma do not own any councillor and should be seen as working in the same page before some of them decided to influence the system and the Leader of the Council resistance resulted in the misunderstanding and not generated to crisis but a political misunderstanding that will be resolved politically.