…As Ahiara Patriotic Forum kicks , vows showdown
Ahiazu Mbaise APC, once again, is in the news, over the political ambition of various interest groups concerning 2027.
Saturday, July 12, 2025, LGA party Chairman, Ethelbert Ugwu, convened a meeting of his Ekwerazu clan at the Owerri residence of newly the recognized traditional ruler of Ihitteafoukwu community, Eze Okwudiri Nwandu, who, allegedly, has continued to play partisan politics, even after being handed a staff of office by Governor Hope Uzodinma about three months ago, even though it is alleged that he usurped the stool, as a section of his community has vowed not to recognize him.
Chief Ugwu, the controversial party Chairman, who hails from Ekwerazu clan, wants to return as party Chairman in the next congress, even though the position will automatically go to Ahiara clan, just as the Federal House, State Assembly and Council Chairman will revert to Ekwerazu clan in the next cycle. Ugwu’s exposed game plan is to trade off one of the Ekwerazu positions in order to remain as party Chairman. But unfortunately, those who attended the clan meeting, including Political appointees, party leaders and stakeholders, vehemently informed Ugwu that he must let Ahiara clan have their party Chairmanship position, as Ekwerazu will under no circumstance, relinquish the House of Reps, State Assembly and Council Chairman. The Party Chairman, whose current tenure has, allegedly, brought unprecedented division and incessant bickering in the LGA Party, due to his high- handed and dictatorial leadership style was said to be rattled by the outcome.
Now, leaders of the other clan, especially, Ahiara Patriotic Forum, is up in arms for a number of reasons. Reacting to the development, leader of the group, Okenze Paul Chilaka decried the hypocritical behavior of the Chairman, “who has been making empty threats against clan meetings, to now turn around and be convening clan meetings just for selfish reasons.” Also, reacting on the issue, other leaders of the group, are unanimous in their opinion that apart from the party Chairmanship position coming to Ahiara, the worst thing that can happen to the LGA is for Ugwu to return, as it will spell doom and lead to the total annihilation of the Party in Ahiazu. Chief Echendu Meregini, in his words, said that “even his people of Ekwerazu clan can not wait for him to leave office due to his constant antagonism towards Ekwerazu political office holders since he assumed office as Party Chairman”
Also, in his own reaction, Secretary of the group, Hon Chukwuma Uwalaka is livid, and wondered “why a Traditional ruler should often be dabbling in partisan politics” and has vowed that the group will make an official petition to the Governor, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and to the Chairman of Imo Traditional Rulers Council, to call him to order or they will proceed on a public protest.
The group put all their political problems at the door step of the suspended and re-instated House member, Hon Sam Otuibe, their kinsman, who has totally abandoned his legislative and Leadership duties and continue to gallivant, as he allegedly doesn’t even attend plenary, no constituency office or briefing, even for once, and not in touch with his party or constituents. They described Otuibe’s mandate as a total waste and warned him never to dream of vying for any position in Ahiazu again.
Meanwhile, another bomb which is about to explode in Ahiazu is the toxic relationship between the Executive Chairman, Larry Chikwe and his Councillors, who the Legislators have, for long, accused of total neglect of their welfare including non assignment of offices, non disbursement of their financial packages, inability to sit owing to the fact that the Council Chairman, since assumption of office is in possession of the mace, which is their symbol of authority. Even the Deputy Chairman, Seclog and Supervisors have no offices, which many see as a deliberate action by the Chairman to render everyone ineffective and redundant.
As the tension unfolds, it is left for the state party Leadership and government to act quickly before disenchanted party members and leaders in the LGA jump into the waiting hands of the opposition.
