The Ogwashi-Uku Town Union (OTU) has denounced the actions of the executives of the Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), accusing them of working to incite communal unrest and destabilize the peaceful Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
Rising from an emergency meeting held in Ogwashi-Uku on Sunday, the OTU leadership resolved to put an end to the repeated attempts by a faction of the ODA to cause communal crisis, describing the group as “expired, criminally compromised, and completely without authority to speak for the people of Ogwashi-Uku.”
“These same individuals have a long record of betrayal, deceit, and violence against our community. It was almost exactly two years ago, during the annual Ineh Festival, that these ODA executives orchestrated a terrorist attack on His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II, at his Palace. Now, as the community once again prepares for this sacred season, they are back to their old tricks — trying to divide the kingdom and create disunity,” the OTU declared.
The OTU said the timing and tone of the ODA’s latest communiqué were deliberately provocative and meant to distract from the peace and unity that have returned to the kingdom.
“Since the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku won at the Supreme Court again for the second time in April 2025, and since their lies were exposed and their schemes collapsed before the State Commission of Inquiry, they have resorted to cheap propaganda, falsehoods, and manufactured crises. This shall fail, just as all their previous attempts have failed,” the Town Union stated.
According to the OTU, several of the ODA’s signatories are facing serious criminal charges.
“Two of their key advisers — the so-called Secretary-General, Mazi Eluemuno Adigwe, and their Legal Adviser, Barrister Francis Okolie — are standing trial at the Federal High Court, Asaba, for terrorism and attempted murder after leading the 2023 attack on the Obi’s Palace. Two others face murder charges, and one of their associates has already been convicted,” the statement read.
The Town Union further accused the ODA of hypocrisy and dishonesty, pointing out that its members were directly involved in the fraudulent sale of hundreds of acres of Ogwashi-Uku land worth hundreds of millions of naira, with the proceeds paid into private accounts.
“Now that the Obi, through lawful and judicially backed processes, has recovered those lands for the people and the kingdom, they are crying foul and spreading falsehood. Their latest claim that the Obi ordered farmers to obtain permission before farming is a complete lie,” the OTU clarified.
The Union explained that no farmer in Ogwashi-Uku has been stopped from legitimate farming, emphasizing that the Obi merely directed that anyone wishing to farm on lands recovered by court judgment should obtain permission for coordination and record-keeping purposes, since those estates remain under judicial possession.
“His Majesty has encouraged all genuine farmers to farm peacefully. Nobody has been prevented from tilling the soil or harvesting crops. Only those who profited from illegally sold lands are complaining,” the statement added.
The OTU also criticized the ODA for turning a blind eye to massive land grabbing in Olodu and other parts of the kingdom, accusing them of repeatedly acting against the collective interest of Ogwashi-Uku.
“They have been deaf and dumb to the criminal land sales in Olodu and other areas. Instead of defending their people, they have become mouthpieces for those who robbed the community of its heritage. They should learn from the fate of separatist agitators like Francis Oduwanor, who led failed protests and is now in the Ogwashi-Uku prison for his crimes. Their actions are treasonable and an affront to the peace of this kingdom,” the OTU said.
The Town Union reaffirmed its loyalty to the Obi and warned that any attempt by the ODA to disrupt the forthcoming Ineh (New Yam) Festival or disturb the peace of the community would be firmly resisted.
“Ogwashi-Uku people will no longer tolerate these provocations. If the ODA executives are unhappy with being part of this kingdom, they are free to leave. They are now persona non grata within Ogwashi-Uku. Their falsehoods and divisive tactics have no place here,” the OTU concluded.
