Members of Awo Ommama community in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State have rejected a recent protest reportedly staged at the Imo State Government House in Owerri against Austin Onyedebelu, describing the demonstration as misleading and politically motivated.
The community made its position known in a rejoinder published on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, following what it described as a recent demonstration against Onyedebelu.
The statement, signed by Anthony Nwoke, identified as the Youth President of Awo Ommama Community, alongside another community representative, described Onyedebelu as an illustrious son of the community and defended his contributions to its development.
The community maintained that Onyedebelu had used his influence, goodwill and public standing to attract development and opportunities to Awo Ommama.
It also rejected allegations concerning his involvement in the award of government contracts or the disbursement of funds meant for public projects, insisting that he had no role in such processes.
The community further alleged that individuals behind the protest were attempting to create division and tension in Awo Ommama rather than pursue the genuine interests of residents.
It specifically accused some individuals of having no recognised political, religious or traditional positions within the community, while also making other allegations concerning their activities and sources of income.
Those allegations were made by the community representatives and have not been independently established by Kristina Reports.
A major part of the community’s response centred on the use of a Federal Government property identified as the Post Office premises in Awo Ommama.
According to the community, the property had allegedly been leased to a private individual for commercial activities, while another structure erected in front of the premises was said to be obstructing the facility and affecting the Awo Ommama road.
The community alleged that recognised community leaders had previously intervened in the dispute and directed that the structure be relocated, but claimed that the structure was subsequently expanded.
It further alleged that the disagreement over the property formed part of the circumstances surrounding the recent protest against Onyedebelu.
The community said it had insisted that the disputed structure should be removed and called for compliance with decisions reached by recognised community authorities.
It also alleged that the property had been used for private commercial purposes and made a further allegation concerning activities it described as a criminal hideout.
Kristina Reports could not independently verify those allegations or establish from the available material whether any law-enforcement investigation or judicial finding had been made concerning the property.
The community therefore urged members of the public to disregard what it described as unfounded allegations against Onyedebelu and called for peace, unity and responsible engagement among residents of Awo Ommama.
The development comes against the background of Onyedebelu’s public roles in Imo State and his documented relationship with Awo Ommama.
On Friday, February 14, 2025, while serving as Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Onyedebelu visited Offekatta III Autonomous Community in Awo Ommama during an inspection of oil-producing communities.
During the visit, he described his appointment to head the commission as “a call to serve” and sought the support of leaders and residents in the oil-producing areas.
Onyedebelu later emerged as chairman of the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, adding a political responsibility to his public profile.
His role at the oil-producing areas commission had also attracted public scrutiny before the latest Awo Ommama controversy, with a youth stakeholders’ group in July 2026 calling for his replacement and raising allegations about the commission’s performance under his leadership.
Those claims were made by the group and remain distinct from the current Awo Ommama community dispute.
More recently, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Onyedebelu was reported to have undertaken working visits to the National Directorate of Employment and the National Automotive Design and Development Council as part of efforts to establish strategic partnerships for youth development through the commission.
The latest controversy has therefore brought together questions concerning community affairs, the use of public property, Onyedebelu’s public responsibilities and competing positions within Awo Ommama.
The community, however, reaffirmed its support for Onyedebelu and urged stakeholders to avoid actions capable of creating division or communal tension.
It also commended the Imo State Government for its confidence in Onyedebelu, saying his appointment reflected the trust placed in his ability to serve.
At the time of filing this report, Kristina Reports had not independently obtained the original petition or statement presented by the protesters at the Government House and therefore could not independently verify the full allegations reportedly contained in the protest.
The community’s September 16 response consequently provides the clearest documented account currently available of its position on the dispute, while the allegations attributed to the opposing side require their original petition or an independent response before they can be reported as established facts.
