The Imo State Government has directed various factions in the leadership dispute in Umuderim Autonomous Community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the State to allow the courts adjudicate on the issue and avoid actions that could truncate peace and order in the community.
The Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Community Relations, Ernest Oziri made this call on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in response to appeals from stakeholders for the government’s intervention, reassuring stakeholders of the government’s commitment to peace and constitutional order.
He directed all parties to exercise restraint and decorum pending judicial determination, noting that the leadership dispute was already before a court of competent jurisdiction, hence ordering an immediate suspension of any action that could escalate tensions in the community.
Oziri stated that the State Government’s intervention is aimed at restoring calm and preventing a potential breakdown of law and order in the community, saying he has been mandated to mediate between the conflicting parties.
Oziri said he invited representatives of both factions to his office at the Ahiajoku Civic Centre where he listened carefully to the submissions of each side, emphasizing the government’s neutrality, as well assuring of the administration’s support for due process in settling community leadership matters.
“Demonstrating neutrality and commitment to due process, we have granted separate audiences to the parties, carefully reviewed their submissions, and stress the governor’s firm stance against activities capable of breaching public peace in any autonomous community across the state,” Oziri said.
“We further order an immediate suspension of any action capable of escalating tensions, pending accelerated investigation and legal determination,” he added.
“The Imo State Government remains committed to safeguarding constitutional order, ensuring transparent leadership processes, and preserving the peace for which Umuderim is known,” Oziri concluded.
Checks by Kristina Reports reveal that the crisis began after the death of the community’s traditional ruler in 2023. The late monarch was buried in 2024, thus creating a leadership vacuum in the community. The vacuum triggered disagreements over who should succeed the late ruler.
A parallel dispute also emerged over the leadership of the town union with one group alleging that Geoffrey Iwuagwu’s tenure as President General expired in 2023, claiming that no valid election was conducted to return him to office.
On the other hand, Iwuagwu’s supporters responded that community activities were suspended during the mourning period for the late ruler, stating that elections were conducted after the burial in 2024, returning him as President General.
The disagreements escalated into allegations and counter allegations, threatening the peace and unity of the community.
The Umuderim Autonomous Community comprises 19 Nze wards, three villages – Umuezinaa, Umunemeaku, and Umuezaa – and six kindreds, with two kindreds in each village.
Before the dispute, the community had enjoyed relative peace and stability.
The government’s intervention aims to prevent further breakdown in community unity and to preserve the peace for which Umuderim has been known.