Thickly populated Iho Dimeze community in Ikeduru local government area of Imo state under the aegis of Iho Dimeze Town Union (IDTU) on Saturday April 11, 2026 successfully, elected a 15-member formidable executive squad to pilot the affairs of the community for the next four years.
The election which was conducted in a most transparent, free and credible manner has been adjudged as a model for other communities in Imo state. This is even as those in attendance including the media had applauded the former Rector, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo Prof Anderson Chidi Amadioha for delivering a town Union election devoid of manipulation, crisis and injustice.
Before the commencement of the election at the Iho-Dimeze township stadium last Saturday, the chairman of the electoral committee, Prof Anderson Amadioha had recalled that the democratic election of Iho Dimeze town union, the apex political, socio-cultural and administrative arm of Iho autonomous community came after several years of living in limbo.
Amadioha, who is a Professor at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, described the day’s event as historic, recalled that the absence of consolidated traditional authority in the community many years after the demise of His Royal Highness, Eze Ernest Onwuegbu, Dimeze 1 of Iho-Dimeze in 2009 gave rise to misunderstanding and several legal disputes on the town union executives, adding that some of the disputes are still pending in court.
He said that despite series of challenges, the electoral committee remained focused, committed and guided by due process, operating within the framework of the laws of Imo state and the IDTU constitution, to ensure the emergence of legitimate, credible and people-driven town union government.
Prof Anderson Amadioha expressed immense gratitude to Imo state government, the commissioner in charge of the state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Chief (Mrs) Ruby Emele, the executive chairman of Ikeduru local government, Hon Justice Nze as well as well-meaning sons and daughters of Iho Dimeze community for their support and contributions in cash and kind which enabled the electoral committee achieve marvellous success.
The IDTU electoral committee chairman expressed profound appreciation to the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Dr Martin Chieke Amaku, Jp, Dimeze II of Iho Dimeze ancient kingdom and the EDTU roadmap committee under the leadership of Barr John Unachukwu for assisting the electoral committee achieve it’s mandate.
The town union election which took place under a peaceful, free and fair atmosphere produced a legal practitioner, Barr Chuks Austin Njoku as IDTU president-general and Mr Henshaw Uchegbu as chairman of home branch of IDTU.
Other officers elected at the massively attended event are Chukwudi Osuji, vice president-general, Mr Charles Obiyo, secretary-general, Okey Iwuji, financial secretary, Anyagwa Maduakolam, treasurer, Denis Egbujor, public relations officer and Ude Kelechi, provost.
Others are Darlington Unogu, vice chairman, home branch, Mr Maxwell Udeh, secretary, home branch, Okey Amadi, assistant secretary, Pat Osuji, financial secretary, home branch, Christian Ejimadu, treasurer, John Amajuoyi, PRO, home branch and Ebere Sopuru, provost.
In their separate acceptance speech, the IDTU president-general, Barr Chuks Austin Njoku and chairman, home branch, Mr Henshaw Uchegbu promised to discharge their duties creditably and in line with the constitution of Iho Dimeze community and within the framework of the laws of Imo state.
The EDTU president-general as well as the chairman of home branch pledged full commitment to the sacred duty of fostering peace, promoting transparency, strengthening community accountability, cohesion, inclusiveness as well as driving sustainable development and progress across entire Iho Dimeze community.
In attendance at the event were representatives of Imo state ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, the executive chairman of Ikeduru local government, Rt Hon Justice Nze, Sir Foster Uwakwe, members of Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the traditional ruler of the community and other members of his cabinet.
Executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA Hon Justice Nze in his brief speech congratulated the entire people of Iho-Dimeze for coming out in their numbers to elect those that will man their town Union activities in the next four years.
Nze said his administration and that of Gov Hope Uzodimma were committed to fostering peace in rural communities to ensure all round development and progress.
