ODUFFA: Football game elections pitch two villages together in Aninri

Elections of new leaders of Oduma Football Federated Association (ODUFFA) would hold on January 1, 2026. Already – like always – tempers are rising, as the contestants and their supporters draw swords and are beginning to fight dirty on social media.

At the centre of the contention lies crucial assumption that the association’s presidency is, in fact, the only serious position. Although football usually bring the 18 Oduma villages together, contest for ODUFFA presidency always divide them.

Two men has stepped out, vying for the all-important spot in Oduma football community. Mr Augustine Uwanekwu is from Amagu community while Mr Samson Okechukwu is from Amorji Oduma.

The little we know about the ODUFFA presidencial candidates

Augustine Uwanekwu (alias Mbe Kwuoto), about 37 years old, schooled at Central School Oduma between 1994 and 2000. An avid sports lover, Uwanekwu has participated in all sports activities during his primary school days, representing his school more than once in Aninri and around Enugu State.

At Community Secondary School Oduma, where he furthered his education, Mbe – as he is popularly known – left even bigger imprints. Again, he was in sports and also made marks in Man-O-War society.

His aspiration to join the army after his graduation, however, suffered setback. So Mbe returned to Oduma and resumed his passions: sports and politics.

He won the ODUFFA’s best goalkeeper of the year four consecutive times. Retiring from playing Amagu team, Mbe was appointed it’s coach. In matter of months he had beat it to shape and won ODUFFA trophy two consecutive times, making him the only coach to achieve such a feat in Amagu football history.

Mbe kwoto has served several administrations in different capacities in Amagu autonomous community. Currently the Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oduma ward 2, Mbe gets around a lot.

His leadership skills and his boundless energy are behind his mass following and popularity in Oduma and beyond.

In the other hand, Samson Okechukwu is from Amorji. Much is not known about his childhood as some alleged he had lived and schooled in the North until his adolescence age.

One time president of defunct National Association of Oduma Undergraduates – the association he helped to destroy – Samson is a moderately successful builder by local standard. Although a lover of football, he never play for his Amorji community in ODUFFA tournaments. Sometimes, he is tapped to officiate matches.

But Samson Okechukwu – popularly called Sammy – is allegedly an irredeemable gambler, literally living in bets houses and playing Visuals irresponsibly.

In his first campaign speech before Oduma online communities recently, he proposed to convert ODUFFA to women league where men’s participation would be abysmally minimal.

“We know why he said that,” Ekene Nwachukwu from Ukete village told Info Wars, adding that Sammy is a first-class womaniser.

How Amorji and Amagu are reacting to the elections

Nearly every person in Amagu is “fully supporting” Augustine Uwanekwu for ODUFFA presidency, several informal surveys show. According to sources from Amorji, there are reasons – apart from competence question – why Sammy is not enjoying such acceptance in his own place.

“He impregnated three village girls across Oduma and denied all of them,” a man from Amorji said in anonymity.

“Second, our people (Amorji) fielded a great candidate, a man who could have given ODUFFA noble job. That young man is the people’s choice; he is loved among Oduma sports community.

“Sammy is no match to this man. But it was Sammy who vowed that ‘over his dead body’ should he step down for the man whom Amorji as a community had nominated. The man has since withdrawn from the race.

“Amorji can’t afford to bring shame to its name before Oduma by supporting a man we’re sure would disappoint ODUFFA. We can’t send a third-rate candidate while we have some excellent men in Amorji. Sammy must withdraw or he can go ahead, alone to the polls,” the source concluded.

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FULL LIST: beneficiaries of Anayo Onwuegbu empowerment programme; a woman gets okada

It’s now four days after Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu gifted his loyalists with various items in an elaborate show he labelled “empowerment programme”. Yet his constituents are still talking about it with unusual interest.

But it’s a thing of interest, anyways. Particularly glaring are the names who received the gifts, and the gifts themselves.

Info Wars reported that Onwuegbu, the House of Representatives of Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River constituency, shared fufu (utara egboro) pounding machines, knapsack sprayers, hand hair dryers, fertilisers, and motorcycles to his constituents.

Name of beneficiaries of Anayo Onwuegbu empowerment programme

  1. Hon. Uche Ogbonnafufu (utara egboro ) machine
  2. Hon. Mark Ogbonna – maize seedlings
  3. Hon. Jonathan Ivoke – sewing machine
  4. ‘Elder Stateman’ – sewing machine
  5. Hon. El Aja Ogbonna – Knapsack sprayer
  6. Hon. Gabriel Ukpabi – Hand hair Dryer
  7. Mrs. Gladys Chukwu – Motorcycle

Why we hate what Engr. Onwuegbu did – Okpanku Worldwide

Okpanku Worldwide, pressure group within the constituency, has issued warning that it would work against the lawmaker should he want to seek reelection in 2027.

In a phone chat with Info Wars by its President James Ajah, the group clarified the points it’s pained.

“I don’t have problems with giving people gifts; that’s good. But the benefactor ought to have considered the needs of those receiving those gifts beforehand.

“This man gave hair dryer to my brother, Hon Gabriel Ukpabi. What would he be doing with hair dryer? Unless he has told our Rep that he is dreaming of starting female hair salon business in coming days,” the President said.

It’s noteworthy that Gabriel Ukpabi served in the lofty position as the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG) of Aninri between 2022 and 2024. One time council Chairman and former Commissioner for Labour and Employment in Enugu State, Hon. Uche Ogbonna is not just a good man in many people’s definition but he is also a major stakeholder in Enugu West politics.

Also, Engr. Jonathan Ivoke, El Ajah, ‘Elder Stateman’, and Mark Ogbonna are well-meaning figures in several important circles.

“The worst of it is the utara egbolo machine [fufu pounding machine] given to some of our major stakeholders. Empowering a former council chairman with utara egboro machine is the height of the insult,” former aide to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Cmr. Christian Onyeabor, said.

One Mrs Gladys Chukwu who is middle-aged received commercial motorcycle (Okada). Yet another woman, from Inyi Achi was given a bag of fertiliser.

Anyone examining the gifts and the beneficiaries would find the brains of a simpleton at work. For example, what would a full-time trader from Inyi Achi be doing with fertiliser in a dry season? Even in Aninri, which boasts of most fertile farmlands in the constituency, fertiliser is not anyone’s priority at this moment because planting season is long gone and the next one isn’t anywhere in sight.

Again, if Mrs Gladys Chukwu sells her Okada then the purpose of the empowerment is defeated. Would she now convert from petty trader to Okada rider? We’ll have to find out.

Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, many times in the past, has proven that he understands nothing about representation. As next election season draws closer we’ll see whether or not he’ll respect himself by not seeking reelection.

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“Godfrey Okoye University is the best,” Prince Nwanjoku says at its 13th Convocation

The Chairman of Aninri local government area Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku graced the 13th Convocation ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University.

It was the gathering of the eagles as several other dignitaries from Enugu State and across the nation came.

Alumnus of the school, Prince Nwanjoku, when speaking to cheering crowd of students, said his coming was meant to inspire them.

But Godfrey Okoye University in itself provides inspiration. Founded in 2009, it’s the first university owned by a Catholic Diocese in Africa. Since then it has produced several accomplished professionals and successful leaders in different works of life.

“I attended this epoch-making event as an alumnus to encourage other students, especially the less privileged,” Nwanjoku began.

Although the Aninri council chairman is born into a well-to-do family of late iconic king of Ndumeze Kingdom and former Enugu State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Igwe Onyioha Nwanjoku, he has worked to make his own bones in circular politics, playing the big league. He is the first Aninri chairman to ascend the seat without the help of the so-called kingmakers.

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Why Rep Anayo Onwuegbu will still win in 2027 – Analysis

As dates for campaigns for 2027 elections draw nearer, political hopefuls are getting serious with their calculations.

In Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River federal constituency plots, conspiracies and schemes are already underway; with them lie the thrills and betrayal that would spice the drama during the electioneering campaigns. But Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, member representing the zone in the House of Representatives, has enormous advantages.

He has already joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Peter Mbah and others. Also, he has promised, or have started providing, support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term reelection bid. In other words, Engr. Onwuegbu is in the right and powerful circles both at the state and federal levels – an unequal advantage that makes him taller than any prospective opponents in the coming race.

But his strength will come mostly from the fact that most of the hopefuls that would be competing with him are plain idiots.

In Aninri, some persons can no longer hide their intent to challenge the lawmaker at the polls. One of them, deploying his loyalists on social media, has started badmouthing Engr. Onwuegbu, claiming that he is occupying the chance meant for the people of Aninri. This man’s strategy is easy to see through – he hopes to exploit people’s sentiments and unite the council area against Onwuegbu.

But that strategy shows the brains of a fool, and it’s not going to hold water. For one thing, the plan fails to consider the interests of one man who holds greatest influence in Aninri politics at the moment.

Emerging from the shadows, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku rode to prominence when Governor Mbah “anointed” him candidate for Aninri chairmanship in August 2024. Since then, the young man, after winning, has worked tirelessly to fasten his grips to power.

Time and time again, he has said publicly his intentions for second-term in 2026. And he has the governor’s ears like no other Aninri chairman ever did, having secured his present position without the help of the so-called kingmakers in Aninri politics.

Governor Peter Mbah would be relying on Nwanjoku to win Aninri in 2027, and the young man is absolutely capable. All his plans are not known, but it certainly can’t be his plan to support anyone from Aninri to go to House of Representatives in 2027. He would be upsetting the existing status quo which he is benefiting well from.

Presently, powers are equitably shared among the three main micro-zones in Aninri. Engr. Magnus Edeh and Lloyd Ekweremadu – from Nenwe and Umunne-Ato zones – are State Assembly member and Commissioner for Youths and Sports respectively, while Prince Nwanjoku – from Oduma zone – is the chairman of the council.

Since the choice of the candidate for federal constituency would be decided early 2026, Nwanjoku is not likely to allow clannish prejudice to direct him. If he supports Aninri man going for House of Representatives he would be writing himself off as the chairmanship candidate in the next council elections around October 2026.

And the Ndumeze Prince, an ambitious person, is certainly not going to place anyone’s interests above his. His smartest moves must include working to foil any Aninri man’s attempt to replace Anayo Onwuegbu in 2027. If he does that, he himself would have ample opportunity to go for the seat in 2031.

The chairman also knows that he cannot afford support a losing candidate. And, so far, all of them who are showing interest for Onwuegbu’s seat are losers going by their credentials.

A lot is still certain to change between now and the decision dates. But constant is the fact that Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku is a core, smart politician. If Governor Peter Mbah – the ultimate godfather – chooses to support Anayo Onwuegbu, Nwanjoku will deliver the lawmaker’s reelection bid with accuracy.

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