The leadership of the Umuahia Branch of Umuahia Premier Club has dissociated the club from a purported endorsement of a political candidate seeking election to the Federal House of Representatives.
In a rejoinder signed by the Branch Chairman, Premier Ako Obioma, and Secretary, Premier Chuka Agomoh, the leadership said the club did not authorise or endorse any candidate for elective political office.
The statement followed reports of an alleged endorsement said to have taken place during the club’s monthly general meeting held on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
The leadership described the purported endorsement as contrary to the founding philosophy and traditions of the organisation, which it said is a socio-cultural, non-partisan and unifying body established to promote fraternity, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and the collective advancement of its members and communities.
According to the statement, the club’s membership of individuals with different political affiliations makes it inappropriate for the organisation to adopt a partisan political position.
The leadership acknowledged that the candidate reportedly endorsed is a member of the club, but stressed that such membership does not give the club a basis to support the individual’s political ambition.
“Membership of the Club cannot, in itself, constitute a basis for transforming the Club into a political platform or committing the collective identity of the Club to the political ambition of any individual member,” the statement said.
The leadership also raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the meeting at which the alleged endorsement was said to have occurred.
It stated that the gathering was convened as the club’s monthly general meeting and was not authorised as a political meeting or forum for endorsing a candidate.
The leadership further alleged that the Branch Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser were absent from the meeting, alongside four national officers from the branch.
It also claimed that the meeting was held at the residence of the candidate concerned, creating circumstances which, according to the leadership, allowed political associates and supporters to introduce a partisan agenda into the gathering.
The leadership said these circumstances required scrutiny, particularly because some attendees were relatively new members who might not have been fully familiar with the club’s established procedures.
The leadership expressly repudiated the purported endorsement, declaring that it did not represent the position of the Umuahia Branch or the club as a whole.
It maintained that no individual, group of members or gathering acting outside the club’s constitutional framework had the authority to commit the organisation to a political position.
“The purported endorsement does not represent the position of the Club and shall not be accorded any recognition or legitimacy whatsoever,” the statement declared.
The leadership said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the preparation and circulation of the purported endorsement and warned that disciplinary measures could be taken against anyone found to have deliberately misrepresented the club’s position or brought its name into disrepute.
The club leadership appealed to members to remain calm and avoid actions or publications capable of escalating the controversy.
It urged members to resolve disagreements through the recognised organs and mechanisms of the organisation rather than through confrontational actions, inflammatory publications or counter-mobilisation.
The leadership also reiterated that the club’s unity and cohesion should not be undermined by individual political ambitions.
According to the statement, members remain free to pursue their political interests in their personal capacities, but the corporate identity of the club must remain insulated from partisan political activities.
The leadership further clarified that only the Chairman, Secretary and Public Relations Officer are authorised to issue or circulate official publications on behalf of the club or branch.
It added that the Secretary and Public Relations Officer must obtain the requisite approval of the Branch Chairman before issuing any official publication.
Consequently, the leadership directed anyone who had circulated or posted the purported endorsement to withdraw it immediately.
It also declared all previously circulated statements, endorsements or communications purporting to represent the branch’s endorsement of a political candidate “null, void and of no effect.”
Members and the general public were advised not to attribute such publications to the club.
Looking ahead, the leadership said future branch meetings would be conducted strictly in accordance with the club’s constitution, established procedures and traditions.
It said matters outside the published agenda or mandate of meetings should not be introduced or concluded in a manner that purports to bind the organisation without the required authority.
Concluding the statement, the leadership described the controversy as an “unfortunate aberration” rather than a reflection of the club’s values and traditions.
It reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to neutrality, unity and institutional integrity.
“Our political affiliations may differ; our cultural heritage unites us,” the leadership stated.
“Our individual political ambitions may vary; the collective interest of our Club and our clans must remain sacrosanct.”
The statement concluded with an unequivocal declaration: “The Club remains non-partisan. The Club remains united. The Club remains for all.”
