Mpam leaders back Gov Uzodinma’s health insurance, vigilante amidst outrage over alleged substitution of PG, Tony Odom’s name in security plan

 

Maureen Aguta

 

Leaders and titled men in Mpam Autonomous Community, an Imo community in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area (LGA) have reiterated their unalloyed support for the progressive policies of His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma’ administration.

Specifically, they said that they are fully in support of the recent Health Insurance Scheme and the community policing programme initiative of the Governor, better known as Community Vigilante.

To this end, the community at the end of their meeting at the Palace of Eze Leonard Ogbata, Onugotu 11 of Mpam Autonomous Community, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 implored the revered Traditional Ruler to work with the PG, Hon Tony Odom ensuring full implementation of the Community Vigilante initiative of the Governor in Mpam.

They warned that they are not unaware of the allegation that the Chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise, Chief Larry Chikwe is angling to substitute the name of Mpam President General, Hon Tony Odom with anybody not elected by the community in the security form.

According to them, if confirmed that the LG Chairman have done that, they would not hesitate to lead a protest march to the Office of the Governor of Imo State, HE Senator Hope Uzodinma to notify him of the impunity, which they vowed to resist.

The Mpam leaders unequivocally stated that given that the election of PG Tony Odom followed the Mpam Constitution and the current Imo State Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters (Amendment) Law No 10 of 2020, also given that the election was held in a very peaceful atmosphere and there was no form of protestation by the losers in the election or their supporters after the election, and Eze Onugotu 11 of Mpam Autonomous Community, officially inaugurated the Tony Odom led executives immediately after the election; they stated that all the shenanigans, underground moves and maneuverings to prevent PG Tony Odom from performing his lawful duty and in his place put in place an illegal ‘caretaker committee’ and or carry out another election; will not be tolerated by Mpam people.

They appealed to the Local Government Chairman, Chief Larry Chikwe to work with their elected president general, Hon Tony Odom, saying as the community supports the government of Governor Hope Uzodinma, the community is equally ready to cooperate with his administration, but they warned that if he goes ahead with the alleged maneuvering to prevent PG Tony Odom from discharging his duties as the PG of Mpam Autonomous Community, they will lodge a complaint of his unwarranted interference to the office of the governor through a protest march.

They further alleged that there could not be any other reason why the LG Chairman has such undue interest in the internal affairs of Mpam Progressive Union (MPU), but for the illegal sale (leasing) of the government property (the uncompleted Mpam Modern Bakery) in Mpam.

They alleged that despite the community’s protests that the Local government authority should not trade with the government land in Mpam, which was reportedly donated to the government for the overriding interest of the public, the Local Government under the watch of Chief Larry Chikwe allegedly went ahead to sell bakery site to a private individual, a know associate of the LG Chairman.

According to them, the bakery site has already been demolished by the buyer as he sets to commence building his hotel there.

Demolished site of Mpam Modern Bakery

 

Recall that the election of the new executives to run the affairs of Mpam autonomous community was held at Mpam Civic Center on December 26, 2024; and Hon Tony Odom was elected president general.

Some of the elders of Mpam who spoke to Advocacy Times in different interviews after the election disclosed that the LG Chairman, was among the top dignitaries and leaders of Mpam that graced the December 26, 2024 Statutory Meeting of Mpam Progressive Union, the umbrella body of Mpam people at home and abroad.

The highpoints of the meeting was the dissolution of the Hon Charles Ogbata led executives of the MPU, and an election of the new executives consequent upon which Hon Tony Odom emerged as the president general.

Also in attendance were the good people of Mpam and their traditional ruler, HRH Eze Leonard Ogbata, titled man, the Councillor representing Mpam Ward in the Ahiazu Mbaise LGA Legislature, Hon Kinsley Okadike.

The LG Chairman reportedly came to the event with truck load of military men and the police.

They disclosed that three persons who indicated interest to contest for the office of PG of Mpam were: Hon Tony Odom, Chief Frank Ogoko and Mr. Anthony Ogu.

“During the election, Mr. Frank walked out of the venue of the election leaving Hon Tony Odom and Mr. Anthony Ogu, hence, the election was conducted for the two using the process of Option A4.

“Mr. Anthony Ogu got 36 votes while Hon Tony Odom secured 140 votes to emerge as the winner of the election.

At the end of the whole exercise, Hon Tony Odom and other newly elected executives were sworn into office by Eze Leonard Ogbata.

HRH Eze Loenard Ogbata, Onugotu 11 of Mpan Autonomous Community, inaugurating the PG Tony Odom and executives of Mpam Progressive Union (MPU), after the December 26, 2024 election.

 

However few days after the election, it was disclosed that some people organised themselves and went to present the former Regent of Mpam autonomous community, Chief Ogoko to the LG Chairman as their own PG of Mpam and the local government authority reportedly said that it will recognise and work with Chief Ogoko.

As the position of the chairman was about to degenerate in a huge crisis as the community insisted that on Hon Tony Odom mandate they stand, the chairman jettisoned their idea of imposing Chief Ogoko on the community, even as he is alleged to be determined to impose what he calls ‘interim committee’ to hold fort for period when a fresh election will be held.

They called on the LG Chairman to retrace his steps, and respect the current law of the state– Imo State Traditional Rulers, Autonomous Communities and Allied Matters (Amendment) Law No. 10 of 2020, which it provision on election of PGship is unambiguously ties to the Constitution of the union, in this case the Constitution of MPU.

They further reiterated their resolve to stand firmly on the mandate they freely gave to Hon Odom, saying on  no condition will they allow any caretaker committee or holding of a fresh election in the community as their constitution does not recognise any of those aberrations.