The leadership of the Umuahia Branch of Umuahia Premier Club has repudiated a purported endorsement of a candidate contesting for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, saying the development does not represent the position of the club.
In a rejoinder dated September 21, 2026 and signed by the Branch Chairman, Premier Ako Obioma, and Premier Chuka Agomoh, the club described itself as a socio-cultural, non-partisan and unifying organisation that does not endorse partisan political candidates.
The leadership said its attention was drawn to an alleged endorsement made during the branch’s monthly general meeting held on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
According to the statement, the purported endorsement constituted a departure from the club’s established tradition and could create division among members with different political affiliations and preferences.
The leadership acknowledged that the candidate reportedly endorsed is a member of the club and has the right to pursue political aspirations, but stressed that such membership does not give the club a political identity or authorise it to endorse the individual’s candidacy.
The statement also questioned the circumstances surrounding the meeting, noting that several key branch officers, including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Legal Adviser, were reportedly absent.
It further alleged that the meeting was held at the residence of the candidate concerned, creating circumstances in which political associates and supporters could introduce a partisan agenda into what was scheduled as a monthly club meeting.
The club leadership therefore declared that the purported endorsement does not represent the collective position of the Umuahia Branch and should not be accorded recognition or legitimacy.
It also stated that the circumstances surrounding the preparation and circulation of the purported endorsement were being investigated, adding that disciplinary measures could be taken against anyone found to have deliberately misrepresented the club or acted without authority.
The leadership urged members to remain calm and avoid actions, statements or publications capable of escalating the disagreement.
It further clarified that only the Chairman, Secretary and Public Relations Officer are authorised to issue official publications on behalf of the club or branch, with the Secretary and PRO required to obtain the Branch Chairman’s approval before issuing such publications.
The leadership consequently directed anyone who circulated the purported endorsement to withdraw it immediately and declared all existing publications or communications purporting to endorse a political candidate on behalf of the branch “null, void and of no effect.”
Reaffirming the club’s non-partisan character, the leadership said members remain free to pursue their political ambitions in their individual capacities, but the corporate identity of the club must remain insulated from partisan political activities.
The statement concluded with a call for unity, peace and adherence to the club’s constitution and established procedures.
“Our political affiliations may differ; our cultural heritage unites us,” the leadership stated, while reiterating that the club remains non-partisan and committed to preserving its unity and institutional integrity.
Read full statement below;
Write as news with headline
UMUAHIA PREMIER CLUB
(Umuahia Branch)
Secretariat: Daman Plaza Ph/Enugu Express Road Opp. Abia Tower Umuahia, Abia State
Date: 21st September, 2026
To Whom it may concern
REJOINDER ON THE PURPORTED ENDORSEMENT OF A POLITICAL CANDIDATE BY THE CLUB
The attention of the leadership of Umuahia Premier Club, Umuahia Branch has been drawn
to a purported endorsement of a candidate contesting for elective political office (Federal
House of Representatives of Nigeria) on the platform of a particular political party, said to
have been made at a meeting of the Umuahia Branch of Umuahia Premier Club held on
ia Branch)
Sunday 20th September, 2026.
The leadership considers it necessary to address this development promptly and
unequivocally, in order to dispel any misconception, protect the integrity of the Club, and
reassure all members, as well as the wider communities which the Club represents, that the
fundamental character and traditions of the Club remain inviolate.
The Club is, by its founding philosophy, a socio-cultural, non-partisan and unifying
organisation established to foster fraternity, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, cultural
solidarity and the collective advancement of its members and the various clans and
communities within its sphere of influence. It is therefore not the character, tradition or
mandate of the Club to adopt or endorse partisan political candidates.
Against this background, the purported endorsement of a particular political candidate is
viewed with grave concern for the following reasons:
1. Departure from the Established Tradition of the Club
The purported endorsement constitutes a significant departure from the established
traditions, ethos and non-partisan character of the Club. Such a departure, if allowed to
stand, has the potential to generate avoidable disaffection, suspicion and division among members who, as citizens, are entitled to hold divergent political affiliations and
preferences.
The Club must remain a common platform where members can coexist irrespective of their
political persuasions. Its identity and collective interests should not be subordinated to
partisan political considerations.
2. Membership of the Candidate Does Not Alter the Character of the Club
It is acknowledged that the candidate purportedly endorsed is a member of the Club and is
entitled, like every other citizen, to participate in the political process and pursue his
legitimate political aspirations.
However, 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.
This distinction is particularly important because there are other personalities contesting
the same political office who are also indigenes of the Local Government Areas and
communities which the Club seeks to unite, notwithstanding that they may not presently be
members of the Club.
To endorse one candidate over others in such circumstances would inevitably create an
impression of exclusion and partisan preference, thereby undermining the very principle of
inclusiveness upon which the Club was founded.
3. The Circumstances Surrounding the Meeting
It is pertinent to clarify that the gathering held today was convened as the monthly general
meeting of the Club, and not as a political meeting or a forum authorised to deliberate upon
and endorse a political candidate.
More significantly, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary
and the Legal Adviser more so, the four (4) National officers from our Branch were
reportedly absent from the meeting. The circumstances under which the purported
endorsement was consequently made therefore require careful scrutiny.
It is particularly disturbing that the meeting took place at the residence of the candidate
concerned, thereby creating circumstances in which his political associates and party supporters were able to take advantage of the gathering to introduce and advance a
partisan agenda that was neither part of the scheduled business of the Club nor sanctioned
by its leadership.
Furthermore, a considerable number of those present were either relatively new members
or persons who had not yet become sufficiently conversant with the established procedures,
conventions and modus operandi of the Club. This circumstance underscores the need for
members to exercise restraint and ensure that the Club’s established rules are not
circumvented through informal or irregular proceedings.
4. The Purported Endorsement Does Not Represent the Position of the Club
In view of the foregoing, the purported endorsement, to the extent that it purports to
represent the collective position of the Club or its Branch, is hereby expressly repudiated,
condemned and declared unacceptable.
No individual, group of members or gathering acting outside the constitutional and
established framework of the Club possesses the authority to unilaterally commit the Club
to a political position or endorse a political candidate on behalf of the entire membership.
Accordingly, the purported endorsement does not represent the position of the Club and
shall not be accorded any recognition or legitimacy whatsoever.
5. Circulation of the Purported Endorsement
The circumstances surrounding the preparation and circulation of the purported
endorsement to members of the public are presently being investigated.
Where any member or person is found to have deliberately misrepresented the position of
the Club, acted without authority, or brought the name and reputation of the Club into
disrepute, appropriate disciplinary measures shall be taken in accordance with the
Constitution, established rules and principles of natural justice.
6. Appeal for Restraint and Composure
All members, particularly those who may understandably feel aggrieved by the development,
are hereby enjoined to remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from any action,
utterance or publication capable of exacerbating the situation.
Members are reminded that disagreements, however serious, should be addressed through
the established organs and mechanisms of the Club rather than through confrontational
actions, inflammatory publications or counter-mobilisation.
The present circumstance should not be permitted to degenerate into factionalism or
create divisions capable of undermining the peace, fraternity and cohesion that the Club has
painstakingly nurtured over the years.
7. Authority to Make Official Publications
For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby reiterated that only the Chairman, Secretary and
Public Relations Officer of the Club are authorised to issue or circulate official publications
on behalf of the Club or the Branch.
Furthermore, the Secretary and Public Relations Officer shall, before issuing any official
publication, obtain the requisite approval of the Branch Chairman.
No member, group, committee or other individual is therefore authorised to issue a
statement, press release, endorsement, communiqué or any other publication purporting to
represent the official position of the Club without the requisite authority.
Therefore, anyone who circulated or posted the purported endorsement should as a matter
of urgency pull it down immediately.
8. Status of Existing Publications
Consequently, all publications, statements, endorsements or communications already
circulated in connection with the purported endorsement of any political candidate by this
Branch are hereby declared null, void and of no effect, having neither the authority nor the
imprimatur of the recognised leadership of the Club.
Members and the general public are accordingly advised to disregard such publications and
refrain from attributing their contents to the Club.
9. Preservation of the Club’s Unity
The leadership wishes to emphatically reaffirm that the unity, integrity and continued
cohesion of the Club and the various clans and communities which it seeks to unite remain
paramount.
No individual’s political aspiration, however legitimate or personally compelling, should be
allowed to supersede the collective interests, traditions and enduring objectives of the Club.
Members may freely pursue their individual political aspirations in their personal capacities,
but the corporate identity of the Club must remain insulated from partisan political
contestation.
10. Future Meetings and Proceedings
Going forward, all Branch meetings shall be conducted strictly in accordance with the
Constitution, established procedures and traditions of the Club. Matters outside the
published agenda or mandate of a meeting shall not be introduced or concluded in a manner
that purports to bind the Club without the requisite authority.
Members are equally encouraged to seek clarification from the recognised leadership
whenever there is uncertainty regarding the propriety or authority of any proposed action.
CONCLUSION
The leadership views the present development as an unfortunate aberration rather than a
reflection of the character, values and longstanding traditions of the Club.
The Club belongs to all its members, irrespective of political affiliation, persuasion or
preference. Its strength lies precisely in its ability to bring people together despite their
differences and to provide a credible platform for the advancement of our common cultural,
social and communal interests.
We therefore urge all members to rise above the immediate controversy, resist every
attempt at provocation, and recommit themselves to the ideals of brotherhood, mutual
respect, tolerance, peace and unity.
Our political affiliations may differ; our cultural heritage unites us.
Our individual political ambitions may vary; the collective interest of our Club and our clans
must remain sacrosanct.
The leadership remains committed to preserving the dignity, neutrality, unity and
institutional integrity of the Club and calls on every member to join in safeguarding these
cherished values.
For the avoidance of doubt, the purported endorsement of any political candidate by this
Branch is not authorised, does not represent the position of the Club, and is hereby
unequivocally repudiated.
The Club remains non-partisan. The Club remains united. The Club remains for all.
Signed:
Premier Ako Obioma Premier Chuka Agomoh
Branch Chairman
