Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Isoko Development Union (IDU) Youth Wing Worldwide has suspended its President, Joel Emeni, and Financial Secretary, Obiegbedi Efeakpokhrire, over serious allegations including misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, assault, and the attempted abduction of an executive member. The decision, announced following an emergency meeting of the executive council, has thrown the youth wing into a crisis, with the case now reported to the police for further investigation.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, John Lukumen Odhe, the union confirmed the immediate suspension of the two officers, effective from Thursday, September 3, 2026. The action was taken pending a formal investigation into the allegations. "This decision was taken pending a formal investigation into allegations of financial misconduct, misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, assault, and attempted abduction of an executive member," the statement read.
The suspended officials have been barred from performing any duties or representing the association in any capacity. They have been directed to hand over all association property, documents, financial records, and funds to the 1st Vice President, Othuke Idu, who has been appointed as Acting President pending the conclusion of the investigation.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, a member of the executive council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the crisis was precipitated by the mishandling of a N6 million monthly largesse paid to the union by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). "Apart from the N6,000,000 DESOPADEC largesse that is usually paid to us monthly, that the suspended president and financial secretary could not account for, the suspended president also used hired thugs to assault Marilyn Ekemejighe, the Assistant Organising Secretary, with an attempt to abduct her at the IDU Secretariat, Oleh," the source alleged. The source further claimed that the president falsely stated that the Divisional Police Officer had requested her presence at the station, a claim which was later confirmed to be untrue. The source also accused the suspended president of a lack of purposeful leadership and effective coordination of the youth wing's affairs.
The case has been reported to the Oleh police station in Isoko South Local Government Area for further investigation. As at the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the embattled suspended president for comments were unsuccessful as his mobile number was switched off.
The suspension comes amid a growing pattern of crises within the Isoko Development Union. In June 2025, the chairmen of Isoko South and Isoko North Local Government Areas had announced the immediate suspension of all activities of the IDU Youth Wing following a similar crisis that saw the emergence of two factional executives. The youth presidents of both factions and their executives were suspended from acting on behalf of the union.
The union has urged all members and stakeholders to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, and to allow the constitutional and investigative processes to run their full course without interference. "We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and protecting the integrity of the Isoko Development Union Youth Wing Worldwide," the statement concluded.
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