Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ndokwa Neku Union, the apex socio-cultural body of the Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State, has suspended its President General, Comrade Chief Amaechi Asugwuni, over allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and other violations, in a resolution passed by the National Executive Council and obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The suspension, which takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice, was contained in a letter titled "Ndokwa Neku Union National Executive Council Resolution for the Suspension of the President General of Ndokwa Neku Union, Comrade Chief Amaechi Asugwuni for Gross Financial Impropriety, Abuse of Office and Other Sundry Indictments."
According to the letter addressed to the NNU chairman and disciplinary committee, the suspension followed what the union described as a "plethora of gross misconducts, flagrant violations of the NNU standard cultural principles, abuse of office, financial malfeasance, unethical conducts, conduct to prejudice social harmony, and other dangerous operational red flags." The council said the decision was taken pursuant to Article 12(6) of the NNU Constitution 2026, as amended, and the standing principles of socio-cultural governance. Eleven of the fifteen members of the National Executive Council formed a quorum before passing the resolution. The resolution was signed by eleven national officers, including Secretary-General Jimoh Egwali, Assistant Secretary Basil Chinedu Agbanashi, National Woman Leader Cynthia Ogbo-Governor, Legal Adviser Ambrose Egwunatum, Treasurer Mabel Adinku, Financial Secretary Chukwuka Osakwe, Youth Leader James Uduogwu Ojeke, Organising Secretary Chidikwa Ifeanyi, Publicity Secretary Odanike Azuka Justice, Auditor Asobi Prince, and Assistant Publicity Secretary Nathaniel Eze Ossai. The letter was copied to several prominent members of the Ndokwa community, including Delta State Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, Commissioner for Finance Fidelis Tilije, former NNU President General Johnson Opone, former NNU President General GOC Amushi, General Mike Ndohisi (retd.), and Chairman of the NNU Fundraising Committee Dele Omeseegor.
The council said the suspension was necessary to protect the integrity of the union and allow its disciplinary committee or an ad hoc body to conduct what it described as a thorough investigation into the allegations. It also warned individuals and groups against conducting official business with Asugwuni on behalf of the NNU while the suspension remains in force. "During the pendency of his suspension, any person or group dealing with Comrade Chief Amaechi Asugwuni on behalf of NNU would not only be doing so at a risk, but in total disregard to the current position of the Ndokwa majority," the council said.
The suspension came shortly after the NNU endorsed former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the Delta North senatorial district in the 2027 general elections. The union had on September 19 endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for second terms, as well as Okowa for the Delta North senatorial seat. However, sources within the union told SaharaReporters that the endorsement had caused discontent among some members of the Ndokwa community. The endorsement was one of the issues that triggered the suspension of Asugwuni, who was accused by some NNU members of using his office to facilitate the endorsement without adequate consultation with the National Executive Council.
A former executive member of the NNU, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that Asugwuni "connived with Okowa" to secure the endorsement. The source claimed that members of the community were unhappy with Okowa's record as governor and alleged that Ndokwa did not benefit sufficiently from his eight years in office. "The suspended NNU president general and Okowa cannot use the Ndokwa nation to trade. As a governor, Okowa deliberately marginalised Ndokwa nation. He only focused on his people," the source alleged. The former executive member also alleged that the NNU had initially been informed that Okowa was visiting for an interaction with the community, but that the meeting eventually became an endorsement event. He said the endorsement should have been subjected to collective consideration by the NNU's National Executive Council rather than being handled unilaterally.
Another former NNU Secretary-General, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the executive council reached its suspension resolution on September 20, citing the Okowa endorsement alongside other allegations, including abuse of office and high-handedness. The former official alleged that the affairs of the NNU had increasingly been handled in a manner that did not allow elected executive members to effectively perform their responsibilities. He also alleged that members of the National Executive Council had not been given sufficient opportunity to participate in policy formulation, decision-making and programmes concerning the development and welfare of Ndokwa Nation. The source further accused Asugwuni of the unilateral handling of "Tantita surveillance opportunity/slots intended for Ndokwa Neku Union through the office of Tantita." According to the source, the suspension was intended to promote "accountability, transparency, constitutional governance, collective leadership and the protection of the integrity and resources of Ndokwa Neku Union."
The NNU's resolution, however, did not specifically identify the individual financial transactions or other acts allegedly constituting financial impropriety and abuse of office, but called for an investigation into the allegations. As of the time of filing this report, efforts by SaharaReporters to obtain Asugwuni's reaction were unsuccessful. Calls and messages sent to his mobile line were not responded to.
The crisis within the NNU reflects the broader political tensions in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections, where the endorsement of candidates and the management of socio-cultural institutions have become increasingly contentious. The suspension of a sitting President General over allegations linked to a political endorsement raises questions about the independence of the union and its ability to represent the collective interests of the Ndokwa people. For now, the union's disciplinary committee is expected to investigate the allegations, and the outcome will determine whether Asugwuni is reinstated or permanently removed from office.
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