John Nwaigwe
“WE DID NOT ENDORSE ANY POLITICAL CANDIDATE” – LEADERSHIP OF UMUAHIA PREMIER CLUB
“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 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
Chairman
Premier Chuka Agomoh
Secretary
21/09/2026.
