{FROM OUR RURAL REPORTERS DESK, Awka}
EMBATTLED CHIEF JOSEPH UZOEGWU
Months after Mr. Ebuka Uzoegwu was elected as the new leader of the Uzoegwu family, Chief Joseph Uzoegwu, who allegedly led the family for over 11 years, is now vying for the same position again, despite leaving it without notable accomplishments. He has reportedly refused to transfer leadership to the newly elected administration.
An investigation by 247wisemen.com disclosed that the election establishing the current leadership was held at the home of the family’s oldest member, Sir. Nnamdi Uzoegwu (Etolue), in Nkpor Community, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, with family members present, showcasing their unity.
However, the previously peaceful election turned contentious when the former executive, led by Chief Joseph Uzoegwu, was asked to relinquish leadership and family assets. Facing scrutiny from the new administration, the former chairman allegedly sought to hinder the functioning of the new leadership.
In addressing the matter, newly elected Chairman Mr. Ebuka Uzoegwu stated that he holds no animosity towards his predecessor but is seen as a threat due to worries over potential investigations into the alleged mismanagement and sale of family properties without the entire family’s approval.
“Joseph Uzoegwu was elected President General, Nkpor Development Union, NDU in those days and the tyrant leadership he exhibited, which he is trying to repeat in our family now then reportedly led to a catalyst for a civil crisis, which resulted into lost of lives and property Nkpor in the year 2000 and it gave birth into my father’s demise. Within his leadership in our family for over eleven years now leading for relentless quest for property, he even exhumed my father’s remains and relocated the skeleton to an undisclosed site.
Fearing that my administration would uncover his misdeeds during his tenure, Joseph Uzoegwu has falsely judged me and my executive team, actively sabotaging my leadership despite pleas from family elders for him to reconsider,” claimed Mr. Ebuka Uzoegwu.
After winning the election on January 30, 2026, the young Chairman made it clear that he was nominated by the family’s eldest member, Mr. Nnamdi Uzoegwu (Etoule), due to his merit. He also noted that his secretary, Mr. Kosisochukwu Dennis Uzoegwu, had been nominated by Chief Joseph Uzoegwu, questioning why Joseph is now seeking to reclaim the position he left respectfully.
Mr. Ebuka Uzoegwu concluded by urging his family, friends, associates of the Uzoegwu family, and the public to disregard claims made by the former Chairman, Chief Joseph Uzoegwu, in print and social media, where he continues to assert that he is the family chairman. He warned that any dealings conducted under the family name with Joseph Uzoegwu are solely between the parties involved and do not represent transactions made on behalf of the family.
In response to the serious allegations, Chief Joseph Uzoegwu stated that he is contesting Ebuka’s claim, emphasizing that he has a three-year term that was interrupted by Mr. Ebuka Uzoegwu. “I can’t let him replace me when I still have two years left in my term to complete and hand over. I am surprised to hear him claim leadership over our family, especially as the election he says he won was for the youth championship, which is responsible for managing our lands (Owaofia) and not for leading the family.”
He refrained from commenting on other issues raised by Ebuka, explaining that the allegations regarding the exhumation of his father’s body and the conversion of property are already in a court of law, and therefore, it is inappropriate to discuss them.
