…Leadership Repudiates Purported Endorsement, Reaffirms Non-Partisan Character
The leadership of the Umuahia Premier Club, Umuahia Branch, has repudiated a purported endorsement of a political candidate contesting for the Federal House of Representatives, describing it as unauthorised and contrary to the Club’s non-partisan traditions.
CDA News Nigeria reports that in a rejoinder signed by the Chairman, Premier Ako Obioma, and Secretary, Premier Chuka Agomoh, the Club said its attention had been drawn to the purported endorsement said to have been made at a meeting held on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the Club stated it is, by 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 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.
The leadership said the purported endorsement constitutes a significant departure from the Club’s established traditions and has the potential to generate avoidable disaffection and division among members who are entitled to hold divergent political affiliations. It noted that while the candidate purportedly endorsed is a member of the Club and is entitled to pursue his legitimate political aspirations, membership of the Club cannot constitute a basis for transforming it into a political platform. “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,” the statement read.
The Club clarified that the gathering was convened as its monthly general meeting, not as a political meeting, and noted that the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Legal Adviser, and the four National officers from the Branch were reportedly absent. It also noted 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.”
The leadership declared the purported endorsement null, void, and of no effect, urging anyone who circulated it to pull it down immediately. It stated that the circumstances surrounding its preparation and circulation were being investigated, and that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against anyone found to have misrepresented the Club’s position. It reiterated that only the Chairman, Secretary, and Public Relations Officer are authorised to issue official publications on behalf of the Club.
“The Club remains non-partisan. The Club remains united. The Club remains for all,” the statement concluded.
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