By Lawrence Nwimo
The Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, has emerged the President General of Amanuke Development Union (ADU).
Amanuke is an agrarian community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, comprising 10-11 villages. The town sits in the centre of Awka North which houses nine other communities.
The election was conducted following the expiration of the tenure of the former substantive President-General, Samuel Okoye, whose term officially ended in August 2025.
After the keenly contested election at the Union Primary School Field, Amanuke, Saturday, January 31, 2026, Comrade Odogwu scored 576 votes to beat his rival, Hon Simon Orakwe, who scored 532 votes.
Electoral officers from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and office of the Local Government Chairman could not immediately announce the results before near crisis erupted.
The election conducted using the Option A4 voting model, witnessed large turnout of indigenes and was monitored by the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC), as well as security operatives drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others.
While some executive positions were zoned and filled unopposed ahead of the election, the contest for the office of President-General was fiercely contested between Comrade Odogwu Emeka and Hon. Simon Orakwe. Both candidates hailed from Umudiogo village, which, according to the community’s zoning arrangement, is next in line to produce the President-General.
Although the election was reported to have progressed peacefully during accreditation and voting, the situation reportedly became tense after the counting of votes and shortly before the official announcement of the results.
The tension escalated to the point that security operatives had to fire gunshots and teargas to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from turning into violence.
However, result that later emerged confirmed Odogwu's victory with a record of 576 votes from three lines of supporters, beating Hon. Simon Orakwe's 532 votes from two lines.
The news sparked jubilation as NUJ Chairman's supporters lifted him shoulder-high, parading him around the community amidst chants and victory songs.
In his victory speech, Dr. Odogwu thanked the people of Amanuke for their trust, vowing to use his mandate to drive unity, peace, and development in the community.
"I thank Amanuke people for the solidarity and victory, calling on my opponent to support us as there is no victor, no vanquish," he added.