Allegations of abuse of power have rocked Ahoada West Local Government as former media aide Ogadinma Winnie Uchechi accuses council chairman Eugene Ekpelle of orchestrating a violent attack against her and her mother. The alleged assault, Uchechi claims, was in retaliation for a viral social media video she posted exposing the dilapidated state of the community secondary school in Odioku.
Uchechi told our correspondent that after her video gained widespread attention, Ekpelle personally visited her home on Sunday. According to her account, the chairman accused her of attempting to tarnish his reputation and directed his brother to physically attack her. She alleges both she and her mother sustained injuries before neighbours intervened to prevent further violence.
“This was not about resolving any community issue,” Uchechi said. “I never approached the chairman directly about the school because he had previously told others that it was under the state government’s responsibility. His visit was clearly retaliatory, not conciliatory.”
In a statement, the Ahoada West Local Government denied the allegations, describing them as false and misleading. Chairman Ekpelle, through his Chief Press Secretary Dennis Ezeuwa Lot, insisted that his visit was peaceful and that he did not order, lead, or participate in any assault, intimidation, or harassment.
Human rights advocates and community observers have condemned the alleged attack, calling it a disturbing example of power being wielded to intimidate citizens. Legal experts note that if proven, directing an attack on a private citizen constitutes both criminal assault and abuse of official office, raising serious questions about accountability in the council.
As the controversy intensifies, residents are urging an independent investigation into the matter to ensure that allegations of politically motivated violence are properly examined and justice is served.
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