As families across many parts of the world reunite to celebrate Christmas, the atmosphere in Enugwu-Agidi, Anambra State, tells a different story. The festive season has coincided with a defining moment in the community’s history, prompting a mass return of indigenous sons and daughters, not for celebration alone, but for a decisive general election that will shape the future of the town.
Unlike previous years, when large-scale homecoming was largely seasonal, this year’s return has been driven by a strong resolve to participate in the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU) general election scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2025. For many residents, the vote represents an opportunity to end poor leadership and embrace accountable governance.
At the center of public discourse, across homes, markets, churches, and social media, is Mr. Pius Nwankwo, popularly known as Paye and bearing the traditional title Ozo Okpete. His candidacy has attracted widespread support from community elites, professionals, and key stakeholders.
Notably, indigenous sons and daughters holding strategic positions in finance, banking, and major corporate institutions within Nigeria and the diaspora have openly rallied behind Nwankwo. Their backing, both moral and financial, is driven by a shared commitment to the genuine development of Enugwu-Agidi and the restoration of its former prominence.
Supporters insist that this collective effort is not motivated by personal gain but by a desire to move the community beyond stagnation toward sustainable progress. As the election approaches, the choice before the people is clear: advance or remain where they are.
The significance of the election has triggered an unprecedented influx of voters returning home from across the country and abroad. Despite attempts to discourage participation, including a widely circulated but allegedly fabricated voice note claiming the presence of armed herdsmen and kidnappers in the area, residents remained undeterred and continued their journey home to exercise their civic rights.
Calls for transparency and fairness have intensified as election day draws near. Emphasizing democratic values, Pius Nwankwo, a Deputy Director at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has previously stated that “a free and fair election is one in which coercion is comparatively absent.” This principle has resonated strongly within the community.
Many residents argue that ignorance and voter apathy have long sustained ineffective leadership. In contrast, informed voting is increasingly seen as the most powerful tool for accountability. Nwankwo is widely regarded as the leading contender against Ebuka Onuora in the race for President General of the EBU.
Voters have been cautioned against selling their votes and encouraged to report any instances of vote-buying or malpractice. Community leaders maintain that leadership change must occur through the ballot box, not through intimidation, manipulation, or violence.
The election will be held at the Town Union Secretariat, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Stakeholders have urged the EBU Electoral Committee to ensure a transparent and credible process, while also calling on the Anambra State Government to provide adequate support to guarantee peace and order.
For many indigenous people of Enugwu-Agidi, this election is more than a leadership contest, it is an opportunity to reclaim the community’s future.
As one resident put it succinctly: “Make no mistake, Paye, Ozo Okpete, is the focal point.”
As the community stands at this critical juncture, a shared sentiment echoes across Enugwu-Agidi:
The labour to save Enugwu-Agidi shall not be in vain.
Enugwu-Agidi must rise.
Enugwu-Agidi must be great again.
Daniel Nduka Okonkwo is a seasoned writer, human rights advocate, and public affairs analyst known for his incisive commentary on governance, justice, and social equity. Through Profiles International Human Rights Advocate, he champions accountability, transparency, and reform in Nigeria and beyond. With over 1,000 published articles indexed on Google, his work has appeared on Sahara Reporters and other leading media platforms. He is also an accomplished transcriptionist, petition writer, ghostwriter, and freelance journalist, recognized for his precision, persuasive communication, and unwavering commitment to human rights.
📧 Contact: Dan.okonkwo.73@gmail.com
