The Isoko Development Union (IDU) Youth Wing Worldwide has announced the purported suspension of its President, Joel Omeni, and Financial Secretary, Obiegbedi Efeakpokhrire, over allegations including misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, assault and attempted abduction of an executive member. However, Omeni has rejected the purported suspension, describing the action as illegal and insisting that he remains the President of the IDU Youth Wing.
Key Highlights
- Joel Omeni rejects the purported suspension and says he remains IDU Youth Wing President.
- Omeni argues that the suspension did not follow the constitutional procedure of the organisation.
- He says the IDU parent body, women’s wing and youth wing must be properly convened before a president can be suspended.
- Omeni maintains that a two-thirds majority is required to validly suspend a president.
- The youth wing had accused Omeni and its Financial Secretary of financial misconduct and other alleged offences.
- The purported suspension followed allegations surrounding an incident involving an executive member, Marilyn Ekemejighe.
- Omeni has urged members and the public to disregard reports announcing his suspension.
IDU Youth Wing Announces Purported Suspension
In a statement signed by John Lukumen Odhe, Public Relations Officer of the Isoko Development Union Youth Wing Worldwide, on behalf of the Executive Council, the union announced the purported immediate suspension of Omeni and Efeakpokhrire.
The statement said the decision was taken pending investigations into allegations of financial misconduct, misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, assault and attempted abduction of an executive member.
The purportedly suspended officers were directed to stop acting in their official capacities and hand over association property, documents, financial records, funds and other assets to the First Vice President, Othuke Idu.
The statement further said Othuke Idu would assume the position of Acting President pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The union also directed the purportedly suspended officers not to make official communications or engage stakeholders on behalf of the association.
Joel Omeni Rejects Suspension
Reacting to the development, however, Omeni dismissed the purported suspension, insisting that those behind the action were acting outside the constitution of the organisation.
Omeni maintained that he remains the duly recognised President of the Isoko Development Union Youth Wing Worldwide and urged members of the public to disregard reports announcing his suspension.
According to Omeni, the constitution provides a specific procedure for the removal or suspension of a president, which cannot be bypassed by a section of the executive council.
He argued that the process requires the proper involvement of the parent Isoko Development Union, the women’s wing and the youth wing before such a major decision can be validly taken.
Omeni further maintained that a two-thirds majority is required before a sitting president can be suspended, arguing that the purported action did not meet the constitutional requirement.
He therefore described the announcement of his suspension as an illegality and urged members, stakeholders and the general public to disregard it.
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Allegations Over DESOPADEC Funds
The purported suspension followed allegations concerning the management of funds belonging to the youth wing.
A member of the executive council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that N6 million received by the youth wing from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) in June and July 2026 could not be properly accounted for.
The source also alleged that Omeni was involved in an incident involving Marilyn Ekemejighe, the Assistant Organising Secretary, who was allegedly assaulted and subjected to an attempted abduction at the IDU Secretariat in Oleh.
The source claimed that the incident was subsequently reported at the Oleh Police Station in Isoko South Local Government Area.
The allegations have not been independently established, and Omeni’s rejection of the purported suspension represents his response to the claims and the action taken against him.
Constitutional Dispute Deepens IDU Crisis
The conflicting positions have now raised questions over the validity of the purported suspension and the constitutional process governing the leadership of the IDU Youth Wing.
While the executive council says the officers have been suspended pending investigation, Omeni insists that the council lacked the constitutional authority to take the action in the manner announced.
The dispute is therefore likely to centre on the interpretation and application of the IDU Youth Wing constitution, particularly the provisions governing the suspension or removal of a sitting president.
The development comes amid calls for members and stakeholders to remain calm while the competing claims over the leadership of the youth wing are addressed.
