Elders and stakeholders of Ugwunta Community in Ovim, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, have dismissed reports alleging that the community is engulfed in crisis and disunity.

The stakeholders, under the aegis of the Ugwunta Development Union (UDU), described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that Ugwunta remains peaceful, united and firmly under the leadership of its duly constituted traditional and community institutions.

The denial followed disagreements among some members of the community over key decisions taken on the development and administration of Ugwunta.

The dissenting stakeholders subsequently formed a group and issued a publication alleging that the community was in crisis.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the Chairman of the Ugwunta Development Union, with the backing of Oha Ano Ugwunta, Mazi Uzodinma Onwuchekwa, said there was no crisis in the community.

The statement said the claims did not reflect the situation in the community, stressing that its General Assembly held on August 22, 2026, was evidence of the prevailing peace and unity among the people.

“The people of Ugwunta wish to state unequivocally that the narrative contained in the publication is false, misleading, and does not represent the true state of affairs in Ugwunta.

“Following the report, the people of Ugwunta, through their duly constituted leadership, gathered in their hometown on 22 August 2026 for their General Assembly. The meeting was conducted peacefully and successfully, with broad participation and constructive deliberations on matters concerning the development, unity, and welfare of the community,” the statement said.

Onwuchekwa urged members of the public, government institutions, political actors, development partners and other stakeholders to disregard what it described as an “unfortunate narrative” portraying Ugwunta as a community in disarray.

The union agreed that differences of opinion were inevitable in any community, but maintained that such disagreements would be resolved through established traditional, constitutional and community leadership structures.

It therefore called for restraint among stakeholders, while reaffirming its commitment to preserving the peace, unity and development of Ugwunta.