Owerri, Imo State: A simmering dispute over oil revenue has thrown the Achi Mbieri community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State into turmoil, with stakeholders demanding transparency and accusing their leadership of mismanaging funds allegedly paid by Seplat Energy.
At a press briefing in Owerri on Sunday, the Achi Stakeholders Forum alleged that the community’s President-General (PG), Mr. Victor Iwuagwu, disbursed oil revenue to villages without the executive council’s knowledge or supervision.
The group claims the distribution was inequitable and shrouded in secrecy, raising questions about accountability in the management of funds accruing under the Petroleum Industry Act.
Community Financial Secretary, Mr. Richard Durunna, distanced himself from the transactions, insisting he was unaware of any payments until villagers confirmed receiving money directly from the PG.
Durunna accused Iwuagwu of running the community “unilaterally” and revealed that when pressed on the sharing formula, the PG bizarrely claimed he acted on “instructions from his late mother in a dream.”
The revelation has deepened mistrust among residents, who issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iwuagwu to convene an emergency meeting and explain his financial dealings.
“This is disturbing and unacceptable. We need proper records to be set straight,” Durunna said.
Other voices within the community echoed the demand for accountability. Mr. Charles Opara described the oil discovery as a “supposed blessing rather than a reason for chaos,” warning against the personalization of communal gains.
Traditional Prime Minister, Nzeh Adolphus Nnadi, urged the Imo State Government to intervene, calling for a forensic investigation by a panel of inquiry to unravel the financial trail.
While youth leader Mr. Chigazu Ohamadike appealed for calm and peaceful resolution, tensions remain high. Efforts to reach Iwuagwu for his response were unsuccessful, as he declined repeated calls to his cellphone.
The controversy underscores broader concerns about how oil revenues are managed at the grassroots level.
With the Petroleum Industry Act mandating host communities’ benefits, the Achi Mbieri case highlights the risks of weak oversight, opaque disbursement, and potential abuse of funds meant to uplift local populations.
For now, the community awaits whether the PG will heed the ultimatum or whether state authorities will step in to enforce accountability.
