Okereke emerged victorious at the community’s national election held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, after polling 55 votes in an election in which he was the sole candidate.
Speaking with journalists after his emergence, the former FIRS official said he returned home to deploy the experience and connections he had acquired during his years in public service towards the development of his community.
He identified transparency and accountability, networking, youth counselling and job creation as the major priorities of his administration.
According to him, the time has come for a new approach to community leadership, particularly in addressing youth unemployment and providing opportunities for young people to become gainfully employed or self-reliant.
He lamented the absence of effective guidance and counselling structures in the community, promising to engage extensively with women, the elders’ council and youths to identify their needs and develop practical solutions.
Okereke also disclosed plans to establish a comprehensive database of Ndi Oji Abam indigenes to identify their skills, interests and needs and connect them with employment and business opportunities within and outside the community.
He explained that the initiative would cover skilled workers, including carpenters and other artisans, who could benefit from networking and opportunities beyond their immediate environment.
Addressing those who might have wished to contest the position, Okereke said his emergence should not be interpreted as a personal victory but as an opportunity for collective service.
“I did not win because I am the best. We are all a team,” he said, comparing community development to a football team in which one player might score a goal, but every member contributes to the victory.
He pledged to reach out to other stakeholders and work with them, stressing that the success of the administration would belong to Ndi Oji Abam rather than himself or members of the executive.
The new President-General further cited his previous contributions to the community as evidence of his commitment to service.
He disclosed that through his professional connections and personal interventions, he had facilitated training for six indigenes through the Industrial Training Fund programme, employed at least seven people, sponsored about 18 others to acquire various vocational skills and supported several students in school.
He promised that such interventions would continue under his leadership, adding that his experience outside the community would now be channelled towards its development.
Okereke, a chartered accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Taxation, retired from the Federal Inland Revenue Service in July 2026 after a distinguished career in public service.
He served as Tax Controller of FIRS in Umuahia for five years before his elevation to Tax Controller, Large Tax Office, with responsibility for large taxpayers across the South-East.
Meanwhile, women, elders, youths and other stakeholders in the community have expressed optimism about his emergence, urging him to prioritise accountability and the welfare of residents.
Some women, including Nwakaku Aja Udema and Veronica Ndem Okorie, expressed delight at his emergence, alleging that despite substantial revenue accruing to the community, accountability in its management had remained a major concern.
They expressed confidence in his ability to deliver, citing his longstanding philanthropic activities and contributions to individuals in the community.
Speaking on behalf of the community security outfit, Nelson Kalu Ubani lamented the poor welfare and inadequate provisions available to security personnel, saying the situation had made it difficult for them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
He expressed hope that Okereke’s administration would address the challenges and correct some of the problems attributed to previous administrations.
Similarly, a representative of the elders, Mr. Israel Ikoro, pledged the elders’ support for the incoming administration, while Chibuzo Okereke, speaking for the youths, assured him of their willingness to collaborate with the new leadership.
Other officials elected alongside Okereke include Chijioke Ndem, Secretary; Emmanuel Arunsi, Financial Secretary; Ogba Iro, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chinedu Martins, Treasurer; and Emeka Iche, Head of Security.
Others are Chika Agwu, PRO I; Ota Ogbonnaya, PRO II; Dike Isaiah, Organising Secretary; Kentus Agbam, Provost I; Orji Emmanuel, Provost II; Agwu Kalu Ifere, Provost III; Okorie Ijioma, Welfare I; and Okorukwu Orji Uka, Welfare II.
The election was held against the backdrop of pre-election tension and a legal dispute over the conduct of the exercise.
Before the election, members and branch executives of the Ndi Oji Abam Development Union approached the High Court of Abia State, Arochukwu Judicial Division, in Suit No. HAR/25/2026, seeking an interim injunction restraining Hon. Ikeagu Ukpabi Okpi, Mr. Isaac Okoh, Chief Herbert Okpi and Chief Iyowu Ike, alongside their agents, from stopping or obstructing the national election scheduled for November 13 to 15, 2026.
Despite the legal challenge and tension preceding the exercise, the election eventually took place, culminating in Okereke’s emergence as President-Elect of Ndi Oji Abam.
