Obingwa Mayor Accused of Land Grab, Declares Even Governor Otti Cannot Stop Him

The Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, has allegedly declared that not even the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, can prevent him from seizing a plot of land legally owned by businessman Mr. Edwin Ezema at 195 Ikot Ekpene Road, Ehere, Obingwa LGA.

Nwadike, who was appointed by Governor Otti in November 2024, is accused of plotting to appropriate one of two plots acquired by Mr. Ezema, despite documents showing the land’s registration dates back to 1996. Records also confirm Ezema lawfully purchased the property in 2023, where a commercial plaza once stood before it was demolished for reconstruction following advice from the town planning office.

According to reports, Ezema notified the Mayor about his redevelopment plans and initially secured his approval. However, after demolition, Nwadike allegedly reversed his position, claiming one of the plots belonged to the council and initiating steps to resell it. Frequent visits by surveyors to the site have heightened suspicions of an imminent resale.

While Ezema has appealed to Governor Otti for intervention, Nwadike has attempted to politicize the matter, insisting the land was fraudulently sold to Ezema by PDP members. This claim has been debunked, with court records—including a 2007 Abia State High Court judgment—confirming the land’s original ownership and the absence of any government interference. Observers believe the Mayor’s actions may be driven by soaring property values in the area, amid allegations of a secret plan to resell the contested plot despite Ezema’s submission of all legal documents for verification.