PRESS RELEASE: APPARENT IRREGULARITIES, INTIMIDATION, AND GROSS SUBVERSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS: CALL FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (HOME BRANCH) ELECTION 2026

7.00pm Sunday 65th August, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APPARENT IRREGULARITIES, INTIMIDATION, AND GROSS SUBVERSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS: CALL FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE AMBROSE ALLI UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (HOME BRANCH) ELECTION 2026

EKPOMA, NIGERIA — We, concerned members and stakeholders of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Alumni Association Home Branch, draw the attention of the National Executive Council of the AAU Alumni Worldwide, media, the university community, security agencies, partners, and the general public to the severe irregularities, widespread disenfranchisement, and gross misconduct that characterized the Home Branch Election held on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Background and Pre-Election Malpractices

The integrity of this election was compromised well before the first ballot was cast:

Unilateral Appointments: The outgoing executive, led by Prof. Austin Aghemelo, single-handedly appointed an Electoral Committee (ELECO) without proper consensus, despite firm objections raised by members during a general meeting at the Senior Staff Club, Ekpoma in February 2026.

Arbitrary Schedule Changes: Under the leadership of Mr. Chris Aikhohi, ELECO repeatedly altered the electoral schedule, creating confusion via conflicting directives on the official Home Branch WhatsApp platform. Nominations were abruptly reopened and extended to August 10, 2026, forcing a rushed manifesto presentation on Thursday, August 13, and election on Friday, August 14. Also opening windows for their cronnies to collect nomination forms

Compromised Neutrality and Venue Selection: The election venue was moved to the private residence of Mr. Tony Imonitie, an interested party running for office, raising clear conflict-of-interest concerns. 

Interference from Leadership: A release issued by the Worldwide President Dr. Clifford Imade Omozeghian Esq reported to have been drafted by biased local figures, less than 48 hours to the manifesto further confirmed that the election process was being systematically manipulated.

Poor Financial Report: For a General / End of Tenure meeting of this nature, members were looking forward to, if not a detailed account statement, at least a summary of all income and expenditure. However, members were shocked to learn that the financial report being presented, which only stated total income and total expenditure, was dated as of December 2025 for a financial report presented in August 2026. This no doubt buttresses why all efforts were made to ensure that the election was compromised.

Disenfranchisement and High-Handedness on Election Day

Contrary to established tradition and the provisions of the Home Branch Constitution—which mandate that all financial members are eligible to vote—the basic democratic rights of members were actively suppressed:

Mass Disenfranchisement: Over 140 financial members arrived at the venue expecting to vote. The venue was so uncomfortable as many members had to stand while others remained outside. However, the National Executive Council (NEC) Observer (Chairperson, AAUE Auchi Branch), sent by the Worldwide President Dr. Clifford, took over proceedings, discarded established voter rules, and threatened delegates to use the Police and Army to arrest members if they refused to follow his directives.

Militarization and Intimidation: The venue was heavily militarized by armed personnel, including four soldiers, 13 police officers from the Ekpoma Police Division, and armed local youths. Potential voters made up of Senior Professors, Academics, Professionals, captains of business and respected members were subjected to harassment and verbal abuse, with married women targeted with derogatory language.

Fabricated Voters' List: The NEC Observer in connivance with the ELECO produced an unverified, hidden list of only 49 "selected" voters, allegedly compiled from attendance records between 2023 and 2026. Disregard the provision that financial members were eligible to vote as contained in the constitution and used during the election that brought the Aghimelo lead executive. The 49 membership list was never published or shared with candidates like the earlier favoured Chamanship candidate Comrade Dr. Obasanmi Jude. It systematically excluded active financial members (including Comr. Austin Onobhayedo, Dr. Paul Itua, and many others) while including individuals who had never attended meetings This list was deliberately tailored to favour a specific chairmanship candidate, Mr. Peter Dame, who had previously boasted of controlling the process.

Inconclusive Polling and Flawed Computation: Independent observers noted that only a fraction of attendees voted about 29 persons. Discrepancies immediately arose when accredited voters were recorded at 43, while the vote tally stood at 45. For other executive positions which they have refused to release, total votes cast fluctuated erratically between 20 and 24. Escalating arguments forced the NEC Observer to leave the arena, and the whole process made inconclusive. 

Midnight Results and Digital Censorship

WhatsApp Group Restriction: Admin controls were placed on the official Home Branch WhatsApp group 48 hours prior to the election to suppress member feedback and critical inquiries.

Conflicting Declarations: At approximately 10:13 PM on election night, ELECO Chairman Mr. Chris Aikhohi released a flawed, partial result declaring Mr. Peter Dame the winner. At 10:56 PM, Mr. Dame Peter who notably failed to resign his post as Worldwide Secretary-General prior to contesting, hurriedly deleted the declaration from the group.

Unilateral Overhaul: At 5:15 AM on Saturday, August 15, 2026, ELECO Chairman posted yet another statement in a desperate bid to correct previous errors in what was demonstrably an inconclusive election.

OUR CONCERNS

The election was fundamentally not free, not fair and not credible in all ramifications thus the election can best be described as inconclusive, chaotic, and unconstitutional.

Financial members were unlawfully disenfranchised in direct violation of the Constitution and prior ELECO directives of 13th August 2026.

Ballot box stuffing and vote manipulation occurred, evidenced by mathematical contradictions between accreditation and total votes cast and results for other offices.

The ELECO failed to disclose the number of ballot papers produced.

Intimidation, militarization, and verbal abuse were used to suppress voters and control the outcome, particularly from The National Observer, the erstwhile Home Branch Chairman Prof. Austine Aghimelo, member Alumni BOT Prof. Omeimen Ujuanbi, the ELECO Chairman Mr. Chris, and Mr. Peter Dame (National Assistant Secretary and a Chairmanship Candidate) who on several occasion threatened senior Professors, captains of industries and other credible members.

Lack of transparency: The voter list was concealed prior to the election, and the only digital communication channel (Whatsapp Group) was censored as only Admins could make post uptil the time of this release

OUR DEMANDS / PRAYERS

In light of these glaring infractions, we respectfully call for the following immediate actions of the Alumni WorldWide President, all relevant agencies and stakeholders:

Nullification: The immediate cancellation of the fraudulent and inconclusive Home Branch Election held on August 14, 2026.

Reconstitution of ELECO: The immediate dissolution of the current Electoral Committee and the establishment of a truly independent, balanced, and properly constituted ELECO, that will work with the constitution

Non-Recognition: That no formal institution or stakeholder, including Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma management, security agencies, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), PFFM, or the general public, recognizes anyone claiming to have been elected through this compromised process. They do not represent the over 600 active financial members of the Home Branch.

Financial Audit: Arising from the manner in which the Executive Committee (EXCO) ran the finances of the House, we are demanding a complete financial audit of the accounts for the last five years.

NOTICE OF ULTIMATUM AND CONSEQUENCES

We hereby issue a strict seven (7) day notice to the Worldwide President (WWP) and the National Executive Council (NEC) to address these anomalies and rectify the gross injustice perpetrated against our members. Failure to address these critical concerns within this timeframe will leave us with no choice but to take the following actions:

Withdrawal of Subscriptions: Financial members, particularly staff of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, whose dues are deducted directly at the source, will immediately instruct the university administration to halt all salary deductions and withhold further financial contributions.

Parallel Association: Disenfranchised financial members will formally reconstitute themselves to establish a factional Home Branch dedicated to upholding democratic integrity, members welfare and promote the good image of the university.

HB Digital Space Censorship: To counter ongoing digital censorship, we shall establish official social handles that will ensure total transparency, and provide an unhindered voice for all verified financial members and relevant stakeholders.

Legal Action: We will initiate immediate legal proceedings to challenge the validity of this inconclusive election and seek formal redress in a court of law.

Continued inaction on these matters will fundamentally harm the healthy growth of the Home Branch, which historically serves as the flagship and foundation of the entire Alumni Association.

CONCLUSION

We extend our sincere appreciation to all financial and dedicated members who continue to support the Association despite these severe structural challenges. Furthermore, we express our profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Mrs. Eunice Omonzijie, and the university management for remaining completely neutral and declining to influence or interfere in the electoral process.

Signed,

Comr. Austine Onobhayedo

Comr. Dr. Z.U. Mamudu

Comr. Benedict Oseyomon

Comr. Okhiria Peace Okosun

Comr. Mrs. R. I. Egbon

Comr. Aidenojie Monday

Dr. Mrs. G.O. Ochie

For: Concerned Financial Members & Stakeholders

Ambrose Alli University Alumni Association (Home Branch)

Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria