According to the source, those affected by the cancellation include three Heads of Department and 27 Electoral Officers in Imo State, all of whom were allegedly sponsored for the pilgrimage by Governor Uzodimma.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State have reportedly cancelled a planned pilgrimage to Jerusalem after a SaharaReporters investigation revealed that Governor Hope Uzodimma sponsored the trip.
According to findings, Uzodimma had gifted each official $20,000 to facilitate the journey.
“The Imo State Governor already gave each of them $20,000,” a source privy to the arrangement told SaharaReporters.
A top source familiar with the development told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the foreign trip, which was to involve senior INEC officials in the state, had been abruptly called off after the report generated controversy and public scrutiny.
According to the source, those affected by the cancellation include three Heads of Department and 27 Electoral Officers in Imo State, all of whom were allegedly sponsored for the pilgrimage by Governor Uzod
“The Jerusalem trip has been cancelled,” the source disclosed. “All the officials involved have been told to suspend the journey.”
The development comes amid growing concerns over the independence of INEC and allegations of undue influence by political office holders, particularly in politically sensitive states such as Imo.
However, the situation appears to be complicated by conflicting directives from within the electoral body.
The source further revealed that the INEC National Chairman reportedly contacted the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Professor Sylvia Agu, stating that the issues surrounding the trip had been resolved.
According to the source, the INEC chairman allegedly told Professor Agu that the officials should proceed to collect their flight tickets, suggesting that the pilgrimage was back on track despite earlier indications that it had been cancelled.
“The National Chairman reportedly called Professor Sylvia Agu and told her that everything had been resolved and that they should go and collect their tickets,” the source said.
Despite this assurance, uncertainty persists among the affected officials. The source told SaharaReporters that there is confusion within INEC Imo over which directive to follow, as it remains unclear whether Professor Agu’s claim accurately reflects the position of the INEC headquarters.
“They don’t know whether Professor Sylvia Agu is saying the right thing or not,” the source added, noting that the mixed signals have left many of the officials uneasy.
The alleged involvement of the state governor in sponsoring INEC officials for an overseas religious trip has raised serious ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding the neutrality of the electoral umpire ahead of future elections.
As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Imo State Government had issued an official statement to clarify the status of the pilgrimage or to respond to the allegations surrounding the alleged $20,000 payments.
SaharaReporters had exclusively obtained details showing that Governor Uzodimma sponsored a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for top INEC officials, including the REC, three Heads of Department, and 27 Electoral Officers drawn fro
EXCLUSIVE: Full List Of REC, HODs, 27 Electoral Officers Sponsored By Imo Gov Uzodimma On Jerusalem Pilgrimage”
Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that the INEC Imo State management team and selected staff would depart for Jerusalem on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, under a sponsorship arrangement facilitated by the Imo State Governor.
According to the insider, the pilgrimage delegation was led by the Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Agu, and accompanied by senior officials of the commission, including Esther Okorie, Head of Department (Operations); Barrister Onyinye Nwankwo, Acting Head of Department (Legal); and Agnes Elukpo, Acting Head of Department (ICT).
INEC, by law, is expected to operate independently of executive influence.
Meanwhile, accepting sponsorships, gifts, or benefits from elected officials, particularly governors who are major political stakeholders, could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Beyond the REC and departmental heads, SaharaReporters revealed the names of the 27 Electoral Officers included in the pilgrimage.
From Aboh Mbaise: Ukelegharanya Edna
Ahiazu Mbaise: Uche Asagwara
Obowo: Ugo Blessing
Oru East: Obetta Chinyere
Ihitte Uboma: Anioma Honour
Onuimo: Ohabuiro Henry
Isiala Mbano: Nweze Elizabeth
Ideato South: Wendy Preye Ahumibe
Ngor Okpala: Ogbuishi Robinson
Owerri North: Kene Ezeabasili
Other Electoral Officers on the list include: Ohaji/Egbema: Nwosu Ikenna Noel
Nkwerre: Ifeoma Okoli
Ehime Mbano: Ogbuehi Gloria
Ikeduru: Nkemakolam Nwankwo
Oguta: Obiechehie Ozioma
Orsu: Mbah Chinyere Gift
Owerri Municipal: Uzo Chikwendu
Orlu: Godfrey Okocha
Mbaitoli: Ikembuchukwu Omeje
Oru West: Anah-Kelechi Theresa
Ideato North: Onwuasoanya Anthony
Nwangele: Adonu Stella Apeh
Ezinihitte Mbaise: Mbamalu Fortune
Owerri West: Ijeoma Nlewedim
Isu: Nwazunku Jonas
Njaba: Ifeanyi Nnaji
Okigwe: Ifeanyi Nwakpa
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