As reported by Tochukwu Raphael, for DDM News:
Residents of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Monday staged a protest against what they described as decades of government neglect after devastating floods triggered by days of heavy rainfall submerged homes, shops and major access roads, leaving residents stranded and economic activities crippled.
The flood disaster, which has reportedly plagued the community for over 22 years, once again brought life to a standstill as overflowing drainage channels and deep ponds sent surging waters across the old road linking Onitsha to Enugu State, obstructing both human and vehicular movement. Angry youths of the community, frustrated by years of suffering and unfulfilled promises, took to the flooded streets to demand urgent intervention from both the Anambra State and Federal Governments.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), which visited the affected area, witnessed scores of distressed residents wading through deep floodwaters while chanting solidarity songs and expressing outrage over what they termed the abandonment of the community by authorities.
Several residents who spoke to DDM said the recurring flood crisis has displaced dozens of families and destroyed properties worth millions of naira over the years. According to them, the flooding is largely caused by the overflow of a massive pit constructed near the affected road as a collection point for runoff water flowing from four neighboring communities — Umudioka, Umunachi, Abatete and Eziowelle.
Watch the Video below:
The residents lamented that despite repeatedly writing to government authorities and proposing possible solutions, their appeals have consistently been ignored.
As the protest gathered momentum, President of Ogidi Youths Nigeria and Diaspora, Chris Obi Okafor, led demonstrators through the flooded community while calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and save the town from further devastation.
Mr. Okafor accused successive administrations of failing to address the worsening environmental disaster, warning that continued neglect could expose residents to even greater danger during the peak of the rainy season.
The impact of the flooding, residents say, extends beyond ordinary households. The royal palace of the traditional ruler of Ogidi, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Igwe Alexander Uzodinma Onyido, has also been severely affected.
Just a few meters from the palace lies another deep pond believed to contribute significantly to the flooding. Residents disclosed that during heavy rains, the pond frequently overflows into the royal residence and surrounding areas without warning.
In a symbolic move during the protest, Mr. Okafor led demonstrators to the Igwe’s palace where community members emotionally narrated their ordeal to the monarch.
Responding to the protesters, the traditional ruler, who acknowledged being personally affected by the disaster, sympathized with the people and assured them of his commitment to engage relevant government authorities toward finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
Meanwhile, the persistent flooding continues to inflict severe hardship on commuters and motorists using the affected road corridor. Many drivers now avoid the route for fear of plunging into submerged drainages, while others who attempt to navigate the floodwaters often end up stranded in thick mud.
Residents say the situation deteriorates with each passing rainy season, raising fears that worse may still lie ahead.
With the 2026 rainy season fast approaching, many families in Ogidi now live in anxiety and uncertainty, unsure of what tomorrow may bring if urgent action is not taken.
