Ogbunike: I See No Reason Anyone Would Be So Determined To Have Me Eliminated

COMR HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI, Ph.D 

Ndi Ogbunike, I make haste to conclude that my reports on the untoward hardship we are going through daily on the dilapidated roads, and series of verifiable records on the spate of roads accidents in our town, have been received with blind eyes and deaf ears, accompanied by utmost levity, in circumstances which leave me with the impression of Ogbunike being a victim of systemic, if not institutional, machinations.
In the circumstances of my desperation for Ogbunike to receive Government’s attention, in my renewed call for the people in Government to address the plights of ndi Ogbunike, some highly-placed people within the Government circles and political architecture, who are of Ogbunike extraction, have began to regroup with the sole intent to silence the sound of Ogene. 

Recall, sometime in September 2020, in the season of madness, some desperate political appointees from Ogbunike sent town criers to go round the villages, and announce that the Governor was visiting to speak to the people. Ndi Ichie and ndi Nze Ogbunike were stampeded, ambushed and deceived to dress in royal regalia to welcome the Governor at the town hall. The highly referred Umuada Ogbunike were lured to the venue, while some youths, who were hoping to seize the opportunity to speak their minds to the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, were all present.

Trouble started after waiting for several hours under scorching sun without catching a glimpse of the BIG in-law, the Governor. Reluctantly, people began to disperse in groups, while the patient ones moved into the hall still hopeful, but the governor was nowhere at sight. Right inside the Obi Ogbunike, the town hall, an abomination was committed, the conveners battled to move an unpopular motion seeking to stop Ogbuefi/Ichie Comrade Harris Chuma-Odili, Ph.D, from demanding dividends of democracy for his home town Ogbunike. The sacred institution of Ndi Ichie and Nze Ogbunike was desecrated, Nwadiogbu, Egenti and co-travellers decieved ndi Nze na Ozo and Umuada to assemble at the Ogbunike town hall to receive the Governor, who was far away in United States of America observing his annual leave of office, unaware of such gathering.

Chaiiii, oh, I remember when tall trees were lands for the squirrels, Nnamdi Nwadiogbu would have been ostracised and made to atone for his sins against Ndi Ichie and Nze Ogbunike. Umuada would have protested naked with green leaves as head gears. Oh! Onwu, death! Only, If it were when Nnam Godwin Onumba, Nnam Odili Maduka, and Nnam Jacob Okakpu, Ochie Nnam Adaka Mbosi, Ochie Nnam Obiezue were alive, Ogene  Ogbunike would have sent down the rain, but yadiba. 

The ill contrived town hall crusade, a disgraceful event orchestrated by the tactless, disoriented, clueless and directionless Caretaker Committee Leadership of Ogbunike Progress Union, OPU, bankrolled and led by the saintly Oyi LGA boss, Engr Nnamdi Nwadiogbu, to say the least was a misfire. The initial plan, was to prevail on ndi Ichie Ogbunike to derobe Ogene, then ask the APGA Ward Chairmen and stakeholders to fire Ogene from the Ojukwu’s party. They had wished to perpetuate the evil act with the spurious allegations that Ogene was speaking for his pockets, not for Ogbunike or ndi Ogbunike. But, Ndi Ichie Ogbunike cannot be hoodwinked into dancing according to the whims and caprices of the desperate politicians. 

In a blind bid to discredit Ogene, bring him to disrepute, and public ridicule, Engr Nnamdi Nwadiogbu, paid a faction of Ifite Ogbunike Village Union, and Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogbunike Progress Union, OPU, to issue press releases disassociating OPU and Ifite Village from the media publication titled “Open Letter to Governor Obiano by Ogbuefi Comr Harris Chuma”, where I boldly demanded that the State Government should pay attention to the ‘save our soul’ outcry of ndi ogbunike. 

Sincerely, my dirty sins were calling on the Government of the day to finish the abandoned road projects, reminding them about the electoral promises made to ndi Ogbunike, the unredeemed pledge of making the ancient Cave to become a world-class tourist centre. The promise to create employments and job opportunities for our teeming university graduates, who are jobless after several years of acquiring university education. Our young graduates sleep and wake up without a solution at sight, no source of livelihood, hapless, and hopeless situation. 

Sadly, most of our able bodied youths have deserted Ogbunike in search of daily manna, some have died on the high sea trying to enter Europe through Libya. Others are wandering about in Lagos, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, and other parts of Africa roaming the streets in search of greener pastures. Just last year, we had to bury some indigenes, who died in Liberia, unfortunately the deceased were umu Ogbunike, who had been neglected by the governments, and selfish politicians in our town. 

In my advocacy notes, I vigorously campaigned, and sensitized our people on the need to hold public office holders accountable. I have courageously continued to call on the State Government to urgently unmask these people who are behind our ordeals and travails. Repeatedly, Ndi Ogbunike have been told by some Government officials that enemies of progress live amongst us; that some wealthy individuals are responsible for our predicaments. We need to fish out these faceless individuals who are hellbent on using Ogbunike to massage their ego, and wreck havoc to our common patrimony. This needs to be done urgently, particularly with a view to saving the lives of ndi Ogbunike, and bringing these enemies of progress to justice and legal strictures.

As a discerning citizen, son of the soil, and Ogene Ogbunike, I have always discharged my legitimate duties as a redcap chief, and law-abiding Nigerian. Ogbunike needs rapid developments, let it happen in my time, we have the opportunity to rewrite history, to make our children proud.

For those who are asking for my head, you should be ashamed of yourselves. For those who are holding night meetings with plans to gag the lone voice, refrain, stop, or face the wrath of the people.  For those who have sold their souls to the devil, repent before it is too late. I see no reason anyone would be so determined to have Ogene Igbo eliminated.

Irrespective of many threats and present nightmares, I have vowed to continue to stand for that which is right, no matter whose ox is gored.

Ekenem!