Don’t Set Ogbunike On Fire! – Ogene Cautions

DIKEIGBO EZEISI 

Frontline Igweship aspirant in Ogbunike, Oyi LGA Anambra State, Chief Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris Udokamma, a.k.a Ogene Ogbunike, has called on the patriotic citizens of Ogbunike to rise up and retrieve their beloved town from the firm grip of politicians, who are desperate to disrupt the ongoing peaceful process of electing the new monarch of Ogbunike Town.

Ogene made the clarion call on Monday 6th January, 2025, at the joint meeting of the leadership of Ogbunike Progress Union OPU and Traditional Council of Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike held at the town hall.

It was reported that some group of persons were scheming to halt the ongoing race to the throne of Ogbunike, by introducing a new constitution of Igwe Ogbunike. Chief Nnamdi Chiegbu, who was sent by the campaigners of the new constitution, to present the proposal, was told that the idea was dead on arrival and cannot fly.

One of the aspirants to the throne, Chief Sir Timothy Onwuka, who reacted to the proposal to change the Igwe Ogbunike constitution, said as beautiful as the idea may appear, that it came at the wrong time, and cannot be said to be in good faith.

In his words, “The Igwe Ogbunike Constitution 1978 has been unanimously approved and adopted by the Ogbunike Progress Union, and Traditional Council of Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike at a joint meeting held on November 23, 2024. And any attempt to halt the ongoing process, is a big slap on the faces of Igweship aspirants and the stakeholders. Where were the proposers of a new constitution since May 4, 2024 when the official declaration of Igweship race was made? Why would this proposal be brought to the joint meeting of today? This is not why we are here. This joint meeting was convened by OPU and the Traditional Council to present the guidelines for the selection or election of new Igwe Ogbunike. The Igwe Ogbunike Constitution 1978 is what we have followed till this moment. And, no new constitution will replace it”.

Another notable Chief, who spoke against the idea of introducing a new constitution was the Vice President of OPU, Chief Chikadibia Okoye, a.k.a Ezeajana. He registered his disappointment at the campaigners of a new constitution, and made his position known.

“We have gone far, and cannot be halted by an idea whose time is not ripe. We have unanimously agreed to use the Igwe Ogbunike Constitution 1978, and anything to the contrary is throwing the spanner in the wheel of progress. I’m the Ezeajana Ogbunike, my grand father and my father was Ogbuefi Ogbunike. I’m not akakwu. Be it known, that I have no preffered candidate for the Igweship race. If any of these candidates emerges as Igwe Ogbunike be it Ezeudo, Osuofia, Ogene, Akwueke, Onwuagbu, it’s okay by me, as long as such a candidate was chosen by Ogbunike community. Any of the aspirants, who becomes the Igwe can later call for a new constitution, if necessary. I stand on Igwe Ogbunike 1978 Constitution. We should be careful in certain decisions we make, this journey is spiritual, everyone should know this” Chief Okoye said.

Earlier, the President General of Ogbunike Progress Union, OPU, Chief Tochukwu Obiakor a.k.a Akudinobi, made frantic efforts to sell the idea of a new constitution, but was shutdown by uproar of comments from the red cap chiefs at the meeting. One Chief Ezekwesili of Osile Ogbunike moved a motion that the President General lacked the requisite leadership qualities to pilot the affairs of Ogbunike Town. He suggested that the Vice President should take over the seat and address the issues properly. But that motion was not seconded nor adopted by the house.

Another Ogbunike son, Chief Ifeanyi Okaro a.k.a Akulueuno, opined that any meeting held at someone’s private residence by a select few and resolutions reached, cannot be binding on Ogbunike community. He posited that no one has the right to impose an idea on ndi Ogbunike without observing due process.

“We should not forget why we are here today. We are here to go through the Igweship selection or election guidelines as will be presented by the legal Advisers of both the OPU and Traditional Council. I’m surprised to see that the lawyers are proposing an adjournment to enable them fix things in their papers. Does it mean that they weren’t prepared before convening this joint meeting? We should learn to take things as serious as they are” Chief Okaro said.

In a swift reaction to the muted idea of introducing a new constitution to the race of Ogbunike’s throne, Dr Chuma-Odili Harris Udokamma cautioned that no one should set Ogbunike back. He advised that the campaigners of a new constitution should not take the Igweship aspirants for granted.

“I’m Ogene Ogbunike, Dr Chuma-Odili Harris Udokamma. I’m standing here at Obi Ogbunike to apprise anyone who is bent on setting our peaceful and beloved town on fire to desist and retrace his steps. I’m standing here to advise that this dangerous trend of snatching victory from Ogbunike at the jaws of defeat be put to a stop. I, and my teaming supporters will challenge anyone or group of persons who are working to destroy the peace we enjoy in this community. And, I’m ready to do with the last drop of my blood. Enough is enough! Anyone who has no conscience, who thinks he can take ndi Ogbunike for grant, who is playing with the sensibilities of ndi Ogbunike, should be ready for a fight. And I repeat, they should not take the Igweship aspirants for granted.”

“We have come along way in the race to be treated like tissue paper. We have gone round doing good, showing capacity to lead, expressing desire to cause a positive change one can feel, see and touch. We have spent hugely in this race. We have presented ourselves to be screened and chosen by Ogbunike community. We have gone over 80% in the race. Anyone who thinks we can be treated like piece of trash, is trying to test the will of the good people of Ogbunike. We must eschew primordial sentiments and throw to the bin class distinctions. The resolve of the Ogbunike people should not be tested. The common sense revolution will sweep round the town, and nothing will stop it. Trouble seekers and makers should know that, this is not Ogbunike of yesteryears. This is the new Ogbunike! This is our time! We are the able and capable youths of Ogbunike of the present age and time” Dr. Chuma-Odili concluded.