Endorsement Of Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike In Akukwa Umuchu Suffers Setback As Prince Ezechukwu Jr Questions The Process

KINGSLEY EBERE

The planned endorsement of former Mayor of Aguata Local Government, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, for the Aguata Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat in Akukwa, Umuchu, has suffered a setback following questions raised over the process.

 

Prince Ezechukwu Jnr., who is from the royal family of Igwe Umuchu, has questioned the manner in which the endorsement is being planned in the name of Ozara Akukwa community.

 

According to information made available, some individuals are reportedly planning to endorse Dr. Ofobuike in Akukwa on the same date that Prince Ezechukwu Jr. had earlier scheduled a major community development project in the same community.

 

The development has raised concerns among stakeholders, who are asking who was consulted before fixing a political endorsement programme in the name of the entire Ozara Akukwa community.

In a statement issued by the PIE Media Centre, Prince Ezechukwu Jr. noted that Ozara Akukwa is a community that belongs to its people and not the property of a few individuals. He stressed that if an event is presented as an endorsement by the entire community, it is necessary to establish whether relevant stakeholders were carried along.

 

“The young prince questions process, says community consultation is missing,” the statement noted.

It was gathered that Prince Ezechukwu Jr. had earlier planned the 2nd Annual Free Medical Outreach and Drug Distribution Programme being organized by the Oganiru Foundation for the benefit of Akukwa and neighbouring communities. The programme is expected to provide free medical consultation and distribute thousands of essential drugs to both young and elderly residents, including men and women.

 

Some community elders who spoke on the issue said earlier communication about the proposed endorsement for Dr. Ofobuike could have helped avoid what they described as an unfortunate clash of dates.

They noted that the medical outreach is a humanitarian initiative aimed at delivering tangible health benefits to the people of Akukwa and its environs, and should not be overshadowed by political activities.

 

The elders emphasized that Ozara Akukwa belongs to its people, not any particular group or political interest, and expressed disappointment that basic consultation with relevant stakeholders appears to have been overlooked in planning an event being associated with the entire community.

Stakeholders further observed that proper dialogue and inclusive consultation are essential in matters concerning the community, especially when such matters involve political endorsements.

Meanwhile, attention remains on the planned medical outreach, which is said to have generated excitement among residents due to its direct impact on community health and well-being.

The question on the lips of many residents is: If the planned endorsement of Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike in Akukwa, Umuchu, is truly an Ozara Akukwa endorsement, who was consulted and where is the community’s collective mandate?

As at the time of filing this report, efforts to get additional clarification from the organizers of the planned endorsement were ongoing.