Different reactions have trailed the declaration of interest by two prominent Ogbunike sons, Ogbuefi Dr Harris Chuma-Odili Udokamma (Ogene Ogbunike) and Ogbuefi Elo Gwacham (Ezeudo Ogbunike), of their intention to occupy the Igwe seat made vacant following the demise of the Ogbunike monarch.
It will be recalled that the President General of the Ogbunike Progress Union days ago announced the intent of two aspirants before Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike. And since then there has been different reactions from Ogbunike people and some traditional stakeholders.
According to Chief Anene Chuma Osadebe, who is known as Akaeze Ogbunike, he is in the position to assume power under the Igwe Constitution 1978 (Clause 8 (2C), to act for Igwe and preside over meetings of the Igwe-In-Council. Chief Osadebe is therefore, saying that the President General’s discretional declaration is a breach of the Constitution of Ogbunike Progress Union 1994 Section 14 and did not represent the views of the Ogbunike Community.
Chief Osadebe equally expressed the view that the Ogbunike stool has not been Traditionally/Customarily declared vacant in compliance with Igwe Ogbunike Constitution 1978 Clause 20. He equally posited that the aspirants for the Igweship are not limited to only titled men but open to Ogbunike titled and non-titled sons. He therefore, suggested that the peace initiative embarked upon to unify Ndichie Ogbunike should be intensified with vigour while the Council of Ndichie and the Ogbunike Progress Union should keep their houses in order.
However, reacting to the development and discussions on the Ogbunike Igweship, Ogbuefi Ojulueze Ogbunike, said, “The process of selection has not begun. That is, if you are interested you can throw in your hat.
The processes you enumerated will begin when we have all the interested folks.
No. This announcement is merely for informational purposes. It has no basis in the process.
Screening and all are yet to happen.
a). It is not a constitutional requirement that Ndiichie must settle their squabble.
b) We have Ezeani. It is the Ezeani Ukalo that is the responsible party. He will be ready when we get there.
The two gentlemen we have on the floor are fully qualified. They have contributed to the society immensely. There is no specification as to what contributions they should make” Ogbuefi Ojulueze Ogbunike posited.
On his part, the President General of Ogbunike Progress Union, Ogbuefi Samuel Tochukwu Obiakor (Akudinobi Ogbunike) said, “In response to the breaking news on the subject matter making round in many of the social media populated by indigenes of Ogbunike both at home and in diaspora, I wish to state as follows;
1. That I did not declare open the Igwe Ogbunike contest hence could not have presented any candidates whatsoever.
2. That I only made a statement encouraging as many Ogbunike sons both at home and in diaspora to show interest in the contest for Igwe Ogbunike stool.
3. That I, the President General of Ogbunike Progress Union and my current executives are committed to following the rules for the emergence of the new Igwe Ogbunike as maybe outlined by all the stakeholders.
In the midst of these reactions, some Ogbunike sons are of the opinion that the declaration of intent made by the two prominent sons was in order and that the OPU President General was right after all. For some others, they claimed that Chief Osadebe’s posturing was to suit his aspiration to remain as Akaeze Ogbunike hoping that one of late Igwe’s son will eventually be made the Igwe and retain him in same position. A few others claimed that Chief Osadebe’s position was just so that the process can drag.
Some other Ogbunike sons claimed that Chief Osadebe took his position and quoted Igwe Ogbunike Constitution because of the fact that he has not forgotten the fued between the Igwe-In-Council and the Traditional Council of Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike even as many people who reacted to the declaration by the aspirants hit hard on the OPU President General for almost trying to dissociate himself from the exercise because of pressure.
However, it was gathered that the members of the Traditional Council of Ndichie/Ogbuefi Ogbunike have insisted that the process of picking the next Igwe Ogbunike must commence immediately. They said that their agreement after the declaration of interest by the two aspirants stands as they enjoined more interested aspirants to declare their interests.