Ndi-Ogbuefi Ogbunike Begin Reconciliation Moves After Averting Violent Igweship Election
Anambra High Court sitting in Awka has granted an injunction sought by Ndi-Ogbuefi Ogbunike in diaspora for a stay of action in the process of selecting the traditional ruler of Ogbunike.
The injunction sought in suit no. OT/280/2025 before Hon. Justice A.O. Okuma was granted on Sept. 9.
The matter was between Ikenna Aniekwena, Osita Azodo, Okwudili Okeke, Chike Okoye, Emmanuel Ofoche and Dennis Elobisi for themselves and other Ndi-Ogbuefi against Samuel Chiakor, the President General OPU, Nwafor Onyezie and Dr Anieweta Onunkwo.
The plaintiffs had approached the court seeking to halt irregularities in the process on the grounds that the tenure of key leadership organs had expired and that the Ndi Ogbuefi leadership had been factionalised.
They argued that no election in the magnitude of Ogbunike traditional ruler could lawfully be conducted under the authority of a factionalised Ndi-Ogbuefi.
Ndi Ogbuefi Ogbunike in diaspora described their action as a patriotic intervention and bold step towards lasting
peace in the Ogbunike community where tension was building up over the traditional stool.
The plaintiffs said August this year, preparations for the Igweship election gathered momentum but existing cracks within the Ogbunike Progress Union and the Ndichie/Ogbuefi Council raised concerns over a possible flawed process that could lead to violent confrontation
The Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy had granted approval for the Igwe stool election to hold on Sept. 13 without the consent of the federating village unions – the very bedrock of Ogbunike’s governance.
“Alll efforts to unmask the source of the request that the Commissioner acceded to has yielded no result, so, decided to take legal steps to stanch the further descent into impunity and possibly anarchy
“We approached the court to declare the permission to the present OPU Exco to conduct election for Igwe Ogbunike stool of no consequence given the failure of the OPU to hold a meeting with the full body of the traditional council of Ndichie Ogbunike
“On Sept. 9, a State High Court granted an injunction restraining all concerned from taking any steps towards conducting an Igweship election for Ogbunike Community pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“This move instantly calmed what could have become a storm,” the Chiefs said.
Chief Ikenna Aniekwena, Chairman of the Ndi Ogbuefi Ogbunike in the Diaspora Legal Committee said, having secured the injunction, they immediately began to chart a path toward true and sustainable reconciliation by inviting other parties to a peace meeting.
He said the reconciliation scheduled to hold in the coming days would address a number of issues including clarifying leadership roles, agreeing on governing instruments, mapping out a transparent roadmap for future elections, and drafting a term for permanent settlement.
He said other parties had been contacted through their Counsel, O.I Udemezue and Co.
He said the two prong approach of halting chaos through legal intervention and extending a hand of peace reflected a rare blend of foresight and patriotism.
“By combining firmness in upholding the rule of law with openness to dialogue, they have offered the community a rare chance, an opportunity to bury their divisions and move forward as one.
“Ndi Ogbuefi Ogbunike in Diaspora have shown that they are not swayed by factional
loyalties but by a desire to secure unity and stability for their homeland,” he said.
Aniekwena reassured the people of the town of their patriotic zeal and urged them to trust the group.
“We have undertaken these steps at significant cost to our time and resources to save the town from paying a bigger price in the future.
“Ndi Ogbunike should trust us, there are about forty of us involved in this for the sake of patriotism and with God, we shall achieve lasting peace for our community.
“Our people should be rest assured that we must keep them updated every step of the way.”
