Nkerefi Traditional Rulers Confer Ofo on Ogbuekwe, Back Nkanu East APC Chairmanship Bid

…Urge Grassroots Focus in Line with Mbah’s Development Agenda

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The Nkerefi Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, in collaboration with the Four Towns Union Presidents and the President General of the Nkerefi Development Union, has conferred the Ofo Staff of Authority on Hon. Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, Mirioma Na Nkanu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship flag bearer for Nkanu East Local Government Area.

The ceremony, held in Nkerefi on Saturday, was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders and featured an expression of support for Ogbuekwe ahead of the forthcoming local government election.

The revered Ofo was jointly presented by the four traditional rulers of Nkerefi, led by HRH Igwe Luke Ogbuta Okorie of Imeoha Nkerefi, Chairman of the Council. Other monarchs present were HRH Igwe Emmanuel Onukwube of Enuogu Nkerefi, HRH Igwe Sunday Onyekwere of Ohuani Amofu Nkerefi, and HRH Igwe Christian Michael Ogbonna of Ishienu Amofu Nkerefi.

In their charge, the traditional rulers urged Ogbuekwe to remain committed to the development of Nkerefi and Nkanu East should he secure the mandate of the electorate.

They also referenced the development priorities of Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, encouraging the APC candidate to pursue a similarly people-focused approach to grassroots development, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and community-oriented projects.

The reference to the governor’s administration formed part of the broader expectations communicated to Ogbuekwe by the traditional institution, rather than a statement of the governor’s personal endorsement of his candidature.

Responding, Ogbuekwe thanked the traditional rulers, chiefs, union leaders and residents of Nkerefi for the honour and confidence expressed in him.

He said the Ofo came with a responsibility to serve and pledged to deploy his professional experience toward improving the fortunes of Nkanu East if elected chairman.

The APC candidate also acknowledged what he described as notable development efforts by the Mbah administration across Enugu State, saying that lessons from the state’s development approach could inform his plans for Nkanu East.

The event comes against the backdrop of increasing political activity ahead of the local government election, with candidates and political parties seeking support from voters, traditional institutions and community organisations.

While the Nkerefi ceremony provides Ogbuekwe with visible support from influential stakeholders in his home community, the chairmanship election remains a contest to be decided by the electorate across Nkanu East.

Beyond the political symbolism of the occasion, the presentation of the Ofo placed emphasis on the responsibilities expected of whoever eventually emerges as chairman: effective grassroots administration, infrastructure development and responsiveness to the needs of the people.

For Ogbuekwe, the ceremony therefore marks both a traditional recognition and another stage in his campaign for the Nkanu East chairmanship.