by Chukwudi George Ozalla
A quiet sense of purpose settled over the palatial residence of High Chief Jim Martins Nwabueze, Ichie Akubudike and Agubuzo Na Dunukofia at Ugwueze Umudioka on Monday, 2 February 2025, as political leaders, traditional figures and stakeholders from across the local government area gathered for an evening of consultation and consensus building. Drawn from the six towns that make up Dunukofia, the meeting was convened to forge a unified and binding understanding on zoning the chairmanship of the local government, with the aim of easing political tension and promoting orderly leadership succession.
High Chief Nwabueze told the gathering that the engagement was held at the instance of Prince Engr Arthur Ikpechukwu Eze, OFR, an illustrious son of the Ukpo Ancient Kingdom, whose influence and interventions have left an enduring imprint on Dunukofia, Anambra State and the country at large. He said Prince Eze had contributed significantly to the area over the years through consistent support and intervention, noting that the revered title of Ozoigbondu was earned through service and sacrifice rather than by name.
According to Nwabueze, Prince Eze’s position was that the incumbent chairman of Dunukofia Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Chijioke Ozumba, should be supported to complete a second term in office, after which the chairmanship would rotate to other towns within the council. He explained that the proposal was rooted in democratic choice guided by consultation and mutual understanding, a process that would help lower political temperature and prevent avoidable divisions during elections.
He noted that although the final direction of local government elections usually rests with the governor, it was important for the people of Dunukofia to first carry out their own responsibility by consulting widely, aligning positions and presenting a clear and united voice. Such internal agreement, he said, would place the local government in a stronger position when decisions are eventually taken at the state level.
Nwabueze further explained that the meeting marked the beginning of sustained stakeholder engagements, not a one-off event, adding that discussions would continue with other groups and interests across the local government area. He said such negotiations are expected to extend to higher elective positions. He praised Prince Eze’s enduring love for Dunukofia and his consistent commitment to peace, unity and development.
In line with Igbo custom, Nwabueze presented and broke the kola nut, offering prayers for peace, progress and unity across Dunukofia, Anambra State and Nigeria. He also announced a presentation of two million naira for kola.
Speakers who took turns at the gathering acknowledged Prince Eze’s long-standing interventions and the various development initiatives he has attracted to the area over the years. They urged political actors and community leaders to key into the zoning understanding as a practical way to reduce waste of resources and avoid heated contests that often strain communal relations.
Those present included members of the cabinet, revered traditional title holders, serving and former office holders, aspirants and former aspirants to various offices, special assistants, president generals and former president generals of town unions, representatives of political parties, members of the Ichie Akubudike Foundation and other critical stakeholders. Guests were received and hosted by High Chief Nwabueze, whose hospitality reflected the importance he attached to the engagement, with a selection of fine wines, champagne and choice cuisines. Nwabueze is a philanthropist, founder of the Ichie Akubudike Foundation and a close ally of Prince Eze, whom he regards as a mentor and respected elder statesman.
Dunukofia Local Government Area was created in 1996, bringing together the towns of Ukpo, Ifitedunu, Umunnachi, Umudioka, Ukwulu and Nawgu into a single administrative unit. With its headquarters in Ukpo, the area occupies a strategic position in Anambra Central Senatorial District and hosts the Nigeria Police Force Zone 13 Headquarters, which oversees police operations in Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states.
