If there is one Igbo polician in recent times who seems to be reading the hieroglyphics of the politics of times right in Nigeria, then that Igbo man is Uzu Okagbue.
Uzuegbuna Okagbue, more popularly called “Uzu”, was born on the 1st of October 1977, to the family of Chief Chike Okagbue, a renowned businessman who owned chains of businesses with stakes in petroleum products, real estate, among others, around the Southeast and beyond.
Uzuegbuna Okagbue was a banker for almost a decade during which time he won at least three merit awards for outstanding performance, before joining former Anambra State Governor, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, as Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff for a combined period of eight years.
Uzu Okagbue, who was trained as a political scientist, quite convincingly appears to have a different approach to politics. He understands the art of the deal. In consequence, Uzu Okagbue has continually taken ‘the road less traveled’ by conventional politics. His reputation as an astute personae and his unrepentant show of selflessness in public service was hard fought and gained. Uzu remains the pricest material in Obiano’s government, and he proved himself from the beginning to the end. To his credit, no form of merchandising or commercial interest is traceable to Uzu directly or indirectly in the government, despite the enormity of influence he weilded within that government circle, at the highest levels. This only speaks to the caliber of a man Uzu Okagbue is. He just wanted the politics and policies of the government he served, to be right, and for the people to get the best possible quality service. This is not far from what he did in the banking industry with ⁷ competition, yet he stood out and was repeatedly recognised and honored.
Uzu Okagbue, former Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief of Staff to Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State, has faulted Governor Soludo’s appointment of Eze Obosi, Igwe AC Iweka, as the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, ASTRC. According to Okagbue, the governor’s appointment of Eze Obi is suspicious, contradictory, and summarily an attempt to stalk the old rivalry between Onitsha and Obosi. “You, (Governor Soludo) declared the tenure of the Obi of Onitsha as Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council illegal only to contradict yourself by acknowledging Eze Obosi as his successor”, Okagbue said.
It would be recalled that exactly a year ago, a letter from the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Collins Nwabunwanne, suspending Igwe Neni for giving Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah a chieftaincy title, sparked all sorts of controversy. In reaction, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, wrote a letter to the governor, addressing some critical issues and accused him of neglecting and insulting the Traditional Rulers Council. A few days later, the governor responded when he removed the Obi of Onitsha as the Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, claiming that his tenure has since elapsed. The governor then pledged to reconstitute the Council and appoint a new Chairman. On Saturday, January 18, exactly a year after the letter of Obi of Onitsha was released to the public, Soludo announced Igwe AC Iweka, Eze Obosi, as the new Chairman of ASTRC.
Pointing to the contradiction, Okagbue said that Soludo didn’t only contradict himself, but by his choice, he exposed a deeper mischievous intention. “Such contradictory assertions expose a deeper intent; to fan the flames of an ancient rivalry between Ndi Onitsha and Ndi Obosi, a rivalry that many of us who grew up in this land know too well. Your subtle machinations, aimed at dismantling the pillars of our cultural identity under the guise of ‘value reorientation’ are transparent to those who understand the fabric of our history,” Okagbue said.
Uzu Okagbue also accused Governor Soludo of trying to erode traditions and traditional institutions, while reminding him that “power as intoxicating as it may seem, is fleeting. The wisdom of time will remind you that your governorship of Anambra is not eternal,” Uzu Okagbue admonished.
The appointment of Eze Obosi as the Chairman of ASTRC has been viewed with suspicion in some quarters, considering the age-long rivalry between Onitsha and Obosi. A rivalry that is still very much potent and alive. However, the Obi of Onitsha has congratulated Igwe AC Iweka, on his emergence as the new Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.
