Oba community: Bumpy road to the making of Engr Augustine Emelobe as Eze Okpoko II
From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
People of Oba community, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State are singing a new song of unity and progress presently following the successful election of Engr. Augustine Chiedu Emelobe as the traditional ruler and Igwe Eze Okpoko II .
But the much anticipated crown didn’t come easy. The Ist Eze Okpoko of Oba, Igwe Peter Chukwuma Ezenwa died in 2018 after spending 42 years on the throne. After completing his last Ofala and final burial rights, it was expected that a new traditional ruler will emerge in Oba at least one year after Igwe Ezenwa’s demise. But that couldn’t materialize following the lingering dispute, display of vested interests and power play in the election of the town union executives-the Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), the body vested with the constitutional powers to commence and complete the process of producing the traditional ruler.
So after seven years of petitions, counter-petitions, legal battles, and deep-seated divisions among brothers, in-laws, friends, and well-wishers, peace finally prevailed in Oba on March 15, 2025 when members of the community finally came together to choose their king in the person of Emelobe.
President General Oba Patriotic Union, Engr. Anthony Uzor Ejiofor recalled that the formal process in the last dispensation that eventually succeeded in the task started on 20th April 2024.
He went down memory lane to recall other failed processes in the past and the eventual scaling down to the two final contestants to the position in the persons of Engr Augustine Emelobe from Okuzu village and Barr Vincent Ananti from Isu village.
A dramatic twist was added to the struggle when the Oba people gathered first on December 21st 2024 for the election where Emelobe was elected in an overwhelming majority votes but the Anambra state government later voided the election citing its non-participation in monitoring the election. Ananti who was supposed to stand as Emelobe’s opponent in the election also announced his withdrawal during the last minute preparation for the election. Oba people bemoaned the massive losses recorded in the cancelled election in terms of finance, logistics, man-hours spent among others but they braced the odds and rallied round again until government announced a new date for a fresh election.
The March 15, 2025 election was dramatic and as well seamless at Merchant of Light School Oba, venue of the election. Tension was high initially that day but what initially seemed destined for conflict and unrest turned into a moment of unity and reconciliation. The entire community, including all nine villages that make up Oba, overwhelmingly endorsed the candidacy of Engr. Emelobe.
The electoral process was conducted peacefully and the surprise announcement of withdrawal by Chief Barr. Vincent Ananti (Ananepungwu Oba), at the election venue shortly after accreditation doused all tension. Ananti personally appeared at the election venue and formally announced his decision not to contest, urging the people to support Engr. Emelobe.
“Enough is enough,” Ananti declared. “I have been in this contest since 2021, and today, my own people, my zone, have resolved to put forward one candidate, Engr. Augustine Chinedu Emelobe. For the sake of peace, progress, and unity, I stand by this decision. We are all brothers. Let us support Engr. Emelobe to move Oba forward. I congratulate him and pledge my full support.” He stated.
His decision elicited a thunderous applause and commendation.
Following the voting process, Pastor Onochie Emekaekwue, the Returning Officer and Electoral Committee Chairman, announced the final results, confirming that Engr. Augustine Chinedu Emelobe won the Igweship election with a total of 1,481 votes.
The votes cast from the nine villages were as follows: Urueze – 48 votes, Umuogali – 344 votes, Abime – 21 votes, Okuzu – 395 votes, Isu – 203 votes , Aboji – 326 votes, Ogboenwe – 21 votes, Ogwugwu – 50 votes and Ezele – 73 votes
In his acceptance speech, Igwe-elect and EzeOkpoko II, Engr. Augustine Chinedu Emelobe, expressed his profound gratitude to everyone who played a role in ensuring a smooth election. He acknowledged the unwavering support of his family, the people of Oba, the Mayor of Idemili South, Hon. Amaka Obi, the Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Nwabufor Nwankwo, and the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
The newly elected monarch wasted no time in addressing security concerns in the community. In a firm declaration, he warned criminals and hoodlums engaging in illegal activities to vacate Oba within 48 hours. He vowed to uphold the constitution of Oba, foster peace, attract meaningful development, and create employment opportunities for the youth and residents.
“Freedom has come to Oba!” he proclaimed. “You have chosen me as your Igwe and EzeOkpoko II, and I am deeply grateful to Almighty God and to every one of you. I will protect and preserve our culture and traditions. I will not extort or oppress any citizen of Oba, nor will I use my position to dispossess anyone of their property. However, I issue a stern warning: Every criminal and troublemaker must leave. If you are engaged in legitimate business, you are welcome in Oba. If not, prepare to vacate before Monday at 6 AM.”
Following the election, the President-General of the Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), Engr. Anthony Uzo Ejiofor, commended the people of Oba for prioritizing peace and unity over personal grievances.
Similarly, OPU’s Second Vice President, Hon. Ogonna Ndozie, described Engr. Emelobe’s emergence as “an answer to seven years of prayers.”
“It is well with Oba people. Igwe Emelobe is the people’s choice. He is a first-class Igwe with the capacity to lead. Every evil element must start packing out of Oba tonight,” he declared.
A prominent stakeholder and leader of thought, Elder Onyema Ugwunze, also expressed joy at the peaceful resolution of the contest.
“Glory be to God. Today, everybody is a winner. Both qualified candidates are my brothers, but it takes maturity and wisdom for one to step down for the greater good. With Engr. Emelobe as Igwe EzeOkpoko II, Oba is entering a new era of prosperity. We have talented individuals, both at home and in the diaspora, ready to contribute to Oba’s development. Our community will soon rival neighboring towns like Nnewi, Ichie, and Ojoto as a model of growth and excellence.”
Similarly, Chief Barr. Sir Felix Uzor (Ichie Enyi II) emphasized the legitimacy of the process, stating that the election strictly adhered to Oba’s constitutional guidelines as reinforced by a recent High Court consent judgment.
“Oba is blessed with many qualified individuals, but only one can be chosen. Today, God made that choice possible in the most transparent and successful manner. Engr. Emelobe is highly qualified and, most importantly, God-fearing. He will unite the people and drive development in Oba.”
The Igweship selection process was closely monitored by key government officials and stakeholders, including: Hon. Amaka Obi (Mayor, Idemili South LGA), Chief Nwabufor Nwankwo (Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs) and Oba people who have been in government like, Rt. Hon. Emeka Anyaenetu (Former Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly) Barr. Chuba Oranusi (Former Member, Anambra State House of Assembly) Chief Boniface Onyeka Okom II (Obosi Oba) and Hon. Ikenna Iyiegbu (Ike Cubana) , APGA Candidate for Idemili North/ South Federal Constiuency during the 2023 general elections. Others included Traditional Chiefs, Stakeholders, and Community Leaders from home and abroad, Security agencies, including the Police, DSS, Army, Operation Udo Ga-Achi, and Vigilante groups
With the election settled and the mandate firmly given, the people of Oba now look forward to a new chapter under the leadership of Igwe Augustine Chinedu Emelobe, EzeOkpoko II. His commitment to peace, security, and economic development has raised hopes for a brighter future. As at the time of filing this report, the newly elected traditional ruler has been presented to the Mayor of Idemili South LGA and the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Awka.
The people of Oba are happy and expectant that Governor Chukwuma Soludo will in no distant time, issue a Certificate of Recognition to the newly elected traditional ruler thereby cementing his position as the duly elected and instituted Eze Okpoko II of Oba Eboitenani.
