NEWS
WHAT DOES BARR OKEY IGWE REALLY WANT?
What does BARR OKEY IGWE really want?
He was brought in from America to become our local government chairman when he had never been in politics before then. After all, we accepted and respected his elder brother for his stake in Abia politics. He emerged as a chairman in 2016; a young returnee lawyer who would have been more productive in the US Army he belonged to. Many thought he would become the messenger of hope due to his training abroad but were disappointed in his two years as chairman of Umunneochi.
Again in 2019, he was imposed on us again as a House of Assembly member, yet we couldn’t resist the strong oil magnet behind the scene, hence, we yielded to a second imposition with same person on different positions in Umunneochi. In all of these impositions, we didn’t leave him alone, instead we worked as a party to protect the party. Midway into his stay in the House of Assembly, Barr. Philip Okey Igwe is always fueling crises in the polity. He warred with previous T.C Chairmen including Barr Chima Mgbeke, Engr Matthew Ibeh and was the brain behind the unfortunate removal of Matthew as T.C Chairman. He installed Barr Eze Chikamnayo instead but later ran out of favour with him. He is drunk in the pride of being the highest PDP elected office holder in Umunneochi. But does that give him the power to control the Local Government Chairman? For Peter’s sake, he left that office totally depleted, what else is he in for? He parcelated over 500 plots of land belonging to Umunneochi to himself, family, friends and associates, yet he is still playing the ostrich. How come he is not afraid of possible probe of his activities while LGA chairman by private individuals?
Recently, election was held into the offices of Chairmen and Councillors of the 17 local governments of Abia state. Barr Okey Igwe absconded to USA to avoid participating in the election and contributing either his money or tact. He didn’t know that Umunneochi election was conducted on Saturday 19th December against 18th that was the initial date. He left the chairmanship candidate all to himself, yet came back to seek undue right. Many wondered how he was able to fly into USA amidst strict COVID-19 restrictions of entry to US. But no doubt his membership of the USA Army gave him leverage. He abandoned his company Umunneochi to seek holiday in the States while election was on course. He didn’t show presence throughout the election and after. He didn’t commit a single dime to the candidate of PDP or the the party herself in the course of the election. Perhaps, after losing out on his interest during the primary election, he gave up interest. Barr. Okey Igwe was yet in the US when all councillors emerged, but at the point they were preparing for election of Principal Officers of the Council, Okey woke up from his slumber. He started scheming for the soul of the Council. He projected his Councillor from Amuda for the Leader of the Council and other CFC councillors as principal officers. He also sought to impose one of his stooges from zone one as another Principal officer right from his parlour in the US. When the election of Principal Officers was called up on the 30th December, 2020, Okey who was still in far away US, mobilized his CFC Councillors and others led by a notorious outlaw from Mbala Isuochi to distrupt the sitting of the day. When they were rebuffed by combined Police and Civil Defence, the council went on and elected their principal officers. Rt Hon. Oguejiorfor Okoli therefore emerged as the leader. The Deputy Leader was elected from Umuaku, a part of zone 2 that has no position as of current in sharing of positions in Umunneochi. It would be recalled that Umuaku had two Councillors, one of them died in an accident the morning he was running away from the pressure to join Okey’s camp to challenge the emergence of the principal officers. Unfortunately, they were still calling the deceased phone as he was breathing his last. Sadly, enough, barley two months after this unfortunate incident, they have not called nor condoled with the family of the deceased. In sympathy to Umuaku and in respect to their departed colleague, the councillors ceded the Deputy Leadership to the other councillor from Umuaku Hon. Biereonwu Chigbo. As we speak, Barr Okey Igwe is fighting tooth and nail to strip Umuaku of this only position. He is insisting to retain the deupty leader to his ward against popular opinion. According to natural law, for the fact he was not around during the general and Principal Officers’ elections, and also given that he didn’t contribute even pure water to the campaign, he doesn’t have any right of claim to any slot for principal officers. He ran away from the responsibility of the election, yet all of us rallied round him during his own elections.
These notwithstanding, out of the five Supervisors that will form the Chairman’s cabinet, one slot was given to Chief Ndidi Okereke for zone 1, one to Barr Okey Igwe for zone 2, one to Chief Ifeanyi Okechukwu for zone 3, one to Dan Okoli for zone 4, the last one was reserved for the chairman of the LGA Chief Ifeanyi Madu. When Barr Okey started offensive against the chairman, acusing him of influencing the election of Principal Officers of the Council, the peace-loving chairman relinquished his own slot to him, allowing him two slots of supervisors just to let the sleeping dog lie. This is to us the highest show of respect and love. This is regardless of the fact that when Okey Igwe was chairman, he didn’t consult any body for the selection of Principal Officers of his council and appointment of supervisors. After all these extension of olive branch, the House of Assembly member is yet to be pacified. What else does he want? He boasted that he will rubbish the administration of Ifeanyi Madu because his preferred candidate didn’t make it beyond primary election. He is seeking to achieve these by infliterating the council will his stooges. He has been treated fairly, what else does he really want?
He has reported the Executive Executive chairman to the party at state and LGA level. He also reported to Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly two times, and at all of which the chairman had proven his fairness to him. When he didn’t succeed in armtwisting the sympathy of Mr speaker, he proceeded to DSS. Why all these desperation? What does Okey Igwe want from our bridge-building chairman?
When power becomes arrogant, history must remind it of its limitations.
Hon. Tobias Egeonu
Public Affairs Commentator and Political Analyst.
NEWS
Christine Fajigbesi Celebrates Alhaja Ganiyat Balogun With Heartfelt Birthday Tribute
Ms. Christine Ijeoma Fajingbesi has celebrated Alhaja Ganiyat Balogun on her birthday, describing her as more than a friend, but a sister, mentor and a woman whose kindness has made a lasting impact on her life.
Speaking during the celebration, Ms. Christine said the Balogun family has been exceptionally good to her, adding that words alone cannot adequately express how much she loves and appreciates Alhaja Ganiyat.
She described the celebrant as a special person whose presence in her life is deeply valued, expressing gratitude for the love, care and support she has received from the family.
According to her, as Alhaja Ganiyat begins another chapter of her life, her greatest prayer is that God will continue to bless everything she does, elevate her to greater heights, promote her in every area of life and grant her the desires of her heart.
Ms. Christine further wished her friend and sister many more years of happiness, peace, good health, prosperity and fulfilment.
Earlier, Alhaja Ganiyat Balogun expressed profound gratitude to Allah for the gift of another year, reflecting on the journey that brought her to the present moment.
In a heartfelt message, she thanked Allah for seeing her through every hurdle, difficult season and challenging moment that tested her strength. She acknowledged that there were times when she felt weak, but said Allah continually gave her the strength to move forward and the grace to reach another milestone in her life.
She expressed deep appreciation for the gift of life, divine protection, mercy and guidance, thanking Allah for never allowing her to walk alone.
“Ya Allah, thank You for keeping me and allowing me to witness another beautiful year,” she said in gratitude.
As she begins this new chapter, Ms. Christine prayed that Alhaja Ganiyat’s life would be filled with peace, continuous growth, genuine happiness and countless blessings.
The celebration was therefore not only a birthday milestone, but also a heartfelt expression of love, gratitude and appreciation for a woman whose impact has touched the lives of those around her.
NEWS
Love, Gratitude and a Long Awaited Surprise: Mrs. Precious Chidinma Nzeribe Celebrates Husband
Mrs. Precious Chidinma Nzeribe on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, pulled off a heartfelt surprise birthday celebration for her husband, describing the experience as both challenging and deeply rewarding.
According to Mrs. Nzeribe, planning the surprise was particularly difficult because she and her husband are extremely close and practically share every aspect of their lives. She explained that they normally plan and do things together, making it difficult to keep anything from him without raising suspicion.
“We always do things together and plan together. There is practically nothing we don’t share in common, so it was difficult for me to surprise him. But I thank God I was able to succeed,” she said emotionally.
Speaking with journalists during the celebration, Mrs. Nzeribe revealed that the surprise was not a spontaneous idea but one she had conceived and attempted several times over the years without success.
She explained that despite the challenges and circumstances that had prevented her from bringing the idea to reality in previous years, she was determined to make this year’s celebration happen.
She described her husband as a man who has been exceptionally loving, supportive and selfless, saying his impact on her life cannot be measured.
“He has been more than nice to me. He has carried me more like a child. He is practically the air I breathe. Everything I do is him, and how far I have gone is largely because of him. I think he deserves this and much more.”
Describing the qualities she admires most in her husband, Mrs. Nzeribe said he possesses a genuinely kind heart and is a devoted husband and father who consistently puts the needs of others before his own.
She noted that his willingness to sacrifice for others and his concern for people’s wellbeing are among the qualities that make him exceptional.
“He is a very nice person. He has a very good heart. He is a good father to his children and a good husband. He is the kind of person who prioritises other people’s needs, sometimes even above his own,” she said.
As she celebrated her husband, Mrs. Nzeribe offered heartfelt prayers for his future, asking God to bless him with many more years of life, good health, financial prosperity and every good thing he deserves.
She also prayed that God would reward him abundantly for the countless ways he has been a blessing not only to her and their family, but also to people who may never have been able to repay his kindness.
“I wish him many blissful years ahead. I pray that God will bless him financially and health wise and give him every good thing in life. The way he has been a blessing to me and to other people he has never known, I pray that God will bless him in the same way and even more.”
The celebration ultimately became more than a birthday surprise, it was a touching expression of love, gratitude and appreciation from a wife to a husband she considers her greatest support system.
For Mrs. Nzeribe, the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate not just another year in her husband’s life, but the man whose love, sacrifice and unwavering support have played a significant role in her journey.
NEWS
Henry Onyema Madubuike Unveils “Osiri,” a Novel Exploring Ancestral Heritage, Reincarnation and Cultural Identity
Renowned author Henry Onyema Madubuike has released Osiri, a novel that explores the profound relationship between a people’s origins, their ancestral covenant with the supernatural, and the enduring mysteries of incarnation and reincarnation.
The novel presents a compelling narrative that examines how the choices and agreements made by ancestors continue to shape the identity, destiny and collective consciousness of future generations. Through rich storytelling, Osiri invites readers to reflect on the enduring influence of ancestral heritage and the spiritual foundations upon which societies are built.
Beyond its exploration of spirituality and cultural traditions, Osiri delves into universal themes of love, life, death and rebirth. The novel portrays these experiences as interconnected aspects of human existence, illustrating how relationships, sacrifices and enduring bonds transcend generations.
A central theme of the book is the significance of intimacy and human connection, emphasizing the role of love and relationships in sustaining families, communities and cultural continuity. It also highlights how ancestral values and traditions continue to shape social structures, preserve historical narratives and define the identity of a people.
According to the author, Osiri seeks to inspire readers to appreciate the importance of cultural heritage while provoking deeper reflection on the spiritual dimensions of existence and humanity’s connection to its past.
Through its blend of history, culture, spirituality and compelling storytelling, Osiri offers readers an engaging literary experience that celebrates African traditions while raising timeless questions about destiny, identity and the enduring influence of ancestral covenants.
“Osiri is a novel that delves into the intricate connections between a people’s foundation, their ancestors’ covenant with the supernatural and the realms of incarnation and reincarnation.
Exploring themes of love, life death and rebirth, it reflects also the deep-rooted importance of the bond of intimacy.
It also explores the idea that a people’s identity and destiny are tied to their ancestors’ agreement with supernatural forces, preserving historical narratives, cultural practices and social structure and the importance of ancestral heritage.” — Henry Onyema Madubuike
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