By Our Reporter
A leading contender for the traditional stool of Ndiowu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Chibuzo Okekeifi, has outlined the motivations behind his decision to vie for the revered position.
He cited passion for community development, integrity, and decades of service to his people.
Okekeifi, a retired businessman with over 40 years of professional experience in the United States, said his aspiration to become the Eze of Ndiowu is driven by a deep desire to restore unity, stability, and sustainable development in the community, which he believes has suffered prolonged leadership vacuum and internal divisions.
According to him, his track record of service, character, and pedigree—well known to many indigenes at home and in the diaspora—uniquely position him to provide purposeful leadership if given the mandate.
“I am based in the United States until last year. My wife and I are now retired and have relocated home to contribute our quota to the development of Ndiowu,” Okekeifi said.
“I grew up in this community during the war and also experienced Ndiowu when it was peaceful and united.”
He traced the history of traditional leadership in the community, noting that his grandfather, Chief Okekeifi, was an Eze in the early 1900s, and that Ndiowu had no traditional ruler until 1976 when Chief Onwubiko was selected.
11 years vacuum
The community, he said, has been without a substantive monarch for about 11 years following the death of the last Eze.
“That vacuum has posed serious challenges to Ndiowu,” he said.
“I never initially planned to contest, but I was approached by many respected stakeholders both in Nigeria and in the United States, who encouraged me to step forward because they know my character and what I stand for.”
Okekeifi is a founding member of Ndiowu North America, an association he said has grown into a formidable diaspora body recognised by authorities in the United States.
He served as its president for over 15 years and maintained strong ties with the community, returning home regularly to participate in development initiatives.
“I have never been involved in partisan politics in my life. This is the first time I am stepping into something like this,” he stressed.
“But things have gone wrong in this community for too long. Many good people have become tired and withdrawn.
“I believe if everyone washes their hands off the problems, who then will fix them?”
Projects initiated
He listed several projects he has supported or initiated in Ndiowu, including the provision of solar power systems, scholarships for 47 students, youth skills acquisition programmes, and the revival of health centres through the Ndiowu North America platform.
“By this year, all three health centres in the community will be fully functional,” he disclosed.
“We also have one of the best-organised community security systems around, with over 20 communication gadgets, surveillance cameras at virtually all entry points, and necessary equipment to ensure safety.”
However, Okekeifi alleged that his candidacy has been opposed by what he described as a cartel or cabal within the community, which he claimed is determined to maintain control over existing structures.
“These groups believe they own the community and see my candidacy as a threat,” he said. “The so-called protest that trended on social media was stage-managed.
A section of gathering
“What people saw was only a section of the gathering. Another section where people insisted the election must hold was deliberately excluded.”
He further alleged attempts to frustrate the election process and disqualify him, despite emerging top during the screening exercise conducted by the committee.
“I thank the Soludo-led administration, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and other officials who have taken time to understand what is happening in Ndiowu,” Okekeifi said.
He added that stakeholders were advised to embrace peace and set aside a controversial constitution to allow the state to oversee a credible process.
Calling for unity, Okekeifi appealed to aggrieved persons to sheath their swords and work together for the progress of Ndiowu, pledging an open-door leadership style if elected.
“No clique owns this community. Ndiowu belongs to everyone,” he said. “There is no slave and no master here. I am prepared to be an Eze for all, not for a select few.”
He assured that any support from the state government would be judiciously used for the collective interest of the people, stressing that his motivation is service, not personal gain.
“God has blessed my family. My children are doing well. All we want now is to return home and help fix our community,” he said.
Okekeifi also announced plans to launch a foundation aimed at expanding educational support, including doubling the current scholarship beneficiaries to at least 100 students.
“No child who desires tertiary education should be denied that opportunity because of lack of resources,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive development in Ndiowu.
