Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
It was a gathering of who-is-who in the political arena, and a political carnival of sorts when the remains of late former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, were laid to rest in his country-home, Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
Political associates, benefactors and beneficiaries, friends and well wishers from across political divides and all walks of life competed for recognition.
Some of the eminent personalities at the event were the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Darlington Nwokocha representing Abia Central; former Vice President and the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, represented by Col. Austin Akobundu.
Others were the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, represented by his Deputy, Professor Placid Njoku; Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Princess Patricia Obila; and a former National Chairman of PDP who succeeded Ogbulafor in office, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo; and Senator Chris Adighighje.
In the roll call also were a former Military Administrator of Kogi State, Col. Paul Omeruo (retd.); the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; former Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, Chief Empire Kanu; former Minister of State for Defense, Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi; and Senator Nkechi Nworgu.
The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe; his Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency counterpart, Hon. Obi Aguocha, among others were also at the event that almost passed for a political carnival.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia State, revealed how the late Ogbulafor encouraged him to join politics.
Otti who spoke during a requiem mass for the late Ogbulafor at the Holy Cross Catholic Church Olokoro, described Ogbulafor as a great Abian.
He recounted how Ogbulafor wooed him into politics while he was still a career banker.
“In 2009 when I was still in the banking sector, Chief Ogbulafor came to my house and told me that time had come for me to join politics. But I told him I first want to rise to the position of Managing Director.
“The next year, he sent the Chairman of the PDP in the state to come and register me into the party whether or not I liked it. Today, the rest is history. So, my political history cannot be complete without mentioning Chief.”
Otti who started his political career in the PDP in 2014 before finally settling in the Labour Party after stop overs in both the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; and the All Progressives Congress, APC, described Ogbulafor as a great achiever.
“It’s not how long but how well. Prince Ogbulafor left behind legacies. He has fought the good fight; and now he’s in a good place.”
The Abia Governor urged members of the deceased family to be comforted and emulate his good legacies.
Earlier in a homily, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Diocese, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, described death as an inevitable end, and urged people to live in readiness for death which comes most times unannounced.
He described Prince Ogbulafor as a great asset to humanity, lamenting that his death has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill any time soon.
The Archbishop urged the family to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived “a good life.”
Later in an interview the first son of the deceased, Uchenna Eze-Ogbulafor, described his father as “a complete gentle man” and a source of great inspiration.”
He said the family would dearly miss him but noted that they had taken solace in his legendary lifestyle.
Speaking also in an interview, Senator Nworgu described the late Ogbulafor as “a unifier” who played key role in unifying Abia PDP members in 2010.
“It was a great loss. Abia has lost a rare gem. We will miss him for his open mindedness. He helped in unifying Abia politicians. He brought former Governor T. A Orji into the PDP. I miss him so much.”
Senator Adighighje also described Ogbulafor as a great compatriot and brother who had made immense contribution for the development of the state.
He said that Olokoro clan, Abia State and Ndigbo had lost a great asset.
Ogbulafor died in Canada late 2022 at the age of 73 years.
