Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, a passionate spokesperson for Anambra South, did not hold back in criticizing Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra, for Flavour’s controversial decision to bury his father in Enugu rather than at his ancestral home in Anambra.
The burial of the well-known singer’s father, Benjamin Onyemaechi Okoli, turned into a heated dispute about local pride, with tongues wagging and eyebrows raised. Even though Flavour’s family roots are in Umunze, Orumba South LGA, Anambra, his decision to bury his father in Enugu sparked a flurry of rumors and finger-pointing, with overtones of politics bubbling beneath the surface.
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The event was graced by the colorful nightlife entrepreneur, Cubana Chief Priest, who said that the burial ceremony was originally scheduled to take place in Umunze, Anambra State. He did, however, reveal that Flavour decided to move the event to Enugu due to security issues in Anambra.
Through his media advisor Kamen Ogbonna, Ifeanyi Ubah issued a statement on Monday expressing concern for the “poor security” situation and accusing Chukwuma Soludo of neglecting to handle the matter in Umunze.
Ubah also publicly criticized Soludo, accusing him of interfering and saying that his actions have made it more difficult to address the region’s insecurity. Ubah apologized to Flavour and said he understood the bad circumstances behind his choice to have his father’s funeral held in Enugu.
“I apologise to Chinedu Okoli (Mr. Flavour) for missing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the life and time of his father in his hometown,” he said.
“I would have secured Orumba and the entire Anambra South senatorial district if the state government hadn’t stopped my security initiative, despite its success in the Nnewi Pilot program.
“The state government’s actions have left my constituents vulnerable to security threats, particularly in areas currently under siege by non-state actors, which would have been liberated by now. I will continue to advocate for the security and well-being of my people, despite the obstacles.
“In 2023, I launched the security initiative aimed to provide comprehensive security coverage for the Anambra South senatorial district.
“Following its success in Nnewi, plans were underway to expand the programme to Orumba North and South, Aguata, Ihiala, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo. However, the state government’s interference halted the initiative’s progress, introducing politics into security matters and prioritizing the governor’s second-term bid over the welfare of the people.
“We used a combination of artificial intelligence, local intelligence, walkie-talkies, and 4G High Definition CCTV security networking systems to achieve this.
“The state government’s actions have left my constituents vulnerable to security threats, particularly in areas currently under siege by non-state actors, which would have been liberated by now. I will continue to advocate for the security and well-being of my people, despite the obstacles.”
The drama surrounding the burial of Flavour’s father serves as a reminder of how difficult it is to navigate Nigerian culture nowadays. It is crucial for leaders to preserve the principles of tolerance, respect, and cultural sensitivity while the nation struggles with changing social dynamics and political shifts. Stakeholders must work to create an atmosphere where cultural variety is valued and appreciated in the spirit of harmony and respect for one another. Nigeria can ensure that its rich cultural history endures for future generations by embracing communication and cooperation and creating a future in which tradition and modernity coexist together.