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The Awkunanaw Clan, comprising 22 autonomous communities across Enugu South and Nkanu West Local Government Areas of Enugu State, has endorsed the governorship ambition of Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election.
The endorsement was made by elders and thousands of indigenes of the clan at a gathering held at their ancestral home, Ihuani Okunano, Ndi Uno Obuoffia, where the elders presented Ohaa with the traditional Ofo and pledged their support for his governorship bid.
The communities that make up the clan include Omuoha, Amechi Obuoffia, Ndi Uno Obuoffia, Amangwu, Ndi Agu Obuoffia, Amegu Akegbe, Attakwu, Obeaghu, Akegbe Ugwu (Okwuo), Umuatugbuoma, Umueze, Amechi Uwani, Amechi Uno, Amechi, Ugwuaji, Obegu Ugwuaji, Akwuke, Akwuke Uwani, Amodu Okowo, Okpebe, Obeagu and Obeagu Uno.
The elders, led by the oldest man in the clan, 104-year-old Chief Emmanuel Onovo of Akegbe Ugwu (Okwuo), commended Ohaa for his public service record and philanthropic activities and prayed for his success in the 2027 election.
They cited several community projects attributed to Ohaa, including the construction of the Akpasha Town Hall, which serves as a meeting venue for the Awkunanaw Clan.
Explaining the significance of the ceremony, Onovo said the Ofo represented a spiritual link between the living, ancestors and God, while serving as a symbol of legitimacy and divine support for the recipient.
Also speaking, Chief Mark Ngene, 98, a former director in the Enugu State Local Government System and a prominent voice in the clan, described Ohaa as a trusted son of the Igbo people whose record in public service had earned him the confidence of the community.
Ngene said the presentation of the Ofo amounted to a traditional declaration of confidence in Ohaa’s governorship ambition.
Receiving the Ofo, Ohaa thanked the elders and members of the clan, as well as NDC candidates and supporters who attended the event.
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He described the presentation as the beginning of his campaign for the 2027 election and said the traditional endorsement had strengthened his determination to contest and win the governorship election.
“What you just witnessed today, the 19th day of August 2026, marking the commencement of electioneering campaign for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, is the gifting of the victory baton, traditionally called Ofo in Igbo land, given to my humble self by the Awkunanaw Clan, led by the Council of Elders, the traditional Ofo custodians, aka ji Ofo, of the 22 autonomous communities of the clan,” Ohaa said.
He recalled that former Anambra State Governor, Jim Nwobodo, received the same Ofo from the Awkunanaw elders in 1979 during preparations for the governorship election, which he subsequently won.
Ohaa also cited the presentation of the Ofo to Senator Ken Nnamani in 2005 when he contested the position of President of the Senate, noting that Nnamani also emerged victorious.
“With this Ofo, I am now fully prepared to go for the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State and win seamlessly, to the glory of God,” he said.
Several NDC chieftains and candidates for the 2027 elections attended the ceremony, including the deputy governorship candidate, Chief Frank Omeje; Enugu West Senatorial candidate, Chief Chinedu Ene; and House of Representatives candidates Dr John Nwokeabia, Dr Hilary Onyishi, popularly known as Ikemba, Hon. El-shaddai Chinemerem Ike and Barr. Fide Ani.
The House of Assembly candidate for Enugu South Urban Constituency, Mrs Ngozi Agbo, was also present.
Other party figures at the event included former Enugu State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Emeka Okeke; former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Chief Kentus Eze; former member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Emeka Madu; former APC chieftain and FAAN director, Chief Hycinth Ngwu; former NEWMAP Managing Director, Dr Vincent Obeta; and former Nkanu Local Government Area Chairman, Dr Anthony Okenwa-Ani.
