As the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor was committed to mother earth at his hometown, Obuohia-Itaja, in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State, political gladiators across party lines, stormed the state to pay their last respect to a political bigwig who they said unified politics in Abia state and Nigeria at large.
The Requiem Mass which took place at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ahiaukwu Olokoro, had the presence of the 2023 PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, represented by the PDP Abia Central Senatorial candidate, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), the Governor of the State, Dr Alex Otti, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Placid Njoku, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, the senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Sen Darlington Nwokocha, the Senator for Abia South District, Distinguished Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen Chris Adighije, Sen Nkechi Nwogu, the
Member representing Isialangwa North/South Federal Constituency, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, his Ikwuano-Umuahia colleague, Hon Obi Aguocha, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, the Deputy Speaker ABHA ,Rt. Hon Austin Mmeregini, one time PDP Governorship Aspirant, Chief Okoro Omerekpe, past and present Abia Lawmakers, former Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders among others.
In an interview with the Press, the former Senator representing Abia Central, Sen Chris Adighije, described the demise of the late Prince Ogbulafor as tragic and shocking,stating that by the rule of the game, which he had earlier discussed with the deceased while he was alive, that when he(Adighije) goes down, he (Ogbulafor) should stand in and take charge, not knowing that it would be the other way round.
Sen Adighije lamented that he has lost someone so close to him, saying that his heart is in grief, as he lack words to describe the late Vin.
In his view, the Senator representing Abia South District, Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the late Prince Vincent Ogbulafor was a friend, brother, colleague and a compatriot, whose style of politics created a unifying force among political players in Abia and beyond, describing him as a man of peace,who never had a bone of hatred for anyone, but related with everyone regardless of party affiliations.
According to Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe, the late Prince Vincent Ogbulafor never had any disagreement with anyone, adding that if he did at any time, he would quickly make peace and embrace the person involved, praying God to accept his soul.
Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor
For the two time Senator and one time House of Representatives member, Sen Nkechi Nwogu, who couldn’t stop recounting the several contributions of Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor to her political career, said she specifically left Abuja to attend the burial based on who and what the Late Ogbulafor was to her, expressing sadness, that the political enigma left at 73.
Narrating her relationship with the late political stalwart, Sen Nwogu hinted that the late Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, played a significant role in her political party participation as far back as 1991-1993, stressing that her first appointment as a member of the Abia State Economic Advisory Board under Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, was only made possible through the help of the late Ogbulafor, recounting that, that particular appointment, launched her into the political arena.
She expressed deep emotions, stating that the late Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, would be missed for his leadership character, open mindedness, forthrightness and his ability to unify party members,as well as, form a strong force for his party, pointing how he helped in bringing Sen T.A Orji to PDP back in the days.
Sen Nwogu, further prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest, while she wished the late Prince Vincent Ogbulafor had stayed more twenty years.
Recall that the late Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor OFR, was born on the 24th of May,1949 and died on October 6, 2022.
The Ugwumba of Olokoro was a Nigerian prominent politician, distinguished statesman, business icon, economist and political scientist, an egalitarian and a philanthropist who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the nation’s
economic development, democracy, and unity. An administrator per excellence, who devoted his life of selfless service and charity to
humanity, without compromising his faith in God.
He was a man of great humility, who showed respect to all, irrespective of age and class. He held various public offices at different times, at both state and national levels. Born to the humble family of His Royal Highness, Late Eze J. J. Ogbulafor (the Uvuoma 1 of Olokoro) in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State.
During his lifetime, he was the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Minister for Economic and Special Projects, National Secretary of PDP, Abia State Commissioner for Works, Lands, Housing and Transport respectively, the Chairman of Federal Tenders Board, among other offices held.
