Prior to his appointment as minister of culture and tourism, he served as Nigeria's ambassador to Greece[1] and was also a one time Chairman (1994–1996) of his local government council, Ikwo.

His appointment as chairman (mayor) of Ikwo Local Government shot him into the political lime light and he has continued to be a proponent of youth development in his state.

On August 28, 2010, during the traditional marriage of his oldest daughter, Nnenna Ogbuewu, the Ambassador announced his intention to vie once again, for the office of governor in his home state of Ebonyi but this time, under a different party.

Ogbuewu took his campaign to every nook and cranny of his LGA but his efforts were soon stopped as the electoral process was circumvented by the then military administration of late General Sani Abacha in 1993.

In 2006, Ambassador Ogbuewu resigned his position as Nigeria's minister of culture and tourism to contest the 2007 gubernatorial election in Ebonyi State under the umbrella of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

It is on record that Ogbuewu was the only candidate who refused to step down and accept a sole candidacy of Chief Elechi at the primaries held in the township stadium, Abakaliki.

In 2008, after an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, Ambassador Ogbuewu expressed interest in the Peoples Democratic Party's national chairmanship position that was zoned to the south eastern states of Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Enugu.