By Kennedy Eweama
Chinua Acebe did say that “when a little bird is dancing on a lonely foot path, know that its drummer is the nearby bush”. Since the rash decision of Ugwumba Uche Nwosu to jump into the political fray on the prompting of his father in- law and out-going Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, and the subsequent political mishap which had greeted such over-ambitious dream, his image makers have been strenuously struggling to no avail to obfuscate the agonies the young man is passing through
My friend, Samuelson Iwuoha and one other clown and jester in their fold have been very dedicated in their paid assignment of re-painting Nwosu to make him appealing to Imo people. But already, the milk is spilled and there is nothing anybody can do about it. Imo people have passed their verdict and that is irrevocable. The people have spoken eloquently through the ballot on March 9, 2019 of their preference for a seasoned, tested and trusted administrator as exemplified in the Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
For me, those who urged Nwosu to embark on his governorship aspiration despite his inexperienced and naïve nature, should be held responsible for pushing him to his political Golgotha. His rejection by the people is an avid testimony to that fact. Despite the electoral manipulations Nwosu’s father in-law resorted to, in order to foist Nwosu on Imo people willy-willy, they still succumbed to the political fire power of Imolites.
Everybody knows that Nwosu did not really contest an election. He was just a pun in the hands of Okorocha; a kind of decoy whom the emperor wanted to use to actualize his third term ambition. Nwosu, should ordinarily have bowed out after amassing humongous wealth, having served his father in-law from the confines of his house as “boi-boi” to political office holder and ultimately, a de-facto Governor for eight years. Rather, he became intoxicated by power and over ambition like Macbeth written by William Shakespeare and chose to challenge Imo people to a political combat. He acted like the proverbial Nza bird “who after feeding fat from the benevolence of his personal god, thereafter challenged him to a combat”. What an affront!
For those who may not understand what am driving at, it might be imperative to acquaint you with the genealogy of this piece. Sometime last week, I authored an article titled, “ Before Uche Nwosu heads for tribunal”. It was an advice to the Governor’s son-in-law to jettison the futile idea of going to the tribunal to challenge the decision of Imo people to decide who leads them as governor from May 29, 2019. It was a harmless piece in all intent and purposes.
Before, I could say Jack Robinson, my friend, Samuel Iwuoha, obviously pressurized by Nwosu, fired a salvo at His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, drawing an illogical syllogism between him and Uche Nwosu. That was an intolerable insult on the Governor-elect and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives which I could not gloss over. I there and then, decided that I owe Samuelson and Nwosu a reply to further educate them without any charge, after all education is free in Imo State. I also don’t believe in hoarding knowledge.
Having set the stage, let me state that if impregnating a governor’s daughter is the only curriculum vitae to rising to stardom or prominence, it is not Rt. Hon Ihedioha’s style. Can same be said of Uche Nwosu? Is it not insane that a man who is morally bankrupt wants to rule Imo at all costs?
The Governor-elect is a decent and responsible family man, whose rise to prominence was by dint of hard work. He never cut corners or indulged in immoral affairs with any of his former principal’s daughters for cheap favours.
His Excellency has lived a life of service to humanity beginning with his appointment in 1992 as a Press Officer to the then Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu. This appointment was in recognition of his versatility and capacity as a publicist of immense abilities and a media person of known effectiveness.
Within three months of this appointment, he was elevated and re-assigned as Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Deputy Senate President, Albert Legogie. In 1995, after return to democratic rule again, Ihedioha was appointed Director of Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a major block that later formed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In July, 1999, he was appointed Special Assistant to Presidential Adviser on Utilities; November, 1999- Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Senate President; September, 2001 – Special Assistant on Political Matters to the then Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON.
Before these appointments, Ihedioha was a self made man having established his own Media and Public Relations outfit, First Page Communications with him as Chief Executive Officer (CEO
Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha was in the House of Representatives for twelve meritorious years from 2003 to 2015. During this period, he held several positions including Chairman of various sensitive Committees, Chief Whip, Deputy Speaker and Speaker. He also sponsored bills (now Acts) which are having tremendous positive impacts on Nigeria’s economy today. This is in addition to leading delegations to international conventions abroad which formed part of our nation’s laws through domestication.
Some of the bills sponsored by him include but not limited to : Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act, 2007, Merchant Shipping Act, 2007 etc. It is note worthy that Ihedioha played pivotal role in the legislature for the domestication of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, which ensured that Nigeria complied with global shipping standards. It is also on record that Ihedioha is the only presiding officer in the history of the National Assembly elected unopposed in 2011 by the 360 members of the House which cuts across various political divides and diverse religious, tribal and linguistics differences.
In the area of empowerment for Imo indigenes, Rt. Hon Ihedioha’s record remains unsurpassed by any legislator from Imo State till date. In my next piece, I will devote ample time to publish his empowerment programmes, the venues, dates and names of Imolites who are beneficiaries. The infrastructural projects he also attracted across the three geo-political zones of Owerri will be highlighted for record purposes.
That Ihedioha is a quiet leader, who considers reticence as a virtue despite his goodness does not mean that a millipede of yesterday who stumbled on ill gotten wealth should draw him into a comparative analysis. This is the bane of Ndigbo. We lack respect for our elders once there is small money in our pocket.
By the way, who is Uche Nwosu? He couldn’t even pass ordinary Civil Service examination in 2010 for the employment of 10,00 workers by former Governor Ikedi Ohakim. Little wonder, he couldn’t calculate what constitutes 25% of 2/3 of local government areas in Imo State in the March 9, 2019 governorship election.
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s appraise Nwosu’s profile in its proper perspective.
1. Impregnated and married Okorocha’s first daughter as first achievement in life.
2. As compensation for achieving the feat above which no one has ever done before in the South East Zone, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri.
3. To further confirm that his loyalty was not a hoax, he was appointed Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning after his wedding to the governor’s first daughter. Okorocha must be a smart man by first ensuring that his daughter is in safe hands.
4. His loyalty having been confirmed, he was now re-assigned as Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri and ultimately, the de-facto Governor, where his words were law.
5. Then driven by vaulting ambition and the desire to stand in for his father in –law in his third term bid by proxy, he opted to contest the Imo Governorship in 2019 without any previous experience whatsoever. The outcome, we all know.
I now ask my very good friend Samuel Iwuoha, how can you compare this upstart with a seasoned political technocrat and bulwark of democracy like Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha? Samuelson is not given to alcohol consumption or else I would have been tempted to believe he was under the influence of liquor when he did that. Samuelson is a thorough man. Am still wondering what went wrong with him in this circumstance.
It must be stated for emphasis that “because the butterfly flies that does not make it bird”. Uche Nwosu is a young man, whom I respect for his ability to maneuver his way into opulence but to now think of daring Rt. Hon Ihedioha is madness. Everything has limits.
Besides having worked for Okorocha, there is no other credential Nwosu can parade. Is operating from “the other room” to Government House, Owerri, a quality curriculum vitae for somebody who desires to govern Imo State? Imo Government House is not meant for toddlers, for pete’s sake.
Imo is also not a banana republic where anything goes. We are decent and enlightened. Okorocha was tolerated because Imo people imposed him on themselves. Now that the same people have opted for a positive change, why won’t Nwosu go home quietly and enjoy his money as I advised earlier? He must realize that if he continues to bring ant infested faggots into his house, the lizards will certainly continue to visit him
Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha is not Uche Nwosu’s match or mate and shall NEVER be. Anybody contemplating such idea needs psychiatric examination. And the earlier Nwosu and his men realize this, the better it will be for them.
*Eweama, a veteran media consultant, wrote in from Owerri, the Imo State capital.
