For sometimes now, we have been treated with a macabre dance of the absurd in God’s own state with an innocent visit to a former governor of the state, now Senator of the Federal Republic, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji. The charismatic Kalu who was hurled into prison for alleged embezzlement of Abia money when he was governor of the state, was recently released by an act of the Judiciary which saw a loophole in the initial conviction. But Kalu’s prison release was to ignite one of the remarkable Igbo spirit that was lacking in the group since Nigeria’s amalgamation. The Igbo spirit of “Onye aghala nwanneya” suddenly resurfaced. Kalu’s Abuja and Igbere residences became a sort of pilgrimage for both friends and foes. The Rochas Okorocha’s, Hope Uzodinma’s, Ochendo Theodore Orji, were the early callers. So too are numerous Igbo sons and daughters. Infact, Ochendo’s visit elicited emotional reactions.
He visited his old friend turned enemy at the Prison and worked tirelessly to facilitate Kalu’s eventual release. This gesture according to those who were privy to their many battles was like a dream. In the widest imaginations of those whose stock in trade is to peddle rumour and incite conflict, Ochendo’s visit to Uzor Kalu is akin to betrayal of those who had benefitted from the quarrels of the two former friends. But these fellows, being politicians, forget the first principle of politics: “no permanent friends, but permanent interests.” But why they are yet to overcome Ochendo’s audacity, “Ikuku” breezed in. Like his father, it was believed that the son will harbour eternal animosity against the Igbere born business mogul. But Chinedum Orji, the charismatic Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, the son of Ochendo, defiled all norms and payed an epoch making visit to his Senior brother, Uzor Kalu. Then Heaven was let loose. In homes and beer parlours, the gist is why Ikuku “did this”. As a supposedly chieftain of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, why did Junior Orji visit an opposition member. This is political harakiri and it is unforgivable. Curiosly, salvos were fired from the State’s Government House.
A Commissioner in Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s government took the gauntlet and waged an innocuous war on the hapless Speaker. And the Governor kept mute citing his incacerration by COVID-19 as an alibi. Ikpeazu couldn’t care less as his aides bombarded the son of his benefactor who dared all Abians to make sure that an Ngwa man succeeds him. It was the height of betrayals. But why Ikuku? Chinedum Orji’s visit to Uzor Kalu was interpreted to mean his alleged ambition to govern Abia State. That’s the crux of the matter. Of recent, the young man, despite his sterling performance as the Speaker, has been buffetted from all corners because of his growing popularity among Abia youths. They call him ” Ikuku muo nso” “the heir apparent.” From what one gleaned, Abians especially the youths love Ikuku and would love him to succeed Ikpeazu who he equally played a role in putting into office. Boxed mercilessly from all fronts, the young recently in an interview, cried out that he is not desperate to be Abia governor. Infact, his father, to save his son, called for a stakeholders meeting where it was arrived that the Bende axis should produce the next governor after Ikpeazu. But despite these measures, support for Ikuku continued to be massive and louder.
But why choose an innocent visit to play the devil’s advocate. Senator Uzor Kalu despite being a member of APC, is a bonafide indigene of Abia and a former governor at that. Not only that, his incacerration for alleged fraud, created much pain among Igbo nation. Many Igbo sons and daughters were devastated when Orji Uzor Kalu was imprisoned. So the joy and celebration at his release was spontaneous among Igbo people all over the world. Despite his shortcomings, Orji Uzor Kalu is still respected and highly revered in Igboland and Nigeria as well. He is still regarded as one of the leading lights in the South East region and Nigeria’s politics. I believe that the likes of Chinedum Orji looks up to him as a role model especially on his achievements in politics being the youngest governor Abia State had produced. Not only that, as the Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly, every Abian matters to him. All Abians are his
constituency. Politics apart, there is nothing wrong in visiting a dear brother who regained his freedom. Infact, rather than vilify him, Chinedum Orji should be commended for playing “politics without bitterness”. If a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye, we will all be blind. Chinedum Orji has shown a remarkable example of a leader. Whether he succeeds as Abia governor or not, he has shown that mental stability and courage expected of the 21st century politician and this cannot be taken away from him. We must learn to appreciate good brotherliness and accept that some were born great. If it is the lot of Abia people that Ikuku will lead them, no amount of campaign of calumny will stop it. God Almighty searches the hearts of people before entrusting leadership upon them. We must be our brothers keepers.
By Chuks Ofurum
The Mouthpiece on Nigerian Horn newspapers. 08103339217
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