Oru East APC and Tussle for Supremacy

ORU EAST APC AND TUSSLE FOR SUPREMACY


Greetings brethren. I wish to commence with a candid question; have you ever wondered why the creator created both day and night? Well, if you’ve been preoccupied with such thought, I want to use this avenue to clear the air. God added night having created day with a view to ensuring that mankind would embrace a tangible rest having worked relentlessly all through the day; needless to say that, rest was initiated by God as a statutory obligation.

Thus, we all are meant to rest during the night. And it is noteworthy that such act known as ‘Rest’ remains inevitable irrespective of your status. Maybe you should take a look at someone who skipped his/her night rest, and ascertain if he/she is coping with the day. Significantly, one who missed his night rest can never concentrate during the subsequent day. This fact implies that no one cheats on nature; yes, you can never cheat nature, rather the reverse would take place.

This piece is targeted to discuss Oru East Local Government Council in respect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the ruling political party in Nigeria. I tell you categorically that currently there are names that cannot be left out while discussing Oru East APC, and such names include Chief Nathan Udogwu, Chief Chime Nzeribe, Dr Emma Ogbenta, Chief Augustine Onyedebelu, Barr Obinna Amagwula, Hon Osita Nnewuihe, Barr Nelson Ezerioha, Chief Nicholas Nkemdeme, Hon Nkenna Nzeruo, Chief Abu Nnanna, Hon (Mrs) Nma Nzeribe, Chief Bernard Nwanana, Chief Donatus Ejifugha, Chief Romanus Egbuladike, Hon Chidi Opurum, Hon Alphonsus Onwumere, Chief Robert Okuego, Prince Lasbery Okoroaforanyanwu, Chief Calistus Ugoeze, among others.

And, as far as Imo State is concerned, the last time I checked the bearers of the aforementioned names were invariably at the forefront of the state’s political terrain that no one would attempt to take any of them for granted for any reason whatsoever; those who are part and parcel of the Imo Politics can testify to this fact. It is also worthy to note that Oru East remains one of the hottest and most proactive LGAs whenever politics is discussed in Imo and beyond; therefore anything that affects the area would definitely affects the Eastern Heartland profoundly.

From my humble observation, one of the most challenges being faced by the aforesaid LGA is the issue of tussle for supremacy that is often witnessed among the said leaders which usually lead to creation of factions among them. Well, it is not weird or absurd to hear that such act exists between them considering their respective statuses. Of course such practice is not uncommon in any area/locality made up of men of timber and caliber or people of powerful reputations.

When Barr Obinna Amagwula came on board as the Transition Committee Chairman of the council, the first thing he made effort to achieve was to bring the men together regardless of their differences; though he tried actualizing his prime aim but it was to an extent. The young man put up every possible effort towards restoring unity in the area, and he was applauded by people like us for such giant and bold stride.

Even though the elections that were long awaited have successfully come and gone and what the electorate expect at this moment is nothing but governance since after politics comes governance, there are still many more elections to come in future. And we all are aware that there’s no politician that does not plan ahead of future polls unless he is just learning or new in the system/game. What I’m saying in essence is that every experienced politician would thrive toward ensuring that his men remain united come rain come shine.

Presently in Oru East, the reverse seems to be the case; what I see is self-centeredness. No one cares any more about the fate that awaits the LGA in future contrary to what was the case prior to the just concluded polls. It is no longer news that one of them in the person of Dr Emmanuel Ogbenta has left the party for elsewhere probably the PDP and apparently others feel less concern over the incident; rather than been disturbed, I learnt some of them are even rejoicing over the ordeal. It’s really ridiculous.

The other day, on Monday 25th of October 2015 precisely, I saw a publication with a bold headline on the cover page of the Whitepaper Newspaper that reads “APC members in Oru East celebrate Ogbenta’s exit from the party.” Doesn’t it sound irrational and absurd?

Having worked in Oru East as well as with some men of the APC, I think I have the needed knowledge about the area; I served as the Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity to the former TC-Chairman – Barr Amagwula till he left the office to pursue his political ambition; subsequently, I became the SA on Media and Public Affairs to the Commandant General of the Imo Civil Guard Corps – Chief Ejifugha who also hails from Oru East LGA. I tell you unequivocally that the said Dr Ogbenta is a name that rings bell or that can’t be overlooked whenever the Oru East political terrain is mentioned; thus, no one could say categorically that the exit of the man in question from the APC is not a big blow to the party if we must tell ourselves the gospel truth.

Besides, I know Dr Ogbenta to be a stronghold in the Rescue Mission. I can’t forget in a hurry the remark made by the Imo First Lady – Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha during one of her solidarity visits to Oru East; in the gathering while recognizing the leaders of the council, when her Excellency got to Dr Ogbenta, she described him as “the man who was with us when others thought it won’t work”; the rest is history. Suffice it to say that he had been with them (the Rescue Mission) from the onset right from when it was still inborn, even when the going was tough.

My paramount interest for coming up with this very piece is nothing but unity. I want the affected persons in Oru East to acknowledge that they are headed for nowhere if they are not together – united they would stand, divided they would surely fall. Thus I enjoin them to swallow their prides and grievances for the interest of oneness because that is the only way the council would remain great. As a bona-fide indigene of the area, I’m very much concerned over its future.

Everyone is supreme or a leader in his/her own capacity, thus it is preposterous and inconsequential to fight over whom becomes the ultimate leader or the most powerful in the area. Hence at this juncture, I urge the governor – Chief Rochas Okorocha who is the overall leader of the party in Imo State to candidly intervene in the matter as a matter of urgency with a view to closing ranks as well as making amends where necessary if he’s truly concerned over the future of the party.

I want to remind us once again that we can never cheat nature; instead the reverse would be the case. There are no two ways about it. Think about it!



COMR FRED NWAOZOR
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri

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