OKOROCHA, OBIANO, AND THEIR FANS
The last time I checked, the governors from
Imo and Anambra states in the persons of Chief Rochas Okorocha and Chief Willie
Obiano respectively, were observing what could best be described as ‘political
cocktail’. A cocktail may be an alcoholic drink containing several recipes such
as a Champagne cocktail, or something which is made by combining a number of
different things such as a Shrimp cocktail.
The
said cocktail was occasioned by a political talk made by Governor Okorocha
during the get-together organized by the leadership of the South-East All
Progressives Congress (APC) which took place in Owerri, the Imo State Capital –
precisely at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) – few weeks ago. In
that event, Gov. Okorocha categorically claimed or foresaw that three governors
from the said zone would soon decamp to the ruling APC.
The governor went further to state that
the APC’s leadership was going to use the forthcoming Anambra election to show
that APC has arrived South-East. In an abrupt reaction to the claim, the
Anambra governor, Chief Obiano having let out various tantrums concluded that Gov.
Okorocha was ‘what a leader should not be’.
Thereafter, the Imo governor, in
response to his counterpart’s reaction, challenged him through his Chief Press
Secretary Sam Onwuemedo to publish his achievements in Anambra State while he
(Okorocha) publishes his, so that, they would draw a holistic comparison right
before the public. According to Gov. Okorocha, Chief Obiano had not actualized
anything since he assumed duty as the governor of his state, thus did not
deserve to call him names let alone ‘what a leader should not be’. He further
disclosed that Chief Obiano could not withstand him when it calls for
leadership prowess or accomplishments.
The
pandemonium did not stop there. The Anambra governor continued, without much
ado, from where his counterpart applied the brake. These altercations have
undoubtedly generated a lot of ripples cum counter-reactions within the socio-political
shores of the concerned zone (South-East) and beyond. Owing to this level of
bitterness, many have paused to reason if these two governors were really in
charge of sister states. One may wonder if there were personal grievances they
had been nurturing prior to the emergence of the ongoing bickering.
It’s
noteworthy that the misunderstanding, political though, had brought deep
division among their respective fans. Their fans now walk round the streets cum
major roads constituting social nuisance all in the name of protecting the
interest of their role models. This set of fans and well-wishers had ceased to
maintain decorum in their day-to-day exchange of bitterness in the public
domain. Most of them, in most cases, resort to engaging in physical combat each
time they presume that oral disagreement is not enough.
It’s
pertinent to acknowledge that this critique is informed by the need to brief
the ‘warring’ governors, and of course their various fans, on what they need to
know as well as what is expected of them at such a time like this. Those of you
whom have been following my writing style would strongly attest to the obvious
fact that I don’t tender an analysis to eulogize anyone; rather, to appraise
facts. In other words, I don’t write to please anybody or to satisfy his/her
urge, but to speak the truth. I’ve attracted countless enemies as a result of
such style of writing; on the contrary, I’ve equally gotten good and reliable
friends and fans in view of that. Whatever the case might be, the point remains
that I can never be deterred because I was called into this profession by the
supremacy. Hence, my paramount interest is that of whom that sent me.
I want to begin by saying that Gov.
Obiano made an overstatement. He was completely wrong by telling the general
public that his counterpart was not what a leader ought to be. The statement or
forecast released by Gov. Okorocha didn’t in any way call for such manner of
outburst. The response wasn’t just childish but irrational. There were several
other suitable ways he would have responded to the claim. After all, in
politics, politicians are bound to employ sound tactics towards luring those in
the opposition to their party. A politician who fails to properly market or
advertise his/her goods is deeply in trouble. Read my lips.
Moreover, Gov. Okorocha didn’t mention
the name of any particular governor in the speech. To this end, one may wonder
why Gov. Obiano decided to take it personal whilst his counterparts from the
other affected states – including Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi – chose to ignore the
speech. Rather than reacting directly to the subject matter, Chief Obiano
thought it wise to attack the personality of the speaker. That was indeed a
discredit to his person.
However, I would have appreciated Gov.
Okorocha if silence was used to reply his counterpart. I didn’t expect him to
respond to such attack, which was conspicuously inconsequential. Every rational
being noted the Chief Obiano’s attack as uncalled for and illogical, thus Gov.
Okorocha would have considered ignoring it. In most cases, silence remains the
apt and best way to address an issue, especially a very sensitive one of this
kind. Sometimes, the way we react to an attack contributes in ridiculing our
personality. The truth is, not every question deserves an answer, and so does
an attack. Some questions, likewise attacks, are rhetorical.
Even if it is not just a verbal attack
but an assault, we ought to endeavour to know when to be silent and when to
utter a word, since it is widely accepted that ‘two wrongs do not make a
right’. As much as I appreciate Gov. Okorocha for his political uniqueness, I
as well want to inform him that I was not pleased by the manner in which he
handled the matter. It’s even mind-boggling when realized that the leaders in
question are from neighbouring states.
Now, they are not the only ones involved in
the lingering melodrama, but their teeming fans. My candid pity goes to those
fans, because they do not comprehend the rudiments of politics; because they
are yet to realize that in politics, people have to disagree to agree; because
they don’t know that the two warring persons are not enemies but two staunch
politicians who intended to attract the public towards their personalities;
because they are not aware that the two leaders would soon reconcile in a
dramatic – and perhaps interesting – way, thereby making them (the fans) seem
not unlike mere morons.
Politics
is a very funny, intriguing, but confusing profession that those who are into
it are required to be very creative and inspiring toward ensuring that they
remain relevant in the game. Against this backdrop, they are invariably ready
to create any form of scene just to ensure that they are not found in a state
of oblivion. Hence, it’s so pathetic that the onlookers or admires to this game
and its players aren’t aware of the intrigue that accompanies it.
How can you be drinking Panadol for
someone else’s headache? Stay away from their misunderstandings, for they know
how to disagree as well as how and when to settle. Think about it!
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