By Ori Martins
I would have completely ignored the current infantile social media attack targeted against Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, but for the involvement of two prominent Mbaise personalities mischievously associated with the ongoing ill tailored slings on the former governor of Imo State.
The sponsors and spin doctors of these disjointed, carelessly scripted and recklessly circulating social media missiles are not well informed. In spite of their failed attempts of employing two great, worthy Mbaise wards., Prof Edward Oparaoji and Prof Uzodinma Nwala, to legitimatize their dirty deals, they still did not get their acts right. Their prose was sorrowfully porous., their argument pathetically hollow while their delivery lacked tact – unconvincing.
The case here is very clear and even a toddler can detect these agents of darkness’ anger and frustration. Of course, they are aware that they cannot measure Ihedioha’s political capacity, reach and tentacles. They had at one time or the other confronted him and he towered head and shoulders above them. Even recently, they were among the marauders who attempted to cause a political putsch by disingenuously plotting to take over Ihedioha’s structure in Imo State. But they were consumed in the crossfire they fanned.
Therefore, upon being informed that Ihedioha was holding town hall meetings overseas, they miserably colluded to open their machine gun at him. Unfortunately for them, their piping pins failed abysmally.
The charge they brought against Ihedioha was in two folds to wit: he is going contrary to the avowed Mbaiseness of Mbaise., that he never supported Peter Obi during the PDP presidential primary election even as he is in London now campaigning against the former Anambra State governor. In all practical purposes, these charges are both infantile and senseless as they hold no water at all.
The fact is that, except, perhaps, the legendary and iconic late music maestro Dr/Sir Warrior of the Oriental Brothers International fame, no other Mbaise, dead or alive, has promoted or bought up Mbaise as a nation to the outer world in positivity more than Ihedioha. As the deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015, Ihedioha, then a presiding officer, brought honour and glory not just to Mbaise but also to Imo State, South East and Ndigbo in general. While his huge contributions to the growth and development of constitution, constitutionalism., and bills that brought about massive infrastructural execution may not be necessary to be recapped here, it must be stated that, in all his 12 years sojourn as a legislator, Ihedioha, till date, has never been questioned, named, mentioned or dragged about by any law enforcement agency in the country. That is, he not corrupt. He has no skeleton in his cupboard. This record is immaculate as well as it is unparalleled!!! Certainly, this nationally acclaimed impeccable track record attracks envy by Ihedioha’s political peers and it is quite understandable.
His seven/eight months stewardship as governor of Imo State was quite super and superb. He proved that Imo could fly again. He was balanced in his appointments based on merit, capacity and they covered the three geo political zones. As a matter of fact, Ihedioha delivered and Imo people still love him for it. Again, the executioners who succeeded him are still searching for what they could lay their hands on to nail him. But they cannot because he was honest and sincere.
The second charge was on Obi. Yes. Peter Obi. Most of us are very much aware that Ihedioha had made all necessary preparations to receive Obi while he was still campaigning for the presidency on the platform of PDP. However, the saying that man proposes while God disposes, take the front bench. It was most unfortunate. Obi came to Imo without Ihedioha coming out to receive him. Moments later, Sokoto governor was here and Ihedioha was on hand to receive him. It will take a disciplined mind, a godly conscience and a trained soul to take it that Ihedioha planned to receive Obi but couldn’t because of unforseen circumstances. It was an unfortunate situation that could happen to anyone. You can take it, you can leave it.
The second leg here was that Ihedioha travelled all the way to London to bring down Obi so as to elevate Atiku Abubaka. This is really laughable. For those who know Ihedioha and how he plays his politics, he is never a public showman – he never does things for applause. Ihedioha believes in processes and procedures. That is, why should Ihedioha go to London at this particular time to campaign for Atiku when the time for this is still ahead? For now, Ihedioha remains a PDP chief and not Atiku’s campaign manager or director – he can be tomorrow.
By the way, why have the sponsors of these ruthless allegations not come up with video clips of Ihedioha camping for Atiku in London? The man who said he came to his church to preach Atikulation, why is it difficult for him to ply the video tapes of where Ihedioha was doing what he claimed? You see, you can deceive a blind man about oil not being in a food, you cannot do so when it comes to salt as he will feel it himself.
This insult against an innocent man must stop. Ihedioha is a true Mbaise son of the soil. A patriotic Imo, a good Igbo and a Nigerian star!
