By Prof. Nathan Protus Uzorma
As a philosopher, I have long been expected to say something about the lineup of Imo governorship aspirants. The lineup is made up of men and women of values, those who think they can move mountains and those who in their understanding know very well that they cannot move any political ant.
Yes, I have long been expected to say something but my silence may have been misunderstood hence I have been accused by some for working in support of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, many say I am working for my friend Chief Barrister Ken Njamanze (SAN), while some are of the view that now Chief Ikedi Ohakim has joined the race I will abandon everybody to work for him. Few have accused me for working for Chief Ken Ojiri, Prof. Jude Njoku or Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.
In all these accusations, I have remained silent, knowing that The Reformer is what he is and like R.B Perry the great philosopher would say, “One can generally tell a man’s special field of investigation by the words which he uses carefully and the words he uses carelessly.” I have not in any way written anything to show my support for any person. I have not in any way show any special interest in any candidate to warrant anybody to either carelessly or carefully accuse me. I am still very much silent up to this moment. I love all the candidates I have seen but not all of them shall govern us.
Yes, I love all the candidates I have seen and shall consequently x-ray all their profiles to enable me place my value and choice very soon. A lot of Imo youths have consulted me on this issue and have continued to ask me, who do we follow? As the Mayor of Imo youths, I have not spoken but shall speak very soon even though the whole contenders know very much that I am a social critic and as a result may be afraid of identifying with me, that will not stop me from speaking out.
According to Ayn Rand, “Integrity does not consist of loyalty to ones subjective whims, but of loyalty to rational principles.” I shall be rational in my choice because my philosophical godfather Plato had advised, “The greatest ignorance is when a man hates that which he nevertheless thinks to be good and noble, and loves and embraces that which he knows to be unrighteous and evil.”
Following the above, I shall endeavour to be objective in my analysis of all the Imo governorship aspirants because I love them all. The best among them, I shall support no matter who he is. Imo is in another round of making a choice that will make or mar us; therefore, we shall be wise in making a choice no matter the zone. Okigwe zone is agitating to be given another four years while Owerri zone is saying that 2015 governor is their natural inheritance because they have been denied of it for many years. Orlu zone is also insisting that Imo guber is a free thing that any qualified person can join and test his popularity. The argument is endless.
A lot of personalities have emerged from Okigwe zone in order to consolidate their agitation for another four years. Among them are, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Dr Julius Kpaduwa and others. We know Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Chief Ikedi Ohakim but who is Dr Julius Kpaduwa?
The question “who is Dr Julius Kpaduwa” Is not aimed at vilifying the personality of Dr Julius Kpaduwa in any way. “Generation to come will scarce believe that such a person walked the earth in flash and blood.” These words were said by Albert Einstein, the world’s greatest scientist and noble laureate, for Mahatma Gandhi. In the same vein, I would not have known Dr Julius Kpaduwa if not because of the forth coming general election in 2015. Dr Julius Kpaduwa entry into the guber race has not changed the Okigwes agitation of having the state chief executive from their extraction just for only four years.
Like I said, I shall x-ray all contenders in the race of Imo guber in 2015 because one of them must emerge after my assessment. Back to Dr Julius Kpaduwa’s case, the first time I goggled him I made some amazing discoveries. While in a political discussion with a friend, he gave me the profile of Dr. Julius containing his agenda for Imo people one of the things that caught my attention was the letter he wrote to his friend and neighbours.
In the well worded letter, Dr Julius Kpaduwa wrote, “… I’m running for Governor of Imo state because I care deeply about our state and our people. I hail from Ezike in the local government area of Isiala Mbano. From a young age I was inculcated in the values of our community, fairness, entrepreneurism, and the notion that everybody deserves a chance. After the Biafra war I moved to the United States, where I became a doctor and ran a successful business, but I never forgot where I came from. I became the Chairman of the Board of Director’s for Imo State Teaching Hospital Orlu, and became the President of the Association of Nigerian Physician in America. I additionally served as Chairman of the Nigerian Democracy Taskforce.
The letter continues, “Every year I organized medical mission to Imo state, and over the years our mission has treated over 20,000 patients. Imo state has many great resources, but its greatest resource is its people. With good governance, we have the potential to turn our state into something truly special-into the Taiwan of Africa …On July 13 th 2002, a band of assassins declared that they had come to put an end to my governorship aspirations, shot me, and left me for dead. Today, my resolve is only stronger because of that. I care too much about Imo state to back down. Please join me, and let’s make our state the prosperous land that I know it can become…” Chief Ohakim and Senator Araraume we know, who is Dr. Julius Kpaduwa?
The answer to who Dr Julius kpaduwa is, is conspicuous in the above letter. From my research on the profile of Dr. Julius Kpaduwa, I finally discovered that one who is in his nature to do good will do good without being reminded. Imo has never been governed by a medical doctor since its creation as a result what is stronger should attract what is weaker. People of noble character will always come together for a high aim. Dr Julius Kpaduwa has promised Imo a high level of improved healthcare and social services. Can Imo State afford to be denied of this opportunity?
In the volume 1 of his book, “The Prayer of the Frog”, Anthony de Mello tells a story of a couple of hunters that chartered a plane to fly them into forest territory. “Two weeks later the pilot came to take them back. He took a look at the animals they had shot and said, “This plane won’t take more than one wild buffalo. You will have to leave the other behind”. But last year the pilot let us take two in a plane this size” the hunters protested. The pilot was doubtful, but finally he said, “Well, if you did it last year I guess we can do it again”.
So the plane took off with the three men and two buffaloes. But it couldn’t gain height and crashed into a neighboring hill. The men climbed out and looked around. One hunter said to the other, “Where do you think we are?” The other inspected the surroundings and said, I think we are about two miles to the left of where we crashed last year”.
The above is the true reflection of what will happen to us the second time if we fail to make the right choice of who should govern us in 2015. We may crash the same way we crashed in 2011 if the right person with good profile is not considered and favoured by our votes. Can that person be Dr. Julius Kpaduwa?