Eddie Onuzuruike
It is unfortunate that some people are still under the illusion of the old political order and mentality of winning at all cost and by all means. In clear terms, it reflects a distasteful adamancy where people have refused to learn from the good examples of President Goodluck Jonathan in the just concluded presidential election.
Sunday, April, 12, witnessed a tragic drama at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission Umuahia, Abia State; it was the collation of Governorship election of April 11, 2015.
The exercise in the State went successfully well in the three Senatorial zones without much incidence except in few spots but when Professor Benjamin Ozumba, the returning officer was about to announce the result, he was interrupted in a gangster like style by one APGA chieftain who may have functioned as the party agent at the INEC headquarter. He shouted down the Professor as he made moves to announce the result. In a twinkle of an eye, he snatched the result sheet from the returning officer and may have moved out of the place. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Chukwu Chukwu Nwachukwu, and Solomon Ogunji, chieftains of the PDP were shocked beyond words and seemed hypnotized initially at such bravado but recovered few minutes and raised an alarm.
It is funny to observe that the scary episode, a criminal behavior of taking gangsterism to a high level, happened in the full glare of the security chiefs of the uniformed bodies in the state, ranging from the commissioner of police, the head of immigration, head of Prisons and others.
Many questions call for answers. Who announced the cancellation of the results in areas, especially in Dr. Ikpeazu’s strongholds? Does the Prof take instructions from Mr. Nweke to know what to do in a grave situation where a Prof in the ivory tower allows himself to be pushed around by fellows far younger and of no political consequence. Does Prof Ozumba have such sweeping powers to annul results? If he was so convinced of foul play why did he not state so vehemently? There is every evidence that Mr. Nweke played a well-rehearsed script to the detriment of Abians. This ugly development if not called to order, will be adopted by many. This bad example of not letting votes count should be discouraged.
It is on record that not quite long ago, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, vice chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, bestowed an honorary doctorate degree award on Dr Otti. In most situations before people receive awards from institutions, it comes at a great cost which is not strange to Otti’s case as he has been making cash donations to hype his political ambition. Evidence has emerged that Celina Oko, Resident Electoral Commissioner is an Aunt of Otti. There are implicating indications too that Prof Ozumba hails from Aro Ajali, an Aro settlement though in Imo State but have strong allegiance and solidarity with Aros worldwide. Should the duo with such an ethnic tie been trusted to be impartial? Prof Jega’s reason to use professors as returning officers was to instill sanity with people of integrity being in charge and not to go into conspiracy with minions and become enmeshed in ethnic frivolities.
The decision to zone the governorship to Abia South was a move borne out of a high and rear sense of equity. Abia South which is peopled by Ukwa na Ngwa have not touched the governorship since the creation of Abia State nor did they get close since colonial times. Otti, a decampee of PDP now has claimed that he was born and bred in Ngwa land but thorough examinations indicate that he has not in any way identified with the Ngwas more so with the inscription which he hurriedly removed from his Aro palatial home.
Another angle that shouts for attention and amelioration is Otti, struggling for what doesn’t belong to him with two hands, an abomination in Igbo culture with evil consequences. The April election saw him collecting massive votes of over eleven thousand from Arochukwu LGA. There is nothing wrong in getting solidarity from his people, but the Jacob’s style of Esau’s hand and Jacob’s voice is fraud and cheating in a time we are trying to institute sanity in Abia polity. Complicating this gang up is another fact that Mrs Eme, Uche, deputy governorship candidate to Dr Otti is of Aro descent, married to an Ohafia person. To the Ngwas and Abia South, it can only be a conspiracy of Abia North and Arochukwu hegemony. If the Ngwas realize that what belongs to them has been fraudulently taken, it could lead to ethnic hatred which will bring another vicious circle of killing, maiming and segregation. It may be localized xenophobia that may tag the Aros for long and affect the future generations. There is need for caution!
In another development, what seemed like a rape of the people’s will and the wrong use of soldiers happened at Aba Na Ohazu in Aba, the stronghold of a widow Mrs Iheasinmuo who was compensated with the late husband’s position. Mrs Iheasinmo was elected as a posthumous gift to late Hon Iheasinmuo, a former House of Assembly member. This widow was recklessly rigged out at the expense of the affirmative action? There is still God oh!
From all accounts the collective pride of the Ukwa na Ngwa persons have been hurt and will definitely lead to prejudice. Ironically, a potent actor in this hoodwinking is an Ngwa person Chief Ahamdi Nweke. Politics instead of being a do or die effort should be do and live as to contest another day. Abram Lincoln and his political travails, unyielding in multiple attempts is a philosophical guide. Gen Buhari is a living local example who just triumphed after many endeavors, so why the desperation by Otti and group? Otti, since the campaign has employed very unethical strategies, using hate messages and unfounded claims. Some of the most stunning cases are ones where data were ignored or distorted. There is life after election and Abia belongs to all. Time will tell.
Let us heal instead of opening fresh sores. A peaceful Abia is the best and hope of all.
EDDIE ONUZURUIKE