Roforofo, to those who are not familiar to it is a Yoruba language commonly used to describe an unkind fight between or among people of different kinds. Roforofo is a unique quarrel where the contestants throw in unimaginable things to undermine or demystify their opponents. It is nothing but a “dirty fight” where uncouth languages and unorthodox tactics are applied for purposes of gaining upper hand in a fight.
That best describes the raging war of attrition going on between the office of the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly and the out-of-favour media aide, Citizen Samuelson Ikenna Iwuoha who threw in the towel recently.
Before this unsavory development, Citizen Iwuoha was incharge of the media department in the office of the Speaker where he acted as SSA media to Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu. Iwuoha who kick-started the image-making job weeks after the present House Members were inaugurated in 2011, was however sanctioned and removed from the Media Department for undisclosed reasons in June last year. On return after a month suspension, Iwuoha was redeployed to a newly created Special Duties portfolio, thereby paving way to another aide of the Speaker, Engr Emeka Ahaneku to step in as new acting SSA media to the Speaker.
That simple change of guard no doubt has invoked cantankerous episode in the Office of the Speaker. Apparently dissatisfied with the manner he was shoved aside and displaced from the SSA media office, and relocated to a less fancied Special Duties Office, Iwuoha has bade bye to the Speaker’s office. Interestingly, Iwuoha’s exist is leaving a bitter pill in the minds of keen observers of political developments in the state, especially keen followers of State House of Assembly affairs. Apart from cross fire epistles embellished with unprintable stories, accusations and counter accusations of nefarious tales dominate the unwarranted jibes between Iwuoha and Uwajumogu’s lieutenants.
I considered it necessary to jump into the matter as a matter of “Urgent Necessity” as the lawmakers would always say while attempting to present any motion, or Bill, crucial to the people. My decision to jump into the matter does not arise from the fact that I have a weekly page for commentaries on socio-political developments, but the singular fact that the media department I handed over to Iwuoha has become a subject of caricature and at the front burner of discussion in recent times. From June 2007 to May 31st 2011, I acted as the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker and was in charge of the Media Department. Iwuoha became my successor when I left office. Few weeks after he assumed office, I didn’t mind the controversial circumstances that warranted our exit from office to visit Iwuoha in the CPS former office, at the Assembly Complex, New Owerri. While I buoyed with nostalgic feeling about the CPS office after sharing banters with staff of the Speaker’s office and state legislature, I offered my piece of advice to Iwuoha who listened with rapt attention. Though, it was a brief and chanced meeting, but I was able to intimate him on certain pitfalls to watch out for in the course of discharging his duties. The visit did not end our rapport as he never hesitated to make inquirers or interact with me on common challenges facing him in office while I went back to the pen-pushing business. I was however surprised when news filtered in that Iwuoha was on suspension two years after being on the saddle. The subsequent verbal exchanges and cross fire media attacks have forced me to react because “I am involved”. From all indications, the brickbats have created a disdainful impression about the office of the Speaker, especially the media department, and those who held the position in the past.
Considering the secrets of the public relations trade and the uniqueness of the media office of the highly elevated and respected Chief Press Secretary Office of Imo Speaker has undoubtedly been demystified and reduced to rubbles. I feel pained that a position one toiled and employed professional tactics to elevate is being ridiculed by my predecessors. The bile and tirade associated with the crossfire battle perpetuated by Iwuoha and Uwajumogu’s men is a further attempt to denigrate the media department of the office of the Speaker.
I have taken time to personally speak to the affected persons on the issue and the need to let the sleeping dog lie. The Press Secretary/Media Dept Office, is an image making, and not image destroying arm of the office holder. In the course of exchanging invectives, the aforementioned persons engaged in unprofessional conduct of making public the issue of stipend given to journalists and amounts owed to media houses for whatsoever reasons. Such exposures are unwarranted as they are not made for public knowledge since it would likely be an indirect means of exposing gentlemen of the Press before the society. If the warring factions understand what the media office of Speaker like other media offices attached to top political office holders in present political dispensation stands for, this unholy war would have been avoided. In view of the improper manner square pegs are placed round holes, the travesty of troubles plaguing the media office of the Speaker is expected. Unlike several political office holders who neglect laid down procedures in choosing aides for strategic positions, media relations and image handling should be strictly reserved and be handed to core professionals in the media industry with undiluted pedigree and rich knowledge of the sector. It is not for political settlement or be dispensed with bias or sentiments of clannish interest. In line with other professional duties involved in political appointments, the positions of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Health and Finances Ministries Commissioners are reserved for professionals in that field. Same applies to the information and media portfolio. Jobs for image management and press relations should not be thrown to carpenters, brick layers, or street urchins in the name of political settlement, or else the concerned principal will get what he never bargained for. For example, in 2007 elections, I was neutral and operated as unbiased umpire while monitoring elections across the state. I never bothered myself with the party that won or lost election as well as any candidate, since I did not vote because I was a certified election monitor reporting conduct of the voting across the state. But by stroke of luck, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah who was elected to represent Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency and later emerged Speaker appointed me Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker.
Speaker Uwajumogu shall also receive another series of bashing for the imbroglio in his office. As a leader incharge of affairs in the House and his Office, he is expected to have intervened and ensure that peace reigns without rancour among his aides. He is expected to have ensured the matter should not be for public discourse.
This write-up is not geared towards apportioning blame to anybody. I am not interested in what led to the Roforofo and is not concerned on who drew the first blood. My appeal is to all concerned to sheathe their sword for peace to reign. I expect Uwajumogu to also intervene to end the schisms bearing in mind that Iwuoha and his challengers still remain his “boys”. I rest my case.
