By: Ohanele Casca
A golden fish has no hiding place. A man bestowed with leadership cannot run away from the responsibilities attached to that role. In what ever men do, people interpret it in so many ways, man no doubt is a political animal and speculations and permutation are all attitudes of men. When a politician coughs some people say it is politics. When they throw a party, people say it is politics and when they also celebrate birthdays, it is expected that people will still speculate. Yes, where ever people gather there is the tendency to discuss the way forward and it becomes inevitable when patriots come together, they must discuss how to make the nation better. Chief Ihedioha is a patriot and at any place he finds himself, people must discuss issue of governance. As a leader he must rise to the occasion when it demands from him but that does not disconnect from family responsibilities.
The birthday of Ihedioha’s mum turned out to have the semblance of a political carnival because of his position and his acceptability by people of different ethnicity, religious and social backgrounds. It is expected that when people like Ihedioha invites people for any event, they will honour it because he is a man who honours people. As a politician, he has build bridges. As an administrator, he has delivered. So the import of that ceremony is not just political but a charge for him to do more as Imo is indeed in need of sincere leadership.
It was Harold Wilson, a former British prime minister, while referring to Harold Macmillan., who said that, “a constant effort to keep his party together, without sacrificing either principle or the essentials of basic strategy, is the very stuff of political leadership”. Rt Hon Ihedioha has over the years been a uniting force in his party, the Peoples Democratic Party and the nation at large, no wonder friends and foes used the opportunity offered by the birthday of his mother to embrace one another. Chief Ihedioha has maintained the principles of transparency using the strategy of integrity to sustain friendship with people who come across him irrespective of the person’s social or economic status. This like Harold Wilson puts it, marks him out as an outstanding political leader. A man who has combined family life of taking care of his parents, siblings, relatives, wife and children and political life of taking care of his constituents and ensuring that Imo is not left out in the scheme of national politics, is an asset to any society.
The turn-out of people at the event of his mother’s birthday implies the level of his acceptability and circumstances like that is what encourages the citizens’ call on him to run for the governorship of Imo State come 2015. All speculations on 2015 are an attestation that people see in him the quality that could move Imo forward. No wonder Gov. Okorocha who despite being from the opposing camp attested what many people are yet to know about this great son of Imo when his Excellency made a confession of his worth and contributions to the development of Imo. As many have insinuated, believing that the event of his mother’s birthday was a test of the political water in readiness for his gubernatorial ambition. In as much as the leader has been receiving pressure from many quarters to run, he has not in any fora or through any group declared that he is running. However as a politician, service to humanity is his driving force and the desire to provide an enabling environment where people could realise their full potential in an atmosphere of democracy and respect for the rule of law has been his mission. Be that as it may, he is a citizen of Imo State and should he indicate interest to run for gubernatorial seat, his numerous contributions to legislative development in Nigeria and his achievements in bringing development to Imo State as testified by Gov. Okorocha, will be his testimonial.
He is a trustworthy politician, a bridge builder who says what he means and does what he promises without a sudden summersault in programme or policy. He does not see governance as showmanship neither is he an administrative experimentalist who uses people as guinea pig, churning out political coinages for personal ego. He is a practical leader who does not believe in propaganda or promise of building castle in the moon while people suffer hunger and starvation. He is a sports lover who does not convert school sports facilities to theatre of the absurd. He is a builder of public institutions and people general goods not a seller of public property to friends and aliens. He is a respecter of the rule of law who does not rub peter to pay Paul, a man whose elections have never been challenged in any law court, yes, that is who Emeka Ihedioha is.
The presence of Nigerians of different political affiliations at the event and the solidarity he enjoyed from his immediate constituents was a proof of his good leadership and commitment to friendship. He has since his entry into politics maintained his political allies in a country where politicians are known for cross carpeting for selfish reasons, he has remained consistent in the PDP helping to reform and build it into a formidable party for the next millennium. He has been accepted at the national level not because he is born with a silver spoon or because he has any biological affiliation with other parts of the country but for the single reason that he has performed and he can be trusted and that he has also exhibited integrity in service without betraying his friends or pulling down his opponents. It was David Lloyd-George a former British Prime Minister who said that, “a politician is a person with whose politics you did not agree. When you did agree, he was a statesman. Emeka Ihedioha is a statesman and Nigeria and Imo has gotten to a stage where only statesmen should be given opportunity to govern than allowing political tycoons hijack the apparatus of state for ego ride and blotted ambition. When you meet Ihedioha and interact with him, you will be enticed by his intelligence and knowledge of way forward for Imo and Nigeria.
Harry S. Truman a former U.S President once said, “a leader is a man who has the ability to get other people to do what they don’t want to do, and like it” and Ralph Nader a U.S author said too that, “the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. Chief Ihedioha has not only produced leaders but has impacted positively on the political culture that sustains good leadership as a manager of men and resources, he has the vision that convinces and drives people to follow his direction without acrimony and it is on record that none of his followers have regretted it.
Rt Hon Ihedioha has done well for himself and well too for Imolites. He is an acclaimed administrator per excellence; he has pedigree and the panache to lead a people or a state to a higher pedestal. Despite all his achievements and position, he has maintained respect to constituted authority and elders. Like Sima Guang a Chinese writer wrote, “Even though a ruler may be wise as a sage, he must humble himself and yield to others. Then the intelligent will offer him their counsel and the brave will exert themselves to the fullest for him”. Alexander Pope, English poet also added that, “he serves me most who serves his country best”. Rt Hon Ihedioha has everything going good for him because he respects people and their opinion and because of his dexterity in the service of our country and humanity, Imolites know that he will serve them the most. The Deputy Speaker House of Reps has not glorified himself with wealth but has used what God has blessed him with to render service to his community and alleviated the sufferings of the masses and this attribute is what endeared him to people and made a humble celebration of his mother’s birthday turn into a sort of political carnival. This agrees with A. Lawrence Lowell, a U.S. political scientist and educator who said, “Anyone who sees in his own occupation merely a means of earning money degrades it; but he that sees in it a service to mankind ennobles both his labour and himself”.
George W. Bush, U.S. governor and president, January 20, 2001, was unmistakeably x-raying our dear Chief Ihedioha too when he said, “What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbours. I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character”. These admonitions from Bush have been the innate force that has fired Omenke Ahuru Anya of Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala in public service. He has in his personal and official capacity committed his life and energy to public good like James II, the English Monarch of (1633 – 1701) who vowed, “I have often heretofore ventured my life in defence of this nation; and I shall go as far as any man in preserving it in all its just rights and liberties”, this Chief Ihedioha has continued to do for Imo and Nigeria
No wonder the mammoth gathering at Mbutu Mbaise on the 29th of September, 2012 was there to express their love for Chief Ihedioha. Those who know him always remain with him and those who come in contact are always infected by his simplicity to fall in love with him. The political implication of that event was a show of bond of friendship. Like Desmond Morris a British ethnologist and writer pointed out that, “A true bond of friendship is usually only possible between people of roughly equal status. This equality is demonstrated in many indirect ways, but it is reinforced in face-to-face encounters by a matching of the posture of relaxation or alertness”. This agrees with all political heavy weights and ordinary Nigerians who came on the same page at the event in an atmosphere of relaxation. This should be seen as a show of political maturity and acceptance. Francis Bacon, English philosopher, statesman, and lawyer noted too that’ “A crowd is not company, and faces are but a gallery of pictures, and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love”. At the event of Chief Ihedioha mum’s birthday, it was a show of genuine love by those who he has served meritoriously and those who look up to him for purposeful leadership in the future and Imo people should first and foremost see it as such.
Saturday, 29th September, 2012 will remain ever green in the minds of Imo people and will remain a cherished moment in the hearts of Mbaise people. That day was the birthday celebration of the mother of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Reps, a national political leader of Mbaise extraction, a unique prophet who has honour in his home. The show of solidarity by national political leaders, state governors, political allies and opponents, friends and well wishers at Mbutu Mbaise is a show that a leader who has positively touched the life of his people deserve great honour and that was demonstrated that even the governor of Imo State His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha attested that indeed Chief Ihedioha has made Imo people proud in service. It was John Wesley an English religious leader who advised people thus: “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” In these entire dictums, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has shown exemplary leadership.
Emeka Ihedioha’s humility, meticulous strategies, sincerity, grassroots mobilization, political sagacity, intelligence and patriotic service to the nation won him the confidence of all national leaders, ordinary citizens and even his political opponents who converged at his home town to felicitate with a lawmaker who has brought a lot of federal government presence to Imo State. At the House of Reps, Hon. Emeka has comported himself with honour, utmost sincerity and sense of responsibility that he was made a first tenure Chairman House Committee on Marine Transport leading to positive reforms in the maritime industry resulting in the passage of the cabotage law which liberalised the sector for indigenous participation. In that first opportunity given to him to serve, his constituents and constituency experienced tremendous positive accelerated infrastructural development and human capacity development unprecedented in the history of political representation in Imo. Democracy dividends was evident, constituency consultation, Federal Government presence, capacity building and link to the national political grid became the order of the day in Imo State.
Thanks to the vibrant, cool, humble people servant, Emeka Ihedioha, Omenke Ahuru Anya (the man whose impacts and achievements are visible). To whom much is given, much is expected. No wonder the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha while addressing a mammoth crowd at the birthday celebration of Dame Dorothy Ihedioha, mother of Chief Ihedioha, told the whole world thus: “I am very proud of Rt Hon Ihedioha. He has brought a lot of Federal Government projects and we urge him to bring more. Indeed we are very proud of him. As a man of vision who knew the needs of Imolites, he is gingered in the national Assembly by the zeal to do more for Imo people and his constituency in appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and the support he has always received from Imolites. Unlike some politician who would have seen their position as the No.6 in the country as an opportunity for self aggrandizement, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha devoted his resources to the service of humanity and Imo people.
His patriotism, selfless services, humility and leadership qualities did not go unnoticed in the House of Reps. His colleagues who he holds in very high esteem in their resolve to put round pegs into round holes elected him Deputy Speaker, a positioned he has held with, integrity, dignity and all sense of responsibility to service to fatherland. The quintessential legislator with the sensational green traditional cap has won himself into the hearts of Imo people, Nigerians and the International Community. His political benevolence cuts across constituency, states and zones. He became a bridge builder, a stabilizing force between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, an epitome of harmonious collaboration between members of National Assemblies and their various states’ governments for the improvement of infrastructure and human capacity building in the states.
He has attracted many Federal projects into Imo State. Today, a gigantic power station is nearing completion in Aboh Mbaise with sub-stations at Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise LGAs respectively, another at Ngor-Okpala LGA and Owerri West LGA. A jetty at Ngor-Okpala side of Imo River is in place, never forget the Naval Base at Owerrinta, rehabilitation of Owerri/ Aba road, construction of Okpala- Aluu road linking to Port Harcourt Airport, the dualization of Imo end of Owerri- Port Harcourt road, distribution of school desks to primary schools in the Federal Constituency, provision of solar street lights in the constituency, scholarship schemes, constituency projects, support to administrations in Imo State to mention but a few are all to the credit of Omenke Ahuru Anya, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
Known for his doggedness, frankness, sincerity, respect for people, constituted authorities, religious and traditional institutions, his savvy and legislative dexterity, his political sagacity, tact and openness has played notable roles in national political stability. He has been a synthesizer and mobiliser who have always insisted that Imo must be better and should be placed above individual interest. He is the rallying point of Imo PDP. Even as Imo State is under a government of APGA, he has not hesitated to give valuable advice to the government to ensure that Imo people get good governance and their due share from the Federal Government.
In all these, no one should loose focus on the fact that there are those who do not mean well for Imo State and Nigeria who will be attacking this illustrious son of Imo due to ignorance or share mischievousness. These elements are adviced to repent and support the progressive vision of Chief Ihedioha. Yes, the Deputy Speaker has not declared interest to run for the governorship of Imo State but detractors are already trying to set him up against some other distinguished sons and daughters of Imo State using campaign of calumny and blackmail. Ihedioha enjoys good relationship with Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, he enjoys good working relationship with big sister Sen. Chris N.D Anyanwu. The rapour between Owelle Rochas and Ihedioha is cordial. So detractors and mischief makers should desist form spreading falsehood, because no one can curse who God has blessed.
In all sincerity, Rt Hon Ihedioha is loved by many; the show of solidarity at his mother’s birthday was a show of that love. The future of Chief Ihedioha’s political interest is in God’s hand and he will be what God says he will be. The event was a thank you service to God for the life of a loving and caring mother. A man, who loves family, appreciates God for his blessings and renders selfless service to humanity cannot be abandoned by God and this is what people should see as the implication of that birthday celebration. Chief Ihedioha does not need to test political waters because it is already good for him as a man who has so far performed. Politically he will be accepted any day as the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has already attested that he is proud of him and that Imo people are looking up to him to do more in uplifting the state. This is prophetic and God will confirm his words at the right time. So if all the above enumerated qualities and attributes of Chief Ihedioha are the credentials that people feel qualifies him to be a governor that gingers public insinuations, so be it.
