By Henry Ekpe
Sometime in 2007 when I was the Editor of Announcer Newspaper, Owerrri, Imo State, I had ran a story saying that then Hon Emeka Ihedioha was eyeing Imo Governorship seat.
Honestly, I ran that story to promote the man’s political profile, not knowing that I was stirring a storm.
Two days after, I got a call “Hello, is this Henry Ekpe? When and where did I discuss with you that I am interested in running for Imo Governorship Seat. So you want to pit me against Governor Ikedi Ohakim?” It was Emeka Ihedioha calling. Before that call I had not met him in person even though he was representing me in the House of Representatives because I am from Ngor Okpala LGA.
Weeks later, I got invitation that Ihedioha wanted to speak to a select Journalists in his village in Aboh Mbaise LGA. He called it a Break Fast meeting.
By 9am all the invited Journalists were there, but unfortunately Ihedioha was already engaged with some Traditional Rulers in his “Obiri”.
After some hours, I asked my colleagues that we should leave so that we can meet other engagements in Owerri. We were about to stage a walk-out when Ihedioha stormed out from the meeting with the Traditional Rulers.
“Gentlemen, bear with me. It is not my character to keep my visitors waiting. I felt I should finish with the Elderly people before meeting you, so that we can have enough time to ourselves”.
I said “But we need to go” Ihedioha asked “Who is this guy that cannot accept my plea?” My colleagues chorused” He is your brother Henry Ekpe”.
Ihedioha said “Oh, is this Henry Ekpe? You again?” But my colleagues did not know the reason he posed that question. That was my first time of meeting Ihedioha.
Months after that encounter, I was made the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ikedi Ohakim. So, suddenly we met again at Imo Government Lodge, Abuja, and I approached him to inform him of my new position, which he congratulated me.
That evening, the entire Imo PDP Leadership was meeting to deliberate on how to welcome President Musa Yarandau who was billed for Imo State, and Ihedioha was one of the arrow Heads.
After the meeting, assignments were shared, and Ihedioha sent for me to handle the Media Aspect, which caused a row. But he insisted that as the Chief Press Secretary CPS to the Governor, I ought to handle the Media so that they could hold somebody responsible incase of any disappointment.
And the amount mapped out for the job was huge, which led to the uproar. But Ihedioha insisted on me handed me the “Ghana-Must-Go” bag in front of all the Leaders, which include the sitting Governor, former Governors, members of National Assembly and other Leaders. There was no POS or transfer by phone then. It was Senator Osita Izunaso who said “Ihedioha, you have stuck on your brother”.
By the grace of God, the next day, the jobs started rolling out from the Media: Television, Radio and Newspapers and I neither failed myself, nor Ihedioha who handed me that tough challenge.
Since then, we became friends and brothers, but he is the Leader.
Our relationship continued while I served under Governor Ikedi Ohakim, but I remained in the Ohakim political structure. When Ohakim ran for a second term, I was fully with him but he was not successful.
In 2015, Ohakim ran against Ihedioha for the PDP primaries. I still worked for Ohakim. Though Ihedioha won, but I was not fully incorporated into his mainstream structure during the campaigns because I was still with Ohakim.
But in 2019, I made it clear that I had to go “home” to Owerri and fight for an Owerri man to be Governor. And till date I have no excuse or regret for that.
The reason is that Orlu has governed Imo State for sixteen years, Okigwe Four years but Owerri only that short seven but memorable months under Ihedioha.
Therefore in 2019, despite mouth watering overtures from different quarters, I swore to work for Owerri zone.
Luckily, Ihedioha again showed interest to run, and I jumped into the fray with all my energy. When Senator Sam Daddy showed up I advised him to queu behind Ihedioha. Not that he has no qualities, but will for dangerous for Owerri to begin in-house fight before moving out. And we worked so hard, that the Ihedioha political structure visited every kindred in Imo State, pleading for votes.
As expected, Imo populace heard his plea and trooped out enmasse and voted for him.
However, the victory was short-lived and truncated in the court, plunging Imo State into ruddelessness of motion without movement.
I remain glad today that my prophesy of 2007 has come to pass. What Ihedioha could not see then, I saw, but he reprimanded me then. But God made it a reality.
The seven months Ihedioha governed Imo State cleared all the insinuations held against him by detractors who had nothing to say against a Good man, but to manufacture lies.
Many called him “Mbaise irredentist” but he proved them wrong. For the short period he was in office, he showed he is from “Imo State”. He showed he is for everybody and not for anybody.
All the LGAs were fully represented in his Cabinet, with the key appointments shared equitably.
None of his relations was given any post, unlike his predecessors.
A lot of people judge Ihedioha from afar. One of his problems is that those who Ihedioha made in life usually turn round to deny and malign him after they had gained from his magnanimity. But God keeps projecting him.
No man is perfect. Ihedioha does not claim to be perfect, but he is better than most of those who table him for discussion.
The young man has made a lot of people millionaires, facilitated employments of thousands, while many still eat through his philanthropy today.
In character, while some people because of politics say white is black, it is better you don’t vote for him than for Ihedioha to deceive you with fallacies and white lies.
He is brutal in calling a spade by its name, which keeps dubious people away from him, as they go about manufacturing false tales.
One of the major tales is that Ihedioha is the Alpha and Omega of Imo PDP. But if I may ask what is wrong if a man reaps where he sowed?
Since 1999 Ihedioha joined PDP, he is the only former or serving Governor of Imo State that has not left PDP. He has remained committed to PDP. While others jump in and out of political parties, Ihedioha remains in the party to consolidate.
He has shown consistency in all he does in life. When PDP was embroiled with the Sherriff/Markafi saga, he remained resolute and fought till the last day, rather than leave the party.
So, when the nomadic politicians after touring the whole parties, return to PDP they want Ihedioha to relinquish what he has fought for?
Ihedioha has not sent anybody out of PDP, but builds the party by wooing many into the party.
Those who chicken out after confronting the colossus, instead of confirming their cowardice, only turn around to try to demarket Ihedioha with spurious allegations.
I write this piece to celebrate a brother, a friend and Leader.
Ihedioha is like an Elephant, described by blind men. They give their descriptions based on the part of the huge Animal they touched.
Leaders are like that. Looking at him, beginning from Saint Ephraim Secondary School Owerrinta up to when he arrived Abuja to “hustle” with his friends and contemporaries, it could be deciphered that only God makes Kings. It is neither by our might nor by our power.
Within a space of twenty years, while some of his age mates are still grappling with the vagaries of life, Emeka Ihedioha has rode to the pinnacle of political Power in Nigeria with ease that he has entered the pantheon of the rare personages in Nigeria whose final day must be draped with the National Flag. It is no mean fit.
As Ihedioha celebrates Fifty Six years, despite all his humungous achievements already, age remains on his side, and there are still much to conquer.
January 14, 2020 remains ever green in the Hearts of Imo people, as it was the day a new Imo was aborted by forces of darkness.
However, patient pays. Who knows what next God has in stock for you? For those of us who believe in you, keep living because your presence is an inspiration to thousands who have no hope of tomorrow.
