kelechi Eke
The relationship between man and God has always presented some intriguing and almost always inexplicable dimensions beyond human understanding. Everyday, God uses some clear and demonstrable signs and events to teach humanity that He remains supreme above all things here on earth and beyond, and directs even the movement of the cosmos the way he pleases.
Beyond the wonders of creation itself where just the different species of birds alone and their behavioural patterns underscore God’s awesomeness, certain stories of some individuals epitomize same in the most unique and profound manner. The life of Hon Samdaddy Nnaemeka Anyanwu, the member representing Ikeduru State constituency in the lino State House of Assembly is one of the several examples. It is one in which fate and faith seemed to have intermingled to produce the most definitive and verifiable evidence of God’s existence and capacity to prove Himself to the faithful in the deepest way.
I was reflecting on the evil, selfish and wicked machinations of some envy stricken individuals who have arrogated unto themselves the power to decide the faith of people via a viz who will win election and who will not, as if they are God. And I told myself, the people of Ikeduru and indeed Imo State will never forget this astute, patriotic, urbane, benevolent Amaimo born politician. God is God. God is not man.
I lie meteroric rise of Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu in the political scene is a huge testimony to the sovereignty of God. It truly lends credence to the fact that there is no competition in destiny.
Remember how Samdaddy emerged to become the executive chairman of Ikeduru local Government Council in 2004, a lawmaker in the State House of Assembly in 2007 a position he still occupies as a ranking member. In 2004, Samdaddy joined the race for the chairmanship of Ikeduru L.G.A as a late contender with an outsider chance. But due to hardwork, dedication and the hand of God, he emerged victorious against formidable candidates that participated in the election.
Hon. Samdaddy used his tenure as the council chairman to endear himself to the people of Ikeduru and beyond. He recorded landmark achievements that included sinking of boreholes in communities in Ikeduru, construction of roads and lock-up stores in markets in Ikeduru, perimeter fencing of the Local government secretariat, building of the chairman’s office, free computer training for youths of Ikeduru, and above all, staff welfare in the council. Six years after he left office as the executive chairman, Hon Samdaddy remains a cult figure in the council secretariat.
It Samdaddy’s victory in 2004 as the executive chairman of Ikeduru was attributed to hard work and dedication, how could one then explain his victory in the House of Assembly election that brought him as member representing Ikeduru State Constituency. The bible recorded that whomsoever God has blessed, no man can curse. Against all intimidations, all shenanigans, all conspiracies, he ran for the State House of Assembly, and won resoundingly. This was a period he was unjustly suspended for eighteen months as the executive chairman of Ikeduru by the then executive governor of Imo State in circumstances that smack of war of attrition.
Upon his inauguration in the House, Hon. Samdaddy went straight to business. In his core responsibility as a lawmaker, he sponsored the populist local government amendment law that provided window of opportunity for lawyers in the State to act as presidents of customary courts in the State. He sponsored motions urging the State executive to provide basic infrastructure to relocated traders at Naze timber and allied market, motion urging Shell Petroleum to develop a world tourist centre at Iho Ikeduru being the first place oil exploration took place in Nigeria before Olobiri in 1956, among other motions and bills.
In December 2008, Samdaddy became the first representative in the history of Ikeduru to organize a very elaborate constituency briefing where he displayed his legislative score card, as well as empowered majority of his constituents. On that occasion, he gave out motorcycles, sewing machines, hair dryers, bursary to Ikeduru students, cash gifts and wrappers to indigent women and widows etc. In 2009, worried by erosion menace in his constituency, Samdaddy embarked on a media tour of erosion sites in Ikeduru that prompted him to make a strong representation to National Ecological Management fund, NDDC, and the State government. It should be noted that this selfless and most patriotic action attracted widespread commendation by leaders in Ikeduru and beyond.
Maybe, these were some of the reasons why the AGPA revolution that swept through the State in 2011 did not touch Samdadday. His goodwill and intimidating record of achievements spoke for him during the elections, and he was able to win landslide for PDP in the 2011 general elections in Ikeduru. He has continued to manifest his knack for excellence and quality representation. Just recently, Samdaddy gave back to the youths that stood by him in the last elections in his immediate electoral ward. He disbursed N25,000 each to 77 youths drawn from the 7 chapters in Amaimo ward, as a way of empowering them. These actions are not artificial or sycophantic, but a deliberate display of what he knows how best to do.
Lesson one for his detractors. Democracy is about building coalitions. The person that builds the larger coalition will always run away with the diadem. You cannot stay in your house and dictate who will win what and who will not. Water will always find its level. Lesson two. Mind the kind of foundation you lay for whatever endeavour you are embarking on. Build on quicksand, suffer a quick collapse. Build on wood, hay or stubble, get consumed when you are tested with fire. But build on the rock, and stand steady and sturdy when the buffeting comes.
What has stood Samdaddy in good stead today is God and the kind of foundation on which he merged. His elections has been facilitated by elements across party lines, and he has remained steadfast and true to his leaders and supporters over the years. That now makes it difficult for him to be removed or pulled down, no matter the artifices or financial armada or APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) deployed against him. Mind the foundation you lay. It may serve you positively, or do you in, at the critical time.
See how Samdaddy has built a state manly profile and reputation for himself since he emerged in the political scene in 2003. He could have chosen to ingratiate himself to some greedy, visionless leaders, and remain at their mercy, subject to their whims, caprices and mood swings. But no, he preferred to swim in the bigger pool. Wherever anything laudable is happening, you find Samdaddy there, irrespective of party affiliations. Anglican Diocese of Ikeduru held their synod, Samdaddy is there despite denominational differences. Mbaise people celebrated their prestigious Iri-ji Mbaise, Samdaddy was there, Owerri people in the united states of America held their convention you find him there building bridges of harmony, of friendship, of amity. And he tells you he’s a lawmaker of the State, committed to making good laws for the people of Imo State, not just of the PDP, nor the people of Ikeduru alone. No wonder he was recently honoured by the traditional rulers of Ikeduru as a Clan chief, the eleventh in the rich history of Ikeduru.
Hon. Samdaddy’s position as a stabilizing force in the House is not by accident, but a product of consistency, trust loyalty and excellence. God will always give us men who can always stand on their own, not those who play God, and toy day and night trying to truncate the ambition of someone God has ordained. This is truly the kind of Samdaddy. Owerri zone cannot wait to have Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu represent them in the red chambers of the Senate in 2015.
