Golden age is one milestone usually celebrated by many with profound fanfare and passion because it marks a critical turning point in one’s life. To Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, this long-established aphorism is not any different as he clocked 50 last Tuesday, March 24. But then, for someone who has accomplished so many enviable feats in politics and public service within a short life span, Ihedioha has a lot to cheer, celebrate and many red carpets to lay, consistent with his towering accomplishments
Ihedioha’s golden age commemoration is remarkable in various ways. It coincides with the period he is suitably contesting to govern his home state of Imo. He is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag-bearer in the state in next month’s general election, with his chances of clinching the governorship brightening each passing day. His victory, predictably on the heels of this milestone would open yet another uncommon but largely striking chapter in his life.
Born into the family of the late Pa Green Ihedioha on March 24, 1965 at the idyllic Mbutu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Ihedioha had a humble and regimented beginning. This was particularly so because he grew up under the tutelage of disciplined parents who held education and strict religious obligations in high premium. Thus, they brought young Emeka up to be a devout Christian, to have voracious appetite for education; growing thirst for selfless service and service to humanity.
These attributes have had a far-reaching effect in shaping Ihehioha, accounting for his astronomical growth and success in public service and politics. At 50, Ihedioha has amazingly held several strategic political positions through appointments and elections and now coasting home to be elected Imo governor.
This governorship hopeful began his political apprenticeship when Third Republic Deputy Senate President, Albert Legogie, appointed him press officer in 1991. Following military interregnum that resulted in the demise of that republic, Ihedioha returned to private practice, firming up his First Page Public Relations outfit. He later joined the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) that merged with other political associations to form the PDP. This enabled him to be part of the team that designed the party’s publicity roadmap at inception.
He emerged in 1999 as the Special Adviser on Media Relations to the then President of the Senate, Chuba Okadigbo. The tenure of his boss was short-lived (it terminated in 2000), following his unbridled pursuit for the independence of the legislature, which consistently set him in collision course with the presidency. Ihedioha was, shortly after, appointed Special Assistant (Political Affairs) by the then Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. It was from there his political career began to witness exceptional boost.
At 50, Ihedioha has achieved so many rare feats with several legacies to attest to. He ran and won his first election in 2003 to represent Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala in the House of Representatives. The Selection Committee of the House headed by Aminu Masari appointed him Marine Transport Committee Chairman. He pursued critical Acts such as NIMASA Act of 2008 towards ensuring the revamp of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA).
Interestingly, Ihedioha has won three consecutive elections, resulting in his 12-year stint in the House. Far more amazing is that his positions in the House have been on a steady progress. During his second tenure in 2007, South East House caucus elected him Chief Whip. Four years later, he was unanimously endorsed without dissension in 2011 as Deputy Speaker by his colleagues.
Ihedioha, accordingly, chairs the House Ad-hoc committee on constitution review, headed the intellectual-based committee that designed House Roadmap for 2011 and 2015, and chairs the House Committee of the Whole that considers and passes all bills into law.
As chairman, Constitution Review Committee (CRC), Ihedioha enthroned a credible, largely novel constitution review process by painstakingly involving the civil society groups and broadening the participation base of Nigerians by seeking their inputs in the 360 federal constituencies in the country. Thus, all the items of his committee’s report were endorsed wholesale by the House. Some of the revolutionary recommendations made by his committee included: making basic health, free and compulsory education from primary to junior high, basic shelter for all Nigerians constitutional imperative.
His stint in the National Assembly has shown him to be development-focused and infrastructure-led. His pursuits for empowerment programmes resulting in wealth creation and employment boost have remained palpable and unassailable. These realities, including his regular interface with his constituents, are instructive of his dexterity for effective legislative governance.
Although this piece is not principally fashioned to compute the many projects Ihedioha has brought to the state and South East zone, the record of his road infrastructure, electricity projects, education facilities, water projects, hospital facilities are significant and verifiable. For instance, Ihedioha got the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to award contract for OKpala-Igwuruta Road, linking Imo to Rivers with the first phase costing N4.2 billion; facilitated award of contract for the dualisation of Owerri-Elele (Omayelu) 35-kilometre road at N23 billion. He also attracted contract for the design of the famous 63-kilometre Mbaise Ring Road cutting across three local councils.
Driven by the desire to build human capital to propel socio-economic development in Imo, he has at various times organised empowerment programmes for Imo journalists, youths, women and even graduate engineers.
His guiding principle is respect for the rule of law and frankness with his “word being his bond”. He has promised Imo people that one of his cardinal objectives when elected as governor would be the restoration of rule of law in a state Governor Rochas Okorocha has unfortunately enthroned lawlessness, civil dictatorship and disobedient to court decisions as the order.
His seven-point agenda contains well-articulated framework fashioned robustly to correct Okorocha’s many anomalies and set the state on the path of education rebound and socio-economic development and prosperity. Free qualitative education; integrated health care delivery and free primary health; urban renewal; industrialisation; local council autonomy; and mechanised agriculture are some of the cardinal programmes Ihedioha has severally promised to bequeath Imo when elected.
At 50, Ihedioha is set to lead Imo. His pedigree, profound public service experience, legacies, accomplishments, inspirational leadership style, sincerity and well-based, results-oriented programmes for Imo place him above all other candidates in the race for Douglas House. The real gift Imo indigenes would bestow on this man of vision is to commemorate his golden age celebration by voting him in to preside over the affairs of the state. It is only incontrovertible that such is a plausible and wise decision Imo would benefit inestimably.
• Uganwa (Ph.D) wrote in from Owerri, Imo State.