By Kenneth Uwadi
I head for the tailor’s shop, the one they told me that is in Ikenegbu. After half an hour of wandering among fast food concessions, cosmetic sample stands, I found it. Half an hour later, I was back in my room, unwrapping. There is a suit and choice of ties. The items were gifts of love from someone to me. I give a lot and I receive a lot. To get, you give. It was already getting hot so I corral the gifts in the wardrobe and locked it.
I fumbled my way out of my room and onto the road. Then I saw the long convoy of Mr. Kinsley Uju, former Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor of Imo state heading to God knows where. The last time I saw him was when he was jogging along the road in one of the communities in Egbema. Around him in that community where he went for political consultations were eight men, four slightly in front, and four slightly behind. They were fit and active and all eight had to slow down their normal pace a bit to match his. The eight men were wearing matching black running suits. I also noticed uniformed policemen and some tattered looking boys following him. He could be in his late 40s but he looked older.
Uju is currently running for House of Reps of the Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West constituency. His name appeared on INEC list as candidate for Action Alliance (AA) and as a candidate for Democratic Alternative (DA). This to me is double nomination. Does it mean he does not know the implication of double nomination? Where a candidate knowingly allows himself to be nominated by more than one political party or in more than one constituency, his nomination shall be void. He does not seem to know anything? How will he know when all he does is move around with thugs and miscreants, dragging the name of the oil kingdom of Imo state to the mud?
They say Uju is the man behind the moribund condition of ISOPADEC and ADAPALM .Some say he was the man who led thugs to destroy Ekeukwu –Owerri market. Others say he is the one who controls the thugs used by the Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s government in intimidating political opponents. They also said he is the conduit pipe for some corrupt Imo bourgeois politicians in the looting of the 13 percent oil derivation funds of the State.
To him as they said ‘’onye ube ruru ya rarama’’. In his convoluted and banal imagination, he sees himself as a Lord. He calls himself ‘onye ahia attack’. Because of “ihe o ritege” he connived with the capitalist thieving baboons in the state to cripple ISOPADEC, the body set up as an intervention commission for the oil producing areas. He sold his conscience leaving communities and families of the oil kingdom whose farm lands and fishing ponds/rivers were destroyed by oil exploration to suffer.
Uju is also the man responsible for the total refusal of the oil companies in our areas to stick to corporate social responsibilities. This same man wants to represent Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West at the federal house of reps? Tufiakwa!! If this is a joke, let it end now!
Imo got billions as 13 percent oil derivation funds. Where are the monies? Ask them what they have done with the monies, they will tell you they built a permanent office for ISOPADEC, gave amnesty to the youths of the area. All na wash-wash. ISOPADEC has gone moribund because funds belonging to the commission have grown wings at the detriment of the oil producing areas that are under developed. The position Uju is eying is currently occupied by Rt. Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah.
There is really no need to bring him or any one currently aspiring for this position in any comparison with Opiah. Rt Hon Opiah enjoys very impressive legislative experience. Legislation is not hooliganism. It would be a waste of our precious time sending neophytes like Uju or Okafor to learn the ropes when we have someone at the National Assembly who put up a superlative performance in his first four years. He has to be allowed to spend another four years to complete the good works he started. Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West needs a principal position at the house this time.
Our elders, women and youths know that the reward for good work is more work. This is why we cannot change the winning team. Intelligence, peace and hard work are part of leadership and Opiah has displayed them. Making money illegally or self-enrichment should never be the criterion for aspiring to go to the House of Representatives. Those parading thugs around and dragging the image of the oil kingdom through the mud have nothing to offer. They failed to deliver on promises when they held sway in the state. They do not care about honesty. Their value is seen not in what they deliver but in how they terrorize the state with thugs. They are no leaders. Our constituency is not for thugs and miscreants.
I have said it several times that we have good men in all walks of life. Good men in sports, medicine, politics, music. We have good men in our classrooms, marketplaces and on the boulevard of life. We have men and women who inspire people, men who work like divine agents, putting smiles on the faces of the people. Opiah is one of such men. He is cool-headed, principled and ideologically driven. His outstanding records during his time at the Imo State House of Assembly and in his first tenure at the National Assembly are there for everyone to examine. As a lawmaker, he has proved his mettle. He has made the people of the oil kingdom proud. He remains the choice for Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency.
Anyone fighting to prevent Opiah from getting a second tenure is fighting against the wish of the people and will not succeed. Vox Populi, Vox Dei (The voice of the people is the voice of God). Surely, the people of the oil kingdom will be sending Opiah back to the federal house to complete his good works. Legislative business is serious business. Ohuba,Umuagwo ,Umuapu , Awara/Ikwerrede and the entire Ohaji are solidly behind him. Egbema communities, Oguta communities and communities in Oru West are solidly behind him. His political structures at the grassroots are second to none. Youths, elders, women and children roll out drums to welcome him wherever he goes in his constituency, citing his achievements when he was a Speaker and achievements at the National Assembly as well as his love for his people. Uzo di nma agaya ugboro abuo!
. Uwadi writes from Mmahu Egbema , Imo State and can be reached via 08037982714