Prof. Obiaraeri explodes, says Politics is a relational business.

Professor Nnamdi Obiaraeri is a legal scholar and former Commissioner for Youths and Sports during Chief Ikedi Ohakim's tenure. Here, he gave detailed analysis on the relational concept of politics with Imo as a case study.

I will resist the allure to feign ignorance that I did utter those words on a solemn occasion...We need to speak out more frequently in order to save the political future of our otherwise promising Imo youths in the hands of those who do not believe that "an apprentice will one day become Oga" or that an associate is worth his recognition and or deserved elevation. Let me shock us by citing some specifc  contemporary examples to butress this point and I hope it will be taken in good faith.

In early May and June 1999 when His Excellency Chief Udenwa was elected the Governor of Imo State, he graciously appointed Dr Vin Udokwu, Barr Ugbala, Barr Chris Okewulonu, Hon Chris Onunwa as aides in his office while Prof Obiaraeri and Barr Jerry Egemba were also appointed aides in the Governors office (HE Ebere Udeagu). As pioneers, we the aides suffered but served our state meritoriously being that we brought something on board. Our masters deservedly eraned and served out their two terms in an unprecedented tranquil manner.

Coincidentally and about this same time in this same country, Messrs Uduaghan, Sullivan Chime, Ike Ekweremadu, Akpabio, Fashola etc were also aides or assiciates in Delta under Gov Ibori, Gov Chimaraoke Nnamani in Enugu, Gov Atta in Akwa Ibom and Gov Tinubu in Lagos respectively to name a few. Today these other guys are rounding off their 2nd term guber reigns while we the Imo guys are still "boys" in the game scrambling for relevance with our masters and Ogas as though both master and servant are suffering from arrested political development. Tufiakwa!

It is pathetic and debilutating to think or realise that in between 1999 and 2007 no key aide or associate of Governor Achike was elected or appointed into a position of nationl eminence or prominence except the lucky and is it "foxy" Senator Izunaso (firstly as Reps man) and Hon Mayor Eze (Ikenga) of Federal House who was former Orlu LGA Chairman. Have you wondered why on earth Speakers Barr Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia and Barr Godfrey Dikeocha and Barr Kelechi Nwagwu all members of Redemption family lost in their various bids to go to  the Senate or become relevant after serving out? Is it by sheer coincidence that outsiders to the Redemption family took these chances...check out Senators Chris Anyanwu for Owerri Zone and SN Anyanwu for Okigwe Zone. 

Despite good advise and benefit of experience, the ugly and disturbing scenario worsened under the Ohakim New Face escapade. To think that all ten House of Reps members and all three Senators from Imo State between 2007 and 2015 were complete outsiders to the New Face family is enough to re-examine our style of selfish politics and attendant blind loyalty...check out Senators Mathew Nwagwu, Chris Anyanwu, Onwa Oyoko Hope Uzodinma none is a Redemption or New Face template person. Is it a laughing matter to underscore that all appointees, aides or associates of the Ohakim New Face failed woefully in their political pursuits in 2011 because of internal sabotage or insecurity on the part of Oga on Top?...see the shameful long list...

Chikwem Onuoha, 

Mrs Ijeoma Nwafor nee Iwu, 

Barr Kingsley Ononiwu, 

Chief Okwuego, 

Rt Hon Chuma Nnaji, 

Rt Hon Opiah (Speaker), 

Hon Jonas Okeke (Deputy Speaker), 

Dr Jeph Ojinika, 

Mrs Comfort Ozichukwu Chukwu, 

Chief Cosmas Iwu (a whole SSG) to name a few. Tufuiakwa!

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo is a man worthy of emulation and praise here.  He is different and has a rich pedigree in political empowerment. He does not see a young ally as an employee but as an associate deserving of elevation. Apart from many people he built and is still building politcally like Chief Okey Ezuruike one outstanding one is Kelechi Nwagwu who as a first time House member got into Speakerhip position etc...Ahaejiagamba does not believe in throwing crumbs at his "boys". Are you jealous that he has taken Hon Sam Daddy Anyanwu through Executive Chairman to ranking member IMHA and by the grace of GOD to the Senate? A round of applause there for a worthy leader please This is classical and refreshingly different from those who want to be reputed  for being successful without successors 

Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Commander of Free Education (you can argue about the quality if you like) stands shoulders high over and above those of them with political slave master mentality in our dear Imo State. In the realm of political empowerment of aides and associates, that guy Rochas, hate him or like him, has done what others in his position could not do. He has shown that a politician's road must lead somewhere and that loyalty has price and prize. Check out the meteoric career or  political growth of Madumere of yesterday and dont envy him for being a Chief Of Staff and now Deputy Governor twice- one by appointment and the other by ballot respectively. 

Check out Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu of yesterday and dont envy him if he gets elected Senator for Okigwe Zone in a couple of days from now...instead thank Owelle Rochas for knowing that politics is not a master and servant business. Courtesy of the ORO philosophy in politics that the young should grow, my respected former student Barr Ikenna Eme, Hon Stan Dara, Deputy Speaker Pharmacist Ozoemena will soon upgrade to the Green Chamber as House of Representatives Members.  What of Chike Okafor of Zenith Bank that used to keep our small change for us? That was yesterday my brother. Today courtesy of what we call the ORO empowerment magic, Chike Okafor is not only a former super Finance Comissioner he is also Abuja bound as Rep Member for Okigwe South. What you will ask yourself is where are the Kezie Ogaziechis, Benji Ekwuemes, Chuck Chukuemekas (what a funny name), Emma Ohakims, Rubby Emelles, JS Obis, George Irechukwus, Prof Obioma Ihedurus of the New Face? Little wonder they and their "slave master" did not support our senatorial aspiration because for them a political associate does not deserve to move up. You now see why Kelechi kpaleke has been hit by reality and jumped ship to seek refuge under Owelle Rochas Okorocha? 

Compare with Mrs Raja Ejiogu, a former teacher, former Commissioner for Education under Rochas and now a House of Assembly candidate for Ihitte Uboma. What do you have to say about Chief Chuks Ololo of Owerri North vying for House of Representatives under APC? I have a junior both at Government Secondary School Owerri and at  the Bar named Hon Barr Uche Onyeagocha. It will interest you to know that Uche (I know he wont take offence because he is lean on protocol) is now the APC Senatorial candidate for Owerri Zone after an eventful earlier stint in the House of Reps via APGA. Check out Hon OzB and Hon Acho Ihim all seeking to return to IMHA as ranking members via APC courtesy of Owelle Rochas. Whether they win or lose can you compare them with the experience of Hon Whiteman Simeon Iwunze and Hon Ngaobiwu whom the slave masters deceived and treacherously disgraced in the last PDP primaries. 

I believe we now see what we mean by saying that politics is a relational business not employment? Next time if you invite me I will speak truthfully and respectfully as usual. 

 Onye sim ekwule eziokwu yaa nwukwa!