By Ellis Ugwoke
About two weeks ago the media, especially the print and social media, was awash with news that Chijioke Edoga the runners up in the PDP Governorship primaries for Enugu state was now the Labour party candidate for the State. The noise generated by this news was so huge that even the politically ‘ wise’ and ‘prudent’ suffered momentary shock and joined albeit in default, the celebration of illusion and fantasy. As Dr Esiaba Irobi would say in his, ‘Fronded Circle’, The dance was yet to begin and the young antelope has danced his legs to pieces. What then will happen when the flute of essence begins to call the tune and the potent drums agog in ecstatic frenzy? Politics is a game of surprises and intrigues,true but it is not won on the crest of momentary madness
The noise has long died down and reason has begun to resonate like the fragrance from a Christmas kitchen. And as reason began to overwhelmed the noise let’s spare a moment for sober reflection and ask some salient questions.
What is the place of Labour party in the state compared to PDP? What are the pedigrees of the flag bearers and who are behind them? Above all what do the people want and who can best guarantee them? Let’s look at it from the 3Ps of Parties, Persons and Process.
THE PARTIES
Comparing PDP and Labour Party in the State is like comparing the sun and a lantern in terms of illumination. While the sun has a universal coverage the lamp can barely illuminate a room. In fact Labour Party in Enugu State is a political orphan; no father, no mother or sibling of note safe for opportunist and political drop outs who are hoping for a slip to grab a bite. Labour party has suddenly gained attention at the national level because of the character and personae of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate. But Edoga is not cut in that garb and character. He in fact exudes the direct opposite. Our current political maturity has transcended primitive bandwagon and blind attachment to primordial sentiments. We now know better and eagerly pose the question: beyond the party, who is the person?
THE PERSONS
While Peter Mba of the PDP has played active and effective roles in public service, emerging the best among his colleagues and left when the ovation was loudest to carve yet an unparalleled niche in the private sector, Edoga has remained largely in the public domain, hopping around in circles seeking political favours from the masters of the game. He cuts a picture of an insatiable opportunist, lacking initiative and valour but lurking in the shadows for a man of the moment to ingratiate himself into his service. Perhaps it is this insatiable taste for the allures of power and blind ambition or more likely, share nativity and political immaturity that pushed him into licking his spittle. He chose to declare otherwise after pledging his support for Peter Mba and handing over his erstwhile Media Team to him (Mba). This is politically inscrutable and morally unjustifiable. Could it be the spirit of ‘ajija’ ( as my brother Reuben would posit) or mother providence separating the chaff from the grain? Greed and gullibility are double cannons that shoots down the unstable.
Beyond the towering credentials of Peter Mba compared to Chijioke Edoga, the pillar behind the PDP and Mba, His Excellency, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is too rooted in the hearts of the people to warrant a Labour challenge. The challenge is therefore dead on arrival.
THE PROCESS
The process that produced the PDP candidate is untainted, populous and mass oriented while that of Labour is an afterthought , an ambush and premeditated subterfuge occasioned to play the spoiler and derail the will of the people. The holy book says in psalm 35, ‘when the enemy lay a trap for me, they shall fall into it themselves’. And so it is with the infidel.
It is said that when a child is too young to avenge the death of his father and yet like an ostrich, insists on embarking on the suicidal enterprise, his kinsmen should begin to dig his grave in advance for his death is already determined. Let Labour ask the APC and let Edoga enquire from Ideke the faith of recalcitrant opposition in the state. He who has not heard the story of ‘Nwa dimoji ogoro’ has the elephant trampled on his ears?
THE VERDICT
Now that Edeoga has secured a ticket (I hear that the ticket is as shaky as Parkinson’s syndrome) the die is cast. Let the best emerge. A popular refrain after the the PDP primaries was that His Excellency has deceived his brother (Chijioke) and ‘sold’ the ticket to the highest bidder. All entreaties to the contrary fell on deaf ears of the clannish apologists.
Everywhere in Nigeria outgoing governors always try to impose their relations ( where possible)or trusted but submissive ally ( where there is no qualified relative) to cover their back and protect them from the backlash of power. But here is a Governor (His Excellency, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) who would rather prefer a more qualified ‘ ‘outsider’ than a qualified but bereft ‘brother’. This alone speaks volumes about the character and candour of His Excellency. He has been very close to his ‘ brother’ and knows him more than his traducers could admit. It is certain that all that glitters is not gold. It is folly to strive for bronze where gold is possible. His Excellency has taken a decision that is at the best interest of the State even against what would have been to his personal advantage. History will be very kind to him as unfolding events are already laying credence.
