Abia PDP And Ikpeazu Desperation Tactics
I am beginning to feel like like Michael Coleone in the movie “The Godfather Part 11” in which he complained to an associate that, “each time , he felt like getting out of the mafia business, he gets dragged in again”. So it is with me. Each time I feel like putting on the brakes on my criticisms of the PDP in Abia state and by extension the Ikpeazu administration, they say or do something outrageous that folks like me are forced to comment on it.
What raised my ire this time around is the recent accusation by the Abia Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Bonnie Iwuoha to the effect that the APGA party was sponsoring the protests by the Indigenous people Of Biafra IPOB and Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State Of Biafra. MASSOB. Which are calling for the independent state of Biafra. Mark his words, his ‘suspicion” ( not fact based )is that some disgruntled elements in the opposition party, APGA are the ones responsible for the action of these youths which according to him was aimed at destabilizing the Ikpeazu administration. Which begs the question, who will want to destabilize an already confused out-going administration?
On reading the comments by Mr Iwuoha which were made last Sunday during an interview, I was shocked beyond belief that a state commissioner for information who should be a harbinger of the truth could stoop so low as to make such a baseless and irresponsible accusation. After the appellate court ruling, I knew the Ikpeazu band of sycophants would become desperate. It’s just that I did not believe they would get this desperate for public sympathy as well as seeking compassion from the APC federal government. I guess they believe that by publicly expressing their faith and commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria and by accusing the APGA party of being inimical to peace and stability, the Buhari administration will look at their plight more favorably and somehow order the supreme court justices to return them to power.
No wonder, it is said that “ a desperate politician is a sorry sight to behold”. These people just have no shame. This is the same administration who never during the past few months, since the beginning of the Biafra protests ever made an official statement indicating their support or displeasure one way or the other or call for the release of Nnamdi Kalu . To now suddenly wake up from their self- induced slumber and profess their fidelity to a united Nigeria is not only a huge joke but epitomizes the last grasp of fresh air by a drowning man. Yes, it is true that the late Ikemba, Chief Emeka ojukwu was one of the founding fathers of the APGA party, his role in the civil war notwithstanding, it is rather disingenuous and despicable to accuse a party that he helped form to be associated with the on-going Biafra secession protests. As a matter of fact, the APGA party and its officials have stayed clear of the Biafra issue and instead have been busy trying to build a more national party. So to try to link it to these demonstrations is not only asinine but irresponsible.
Just when you think the ex-globally hated and despised Governor, Mr T A Orji and the equally despised ex-defense Minister, Col Akobundu should be in hiding, here they are crawling out from their hibernating closets to talk about disenfranchisement of the Ngwa people and the denial of their turn at governing the state as if the zoning arrangement made by the state PDP should be binding on all Abians and every other political party in the state. It is rather funny that the man who now talks about equity never had much use for the word during his 8 year stint as Governor. If he knew the meaning of the word equity, he would have left Aba a better town than it is today. He would have paid workers their salaries and not rig his way into the senate. Is it not hypocritical that a man who gained political ascendancy due to his expertise in rigging elections from his role in Orji Uzor kalu’s emergence as Governor to that of Ikpeazu would lecture us about disenfranchising voters? The man belongs in jail and the earlier the EEFC apprehends him the better for us all, for Abians are tired of seeing his face and his trademark red cap.
I am one of those who had always thought that to be able to practice a true Federal system of Government, state Governments should be allowed to run and manage their own police departments. But considering the recent use of the police to muzzle and prevent the APGA folks from hosting a praise and worship rally in Aba, I do not think it’s a good idea. When I talk about an administration acting desperate, what other prove does anyone need to confirm that the Ikpeazu out-going regime is beginning to lose its mind and whatever little legitimacy it has left. They are going cuckoo. As usual they are setting the template for political criminality by preventing a duly registered and functioning party from holding a rally , albeit a religious one. I hope the national officials of the PDP are watching carefully, because sooner or later both the APC and APGA governments in other states would do the same thing to them. I hope all those PDP officials and supporters in Abia who are applauding this political recklessness by their party would tolerate the same treatment being meted to them in the future by the incoming APGA administration.
Regarding the Information Commissioner and his fellow band of media assistant, if there is one thing I find offensive, it is their heroic attempts at and disloyalty to factual accuracy. To Mr Bonnie iwuoha, I say, shame on you, by setting such a standard, for such outlandishness and reference point of divisiveness, you are digging an even bigger hole of national disrespect and disrepute for both yourself and your principal.
For a Governor who I believe sells himself as being smart with a PhD , he is so dumb to allow you to make such a slanderous allegation. It is so easy to see from your comments that there is an emotional disconnection between you and the accusation you levelled against APGA.I short, I am not even sure you actually believed the accusations and the lies yourself, nor have faith in the man you are fighting for.
I can feel your pain, Mr Iwuoha,, your desolation, your resignation to the inevitable, and the exasperation of wondering how long you will continue with these lies. It is also very unfortunate that you have to fight to make yourself relevant considering the fact that your colleague, the commissioner for Works, who owns a radio station has practically usurped your duties, as well as funneling all the funds that would normally go to BCA to his radio station, thereby denying you of your own cut of the advertisement funds. But take heart, the end of your tenure is near and certain, just don’t make anymore outrageous comments and allegations you cannot back up or make a fool of yourself that you lose whatever credibility you have left.
Nnanna Ijomah Is a resident Of New York City.
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