Maduka Clement
With the 2019 general elections around the corner, politicians intending to run for one position or another have started consulting with their constituents and stakeholders in a bid to get their nods, and conviction to go and represent them. For whatever reason, none has generated attention like the aspiration of Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, the Chief of Staff to Imo State Government and son-in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Nwosu from indications is verifiably the most popular and preferred candidate of Imo youths and majority of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful in the state. This could be judged from the acceptance and endorsement he has received from the youths, academia, artisans, women, students, the political class, and indeed a wide spectrum of Imo people, which is unprecedented in the annals of the political history of the state. Today, he is like a movement traversing the entire polity called Imo state.
Like in every political tussle, there is bound to be opposition; some are contenders, political jobbers, while some others claim on grounds of equity and good conscience. In this instance, those gunning for Nwosu’s head for daring to aspire to be Imo governor tackle him that he is inexperienced; others say his election would amount to third term for Owelle Okorocha.I shall situate the reasons aforementioned. First, it is noteworthy that APC governorship aspirants in Imo State have failed to tell the world how incompetent Nwosu is, judging from the various political positions he has held and is still holding in the state.
The second group is made up of those who always oppose not because they have genuine reasons, but merely because they make a living out of it. This group has their slogan as ‘Any Government in Power’ (AGIP); they are for nobody except their stomach interest.
Three, protagonists who hinged their grounds on equity and good conscience, should have got some sympathy, but the same group brashly murdered the equity and good conscience card just because of their selfish interest in the past. But now that it seems unfavourable to them, they have quickly changed tune and started clamouring for equity. He that goes to equity must not only have clean hands, but must also do equity. They hinge their reasons for opposing because Okorocha and Nwosu are from the same senatorial zone. They forgot that there is no zoning arrangement in Imo State. Some of them went to the House of Representatives thrice; some of them fought incumbent governors then even when they were from the same zone, plotted on how to remove them despite pleas from well-meaning citizens of the zone. Some have benefitted from Okorocha in the past, ahead of others, empowered more than others, given national honours; then the governor was the best man.
The scholars of good conscience said Owelle wants to install his family member Nwosu. Is there anything bad about that, since it has been the practice in Imo state before Okorocha? Even in America it is like a practice direction, the Bushes, Clintons have tried it out. Uche Nwosu is qualified to run for the governorship of Imo state so being the governor’s son-in-law is not a constitutional minus.
I am not a close associate of the Nwosu, though we had worked together during the 2011 elections, he was the Special Assistant to Okorocha, and yours truly was the Special Assistant to Prof Anthony Anwukah, then Director General of Rochas Campaign Organization a.k.a Rescue Mission. In fact, Nwosu was virtually in charge of the operational part of the campaign, arranging the rallies, vehicles, venues, organization of the youths etc. The present Deputy Governor who was Okorocha’s chief of staff, at some point was off the scene for reason beyond his control, and the election was won in his absence. If Nwosu was not efficient and effective, he would not have functioned the way he did during that campaign and election proper, as the closest aide of Okorocha.
The mistake some agitators against Nwosu make is that they have not pried or seen him beyond being the son-in-law of the governor. This has beclouded their reasoning and thinking to assess what the man of the moment has that stands him out.
It was the APC faithful that endorsed Nwosu and told the Governor they want him to succeed him, contrary to insinuation making the round that Okorocha is trying to foist Nwosu on Imolites. The young man is humility personified, has listening ear, not tired of attending to people’s needs irrespective of political linings, zone or position in the society. A strong believer in empowering people, he has redefined the axiom that a friend in power is a lost friend, as he still keeps his friends and course mates in the university days till date.
The secret behind the Nwosu’s success story is his sense of reasoning, humour, candour, resilience, focused and tenacity of purpose which has stood him out. Imolites would want the free education to continue, the developmental strides in the state, they would want a man who will sustain the demystification of office of the Governor
Ugwumba Nwosu, do not be deterred, down-spirited, disturbed about the campaign of calumny, the more they gather, the more they scatter, and the more advantageous it turns out in your favour; because the battle is of the Lord. Power is given by God. No amount of blackmail and propaganda will stop you because it is a divine mandate. Politics is done in Imo State; not Abuja, if Uche Nwosu is unpopular; let your PVC demonstrate it not propaganda. Your followership has defied party affiliation, as many organizations, has queued behind you. Be strong and of good courage, in one way they shall gather but in seven ways they shall scatter because the Lord God shall continue to be with you. It shall come to pass!
Clement writes from Owerri