By Izuoma Ibe
Let me put it this way, when two men are always right, no man is right. But when both men are wrong, reality is yet to be revealed. The ‘seeming’ feud between some men who would pass as fathers of Abia State and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of the state, fits into the picture of two men who are yet to own up to their true personalities to put an end to their differences. That may be too straight, but it is less impressing that kings could be waiting for another king from Venus to come into their feud. Maybe, they are waiting for a yet to be born Abian to mend them up. But who will that be and how right are they in their wait? Would they still be proud fathers of the state after the child had reconciled them?
I would not want to be driven by the urge to heap praises on these men or talk them down on areas where they have fallen short with regard to governing Abia State, representing Abia State or leading Abia State but emphasis should be given to the fact that their face-off is a persisting towering political divide in Abia State.
Between 1999 and 2007, Abia State was in one political kettle, hardly does any other political party bulldoze into the political stream of the state smilingly. But today, politics has fallen apart such that even the centre can be tossed around by a political party that had no root in the state. Really, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scaled through All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by a hair breath. Yes, as it has, would it in 2019? We shall all see!
The harmony, which Abia State enjoyed in the first two administrations in this present democratic dispensation cannot be mentioned without commenting on the political romance that existed in the state when no man was ‘actually’ against another, unlike today when men are against men. There was reality in political fights. I am used to being a political news fan of Abia State, not just because that is my state but for the fact that there used to be beauty in the political drives on the scene. Every move was well calculated, not just to gang up against a particular fellow rather, they were all moves strictly for political maneuvers.
I still can recall the days when Kalu was receiving and also throwing political darts from the then Abuja-based politicians; Ojo Maduekwe, Adolfus Wabara, and the likes. It was an open battle. People may have forgotten the political move also to unseat Kalu, as presented by the Federal Government in the person of a non Abian, Chris Uba, who swore to demean Kalu’s power in the state. Kalu vowed to crush him and did.
That was done within the ambits of politics. Had he not crushed all others from the state, would the Federal Government have changed tactics by bringing a foreigner? But why will dogs eat dogs in Abia? Why can’t politics be played within the ambits of politics without scaling into personal issues.
If Kalu played politics or governed Abia State in a manner that more attention was paid to the ‘poor,’ which brought about his being attacked by the ‘rich,’ why won’t that be over now he is out of power? If Kalu enthroned a person, who wasn’t their choice as his successor, why won’t the ‘beef’ be over now they have dined and are still dining with the fellow without Kalu in the picture? The more this rift lingers, the wider the political gulf in Abia State widens; a doom to many whom it will swallow untimely and surprisingly.
If these men are all right and Kalu is also right, then are Abians whom they have governed and leading the ones wrong? Suffice to say that, hidden lies the truth while lies and deceit are thrown to the media and passed through propaganda and forced down the minds of Abians.
It is a known fact that Kalu has always pleaded his innocence, in the face of these dart-strikes, but can anyone be a saint? I know the answer is no. But those who are striking from all angles at one fellow, why the gang up on Kalu? Would we say that when people are publicly executed for crimes, which they committed or not that there are no people also stealing at the same time from people at the same scene who are carried away by the event? Does that give a picture of Abia? Who will be that ‘Jesus’ who would ask these people if they have not done same as this woman has done…?
What more can be done to a man for an offence he (may) have committed? What offence cannot be forgiven by men who teach their children to love one another, as admonished by God but yet they still have an enemy out there? Can any of these men come out and state the fact that ‘this is why I am against Orji Uzor Kalu’?
I am not and would not hold brief for Kalu because I know, truly, that he must have, at some point, offended these men. I still will state that some offences may be oversight. Were they not oversights? Then, come to the open and tell the world what offence Kalu has committed that you cannot forgive. You take communion in the church. I know many of you are church elders, deacons and the likes but what have you to prove that enmity is wrong in Christendom?
The polarisation in Abia politics, which this seeming feud has ignited and sustaining, will lead to a permanent political dent in Abia State. The fact that you all are mute on this issue has made Kalu nothing but a bride to the people who are today showering him with much more love than before.
Go through the votes cast. Kalu dealt with cabals like they didn’t exist. But their power is on ‘cabalism.’ If a select few of you guys will always be denying Abians their rightful leaders and representatives, how fair are you all to Abians. How would posterity judge you all? I recall your hasty and immature moves to ensure that Kalu did not return to the PDP. I recall the 1, 000 military men deployed in Abia North alone just to stop Kalu from going to the Senate in 2011. I recall all manner of lies fed through the media to undermine Kalu. I recall all manner of character assassination aimed at the person of Kalu; but let me ask, have you people stated truly that you have not plotted for once to delete him? But why?
One will not be wrong to believe that all these attacks are borne out of jealousy or fear of Kalu. Yes, jealousy and fear. Kalu is more loved and very enterprising. He has nothing to beg anyone, hence his dogged determination to speak out even if the little peanut will go the other way.
Yes, you fear Kalu because he himself is fearless and could bulldoze his way to any point without bribing any fellow, as his charisma and tact carry him. It should be a wonder to you all that with all the state and federal might to haunt him down, he still flies and makes waves in Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. Just a mere knowledge that he is making a passage on the streets makes for a stampede. A car with the inscription of Kalu will always bring a smile to the face of Abians, who always would mutter words: ‘There is no governor like Kalu.’ It is no longer news that Abians cry for his return as governor.
Kalu is a man just like Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Theodore A. Orji, Ojo Maduekwe, Patience Jonathan, Bola Tinubu, Adolfus Wabara, even me and you. Tell him in secret or openly that which he has done you wrong. He has been writing, speaking to the world that you all are holding him down. Are you guys gagged? Come out and say his offence. You don’t want to join words with him? Soon Abians will come after you.
• Ibe wrote from Port Harcourt via [email protected].