Mbaitoli South Rejects Nlemigbo’s Zoning Of Mbaitoli Council Chairmanship To Mbieri – An Emphatic Rebuttal

BEN AHANONU

The attention of Barrister (Prince) Marcelinus Nlemigbo has been drawn to a spurious and vexatious publication with the caption: “Mbaitoli South Rejects Nlemigbo’s Zoning of Mbaitoli Council Chairmanship to Mbieri,” by an unknown group parading themselves as Mbaitoli South Leaders in one local tabloid, which I do not want to promote by mentioning its name.

The false and reprehensible publication by the brainless impostors masking as Mbaitoli South Leaders is nothing but a calculated, deliberate and mischievous attempt to tarnish the reputable and stainless image of Prince M. O. Nlemigbo built up over the years through meritorious, philanthropic and sacrificial service to humanity but they have failed.

The inconsequential impostors shot themselves in the foot and exposed their wicked inclination by intentionally propagating malicious falsehoods in the so-called publication.

They are desperate and shameless bootlickers, whose stock-in-trade is gossip and baseless allegations.

To put the records straight, the Chairman of the divisive group, one Barrister Chris Nwabia, was made sole administrator of Mbaitoli Local Government when the “clannish” leader, Nlemigbo was the Chairman of the PDP and apex leader of Mbaitoli with the power to make an Mbieri son/daughter the sole administrator. The same “clannish” leader, Nlemigbo was instrumental in his mother-in-law becoming a commissioner during the administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

Other people from Mbaitoli South that have held important positions in the state include; Chief Callistus Ekenze – former Head of Service, Hon. (Chief) Eugene Onyeji – elected member representing Mbaitoli in the Imo House of Assembly from 1999 to 2006, Late Hon. Chief Onyema Nwachukwu, who was the last elected Council Chairman of Mbaitoli, Chief Dr Pat Nna, late Chief Chris Nwaike, Hon. Chief Stephen Odoemenam, Hon. Canice Ugo Mba, Chief Azubuike Nwoka, Hon. John Eke immediate past Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman of Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Professor Emma Duru – former Commissioner and Chief Martin Eke – former Commissioner. Also, Hon. Victor Ndunagu was elected as member representing Mbaitoli in the Imo House of Assembly from 2011 to 2015. In addition, the clerk of Imo State House of Assembly is from Mbaitoli South.

In the light of the foregoing, it is obvious that Barrister Chris Nwabia and his group of impostors are not sincere but on a mission to cause confusion and division in Mbaitoli because their Mbaitoli South has benefitted immensely and more than any other bloc.

One of them called Martin Eke from Ubomiri, who failed as a commissioner, was always coming to Prince Nlemigbo to curry political favour and financial assistance during his brief and inconsequential stint as commissioner for solid minerals where he made zero contribution to the shared prosperity administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma; now, he has suddenly become a ‘tiger’ with unabashed audacity to accuse a man, who has no skeletons in his cupboard of clannishness.

It is pertinent to point out that amongst the entire Imo-nay, Nigerian political class, none arguably is as patient, tolerant, peace-loving, faithful and pragmatic as Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, (Ochiriozuo) – a consummate leader and man of integrity, who so far is the longest serving state party chairman in Nigeria.

He is also a philanthropist of repute and daily attends to the needs of countless poor and underprivileged members of the society irrespective of where they hail from.

In addition, there are over 590 Nigerians on his payroll.

He is a man, who loves to carry people along. A simple man, who is well-endowed. He does not talk too much and whenever he talks, it is with wisdom and in such a way that cannot hurt. In fact, he is as gentle as a dove.

Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, is a great son of Mbieri and Mbaitoli, who literally made himself through dint of hard work, good planning, self-restraint, packaging and grace of the Almighty God.

He is equally a family man, who loves his children and cherishes his wife with passion.

As a politician, Prince Marcel Nlemigbo believes in politics without bitterness. He sees politics as service to humanity, which is often unrewarded. That was why he could serve for so long as the state chairman of one time Africa’s biggest party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with all its attendant problems and also Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and during his tenure, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma emerged as Governor.

As a unifying party chairman and team player, he built bridges across the Imo political divide and united the formidable political forces in the state all through his tenure.

One thing certain is that Nlemigbo is not clannish, has never been clannish and will never be clannish.

Yes, one of the sons Barrister M. Nlemigbo, was appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor just like it was done for other notable stakeholders in Imo State so what is clannish or selfish about that ? It is therefore a demonstration of high level of insensitivity and execrable stupidity for anyone especially the impostors to use that to drag the famous and respected name of Chief Nlemigbo through the mud.

Equally, Nlemigbo has no hand in the appointment of Samuelson as Special Adviser and the fact that these impostors could use that to insult him out points to their level of desperation and unpardonable rascality.

Nlemigbo is not the Governor of Imo State hence on issues of appointments they should have verified with the Governor before jumping into erroneous conclusions. Samuelson is known to the Governor and was appointed to protect the interest of Imo Citizens that are physically challenged.

Regarding the zoning of the Chairmanship position to Mbieri (Mbaitoli East), the true position is that the Deputy Governor is from Mbaitoli South while the member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly is from Mbaitoli North.

Therefore, the Apex Leader of APC in Mbaitoli, Prince Nlemigbo working in agreement with other notable leaders from Mbaitoli decided to zone the Local Government Chairmanship position to Mbieri (Mbaitoli East) with the highest number of registered voters in Mbaitoli to ensure equity, fairness and justice. I wonder how that amounts to marginalization.

The impostors clearly are disrespectful and shameless otherwise they should have honoured the person of the Imo State Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru PhD and her husband, who are from Mbaitoli South and who hold Prince Nlemigbo in high esteem, by refraining from their repugnant grandstanding and monumental wild goose chase.

Indeed, their claim of marginalization is unfounded and obviously fallacious.

While other Mbaitoli leaders, who were given resources for the smooth conduct of elections before the gubernatorial election absconded with it, Prince Nlemigbo, on the contrary, saw that the resources entrusted with him, were judiciously utilized and such resulted in the victory of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in Mbaitoli.

It will shock the hungry and desperate impostors, who are mainly jobless to know that this same Nlemigbo they are trying to vilify in the press and on social media for no justifiable reason, is a father figure for many including my very humble self and was made the apex leader based on his outstanding credentials and track record as an honest and unifying leader. He did not lobby for it and so far has not done anything that will warrant his removal by the Governor.

The impostors and vagrant traducers should hide their faces in shame because the man they are attempting in futility to castigate and show in a bad light is an outstanding and dignified personality, who is respected across Nigeria’s political divide and all over the world.

He has helped and groomed many Mbaitoli and Ikeduru people and Nigerians at large to become successful in life.

I reiterate that Chief Nlemigbo is a good and unbiased leader, never despotic, never clannish, never selfish and an incredible team player, who sees Mbaitoli as one, hence the claim of ‘Ihe Mbieri kwuru ga eme,” is an old and anachronistic cliche that has no relevance in the present day scheme of things and for the shameless impostors, bootlickers to use it to malign Nlemigbo shows their miserable level of stupidity, irritating desperation and unmitigated Mbieriphobism.

Governor Uzodimma knows them already as traitors and dangerous cousins of biblical Judas Iscariot. They have also written their names in the inglorious roll call of”Mbaitoli Hall of Shame” and will never prevail.

Many thanks to God Almighty that Chief M. O. Nlemigbo remains a leader with untainted reputation, a caring father, successful businessman and unifying leader with a beautiful heart and intimidating accomplishments. He is still forgiving, caring, accommodating, tolerant and I will not be surprised if he forgives the so-called Mbaitoli South Leaders and brainless conspirators tomorrow but until that happens, the conspirators, who have turned themselves into political abomination are ostracized.

May God Almighty continue to bless and protect Barrister (Prince) Marcelinus Nlemigbo (Ochiriozuo).

Hon. Prince Ben AHANONU
Chief Press Secretary (CPS)
MARCON Group of Companies.