Nothing Good Comes Easy – Sen. Victor Umeh As Case Study

CHARLES IFEANYI OBI

In the history of Anambra Central since the inception of democracy, there were never incidents as the travails and tussle underwent by Senator Victor Umeh in clasping the senatorship position which he first vied in 2015 but lost to a daylight injustice carried out by the then dominant People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“When the leopard has a broken paw, the antelope comes to collect an old debt”, the opposition saw an unmerited opportunity but undeterred by such depravity and fiendishness that characterised the PDP, Chief Sir Victor Umeh summoned courage and as a strong man he is, was ready to sacrifice whatever it needed to dislodge them even in their impunity. All this he did but through lawful processes as he played deaf to all persuasions that would’ve hampered the peace and lawfulness of the good people of Anambra Central.

Like the patient dog… he waited on, persistently, courageously and overall, prayerfully. Thanks to the ever supportive wife, Chief Mrs Prisca Umeh (Osodieme) who often stay around with a white handkerchief to wipe away sweat and tears (when necessary). Sen. Umeh was able to stand brave in the huddles of litigations filed by a perversive cohort within Anambra Central and one after another, he surmounted all to emerge winner as declared by the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja on the 20th of November 2017.

In all these however, Senator Victor Umeh cramped firm his Vision just as Mary held Her Son Jesus from the elimination by king Herod. But an Igbo parable says “Ugo chara acha adi(ghi) echu echu”, another says “Onwu egbuchughi ji e jiri chu aja, e mesie o pue ome”( things will eventually improve despite the present challenges), he remained optimistic and urged ndị Anambra Central to follow him patiently even when there were no doubts that many had lost hope… The conspiracy grew in momentum every passing day that the saboteurs operating behind the scene later surfaced to the shock of the people. That notwithstanding, Chief Victor Umeh surged on like a heart of a warrior; he neither rested on his oars.

When they failed to stop him, Ohamadike Ndigbo was yet ‘on the edge’ as to justify the confidence of the people which saw him through after three years of curfufle. The 7-over-7 landslide victory with which he won the January 13th rerun election could be interpreted as a subtle for a stake in the promised unprecedented representation. Consequently, after the President of the Senate, Senator Bukora Saraki administered the oath of office confirming him a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the (Thursday) 18th January plenary, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh has ‘true to his words’ conducted himself in a manner that distinguishes him amongst others and obviously spurs other South East senators into a common objective. There is no gainsaying also that Ohamadike’s entry into the senate, his influence and vocal might had stirred others to relative performance and a sense of competition.

Nevertheless, Senator Umeh’s legendary dispositions from week one is such that perplexes the people as never was there any stringent and sincere representation since the creation of the zone (arguably, South East).

Senator Umeh’s penchant for equity for the Igbos in Nigeria is one agenda that remains afloat in his performance thereby vindicating those who yelled day and nights announcing his mission and vision as an “Igbo agenda”. Furthermore, Senator Victor Umeh, a grandeur, a man with political nimbus to lead APGA to a height at the center has further consolidated the strength of the party not only by leading the campaign that returned Governor Willie Obiano to a 21/21 grand victory but the metamorphosis increasing its number and acceptance in the national assembly and national politics in general.

At this juncture, it is an established fact that just as evil would always dare to prevent good from prevailing, those who dared (and still daring) to stop Senator Victor Umeh are the real enemies of ndị Igbo and as such must be held responsible for their actions. There is no doubt in the fact that the emergence of Senator Victor Umeh is the beginning of a new era in the history of Igbo nation; one which generations shall remember and enjoy its benefits. In the two motions he sponsored and cosponsored, he makes a case for “the urgent need to include the Eastern Rail Lines in the Nigerian Railway Development Project” and for the establishment of a Federal University of Education in Aguleri, Anambra State respectively… Both similar, essential and youth-oriented.

Interestingly, the senator has earnestly began allocation of constituency projects, empowerment programs, scholarships for students and job opportunities for the youth in a manner that is transparent and credible unlike the shenanigans that characterised previous regimes.

Regrettably, he has only one year and few months left to serve after loosing years in the battle; while many (groups and individuals) are already giving consensus consents for his automatic return in 2019, some of those who once disparaged the zone are again floating campaign organs to continue in their insensitivity and malevolence against the peace and progress of Anambra Central.

Truly, nothing good comes easy; our people says “Onye hapu onu ya, uguru arachaa ya”, Distinguished Senator Victor Umeh has carved a niche for himself by distinguishing himself in the service of his nation… “Ọkụkọ mmanya na-egbu ahubeghi mmanwulu ara na-ayi” I urge the people of Anambra Central to remain steadfast in support of Senator Dr. Victor Umeh OFR (Ohamadike Ndigbo) as the best is yet to be heard of him… We should not be deceived by the pretense of those who only wish to enrich themselves with our common patrimony. Very soon, he would create a blueprint for legislators to emulate. Another first from Anambra/APGA.

A word is enough for the wise…

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