HON BEDE EKE ➖ THE EMPTY BARREL WITH THE LOUDEST NOISE

MAZI EJIMOFOR OPARA

The advent of the social (unregulated) media, has afforded us the liberty for unrestrained expression of our deepest sentiments. It has also provided an unencumbered platform for the propagation of our personal brand, shore up idiosyncratic lapses and create a dramaturgical image of our hidden realities. Some of us weigh lesser than we are presented here, while so many others are weightier than the modest persona that has been ascribed to us by the virtual populace. In all, there is an inescapable reality that often manifest when our path cross or when we come to grasp each other from less dramatic perspective.

There is so much about Hon Bede that his usual “cyber drama” can change, especially now that he is up against his self inflicted misdemeanor. He tries, albeit, in vain to make his readers and distant observers believe in his imaginary goodwill. Like Cajetan Duke would say, “we only wear cloth to protect our nakedness from public glare, not for  the folks at home who have seen us through and true”. I shuddered when I read one of the usual vainglorious Facebook updates from Oga Bede, arguably written by one of his numerous proxies, where he talked about politics of “lies and sentiments”. Read him below;

_”The politics of lies and sentiments have kept us bound in the murky waters of underdevelopment, hence, the decision to move forward at this time won’t be met without rivalry especially from actors who claim to own us.”_

Interestingly, Bede, in the lines above, captures the very essence of what he represents in the emerging Ngor Okpala leadership mix. It was for lies and sentiments that a man of unverifiable antecedents like Bede Eke would represent noble LGAs like Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala, with the likes of Frank Nneji (genuine Enterpreneur), Chris Anyanwu (renowned journalist), Prof. Jude Njoku (Astute Academician), reverred Academics of Okpala and Alulu extraction and distinguished Entertainers like Stephanie Okereke Linus, Rita Dominic and a host of credible sons and Daughters of the constituency who boast of meaningful livelihoods and enviable records. We are indeed living a politics of lies and sentiments.

Being a Master at tending to political impasse and allowing same to fester, Bede in his devious admonition, to his supporters and spoilers within the APC, advocated for the adoption of sterner insistence on what is politically right. At least to the extent that it serves his inordinate desire to continue this shameful outing at green chamber. Hear him;

_”…I ask that our people, regardless of political party, should come togther to form a *strong voice*. A voice born out of reason, a reason developed from indepth reflections and reflections generated from lessons of the past.”_

The skilful allusion to the slogan STRONG VOICE, resonates the clandestine moves by Bede and the faction of PDP he speaks for, to reach out to some distraught members of the APC under a heinous coalition against what is perceived, by some persons, as the core of the Imo APC crisis. What this means is simple, Bede like the Vulture is patiently waiting to feast on the carcass of a projectively dying APC, as his only assurance for a seamless return to the Federal House – this plan is dead on arrival, trust me. For the reflections on past lessons, we are sure not dumb to forget the only man whose 8 years in the State Assembly was dotted by utter profligacy and pungent debauchery.

Being a veteran in the act of “hoodwinking” people, Bede hurriedly reminds his supporters of a certain promise made earlier in the year. Forgetting how we caught him pants down when he attempted to hoodwink the people into believing that the ongoing Nguru-Umuneke-Etche road was attracted by him. A road we all witnessed its flag off on the 11th of January, 2018, suddenly been raised as a motion for urgent attention in the House proceedings document on the 18th of April, 2018 – about 3 months after. Yet, Oga Bede is a “new man in Christ”. Read him again;

_”Many of my actions like I promised earlier this year, would bring members of the opposition to want to hoodwink you with substandard projects with an aim to make you believe falsehood.”_

He followed this up with a question we all must not only ask the State Government, but pose same to Bede as he has suddenly started building kwako stalls and usurping projects after wasting 8 years in the State Assembly at a time the country enjoyed economic boom.

Oga Bede,  _”why are you remembering our people now?”_

I am happy Bede recognises that Ngor Okpala/Aboh Mbaise, as a constituency, has a “pristine” identity. I must remind him, however, that this pristine identity came as a result of the hard work of the Ukegbus of this world, the likes of Frank Nneji, Prof Jude, Prof Okere, Dr Sam Amadi, Perpetual Nkwocha, Mr Kenedy Opara and other constituents with credible antecedents. Not by the shameful activities of retired Fraudsters and Academic nitwits who may not be too dissimilar from the angle he is coming from. An angle he has decided to leave unsaid, in spite of far reaching inquisition.

Finally, Bede admonishes thus;

_”Let my conduct inspire you in the battle for development, let my actions serve as your compass to do even more…”_

This too can come from Evans the kidnapper if Abba Kyari had not burst his bubbles. I wonder how the action of a man with everything deceitful can inspire any sane mind, except for those impressionable young persons who have found an ignominious career in graft.

➖ I wonder how a Bede, whose past dreads even the Devil, can speak of his actions inspiring anyone.

➖ I wonder how a Bede, who only does projects that are of less value to the people, enriching his narcissist inclinations and abandoning the core of our challenges, can speak of inspiring a youth with  high level of intellection.

➖ I wonder how a Bede, with no meaningful livelihood, before and even after politics can speak of inspiring the good people of Ngor Okpala /Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency.

The year 2019 stares us in the face. A vote for Bede is a vote of no confidence on Legitimate hard work.

*#NgorOkpalaDeservesBetter*