Ahead Of 2023: Uche Ogbuagu And The Battle For Political Survival
NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA
Nigerian politics is about warfare. From the first day you won your election till the last day you are done with your tenure, if allowed to complete it by the cabal; presumed godfathers, political detractors, opponents and household enemies (envious political associates); who do not want you to climb higher than the limit they have consciously or unconsciously placed on your political sojourn and trajectory.
After winning your elections, you must fight to secure your victory if challenged in Court by your closet rival, who may not be comfortable with the conduct of the election over alleged electoral irregularities and sharp practices by the electoral umpire. You must also fight to protect your mandate from the same electorate or political structure who may later gang up against you to either pull you down or push forward for your recall from the House; as in the case of elected legislators.
From the above narrative, one can also say without sounding immodest that “Life itself is endless battle and conflict”. However, you cannot fight very effectively unless you can identify your enemies; including your friends who disguise their real intentions pretending to be on your side.
Therefore, it is no longer breaking news that the Honourable Member representing Ikeduru Constituency and Majority Leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Amb .Uche Ogbuagu, has been given a political head butt and red card as he was unanimously impeached by the APC Caucus members of the Imo State House of Assembly through a Vote -of -No -Confidence for alleged insubordination, unparliamentary conduct and arrogation of power of superiority over his colleagues; given his popularity, reach, social contacts, political mileage and relative financial power: which the conservatives and pundits alleged he made through Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate during their robust and aggressive nationwide campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan ‘s reelection bid in 2015 general elections.
But during our investigation, a source had disclosed that the impeached Majority Leader, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, may not have been on the same page with the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, whom our source said is working hand-in-glove with Governor Hope Uzodinma, who directs and redirects the affairs of the leadership of the House rather than making it truly independent as a separate Arm of the Government. The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, was also not spared as they accused him of hijacking the leadership of the House.
While many, on hearing about the news with benefit of hindsight, had rushed to the social media to hurriedly break it, I had however, taken note of a number of accompanying misleading story lines by these news agents and interested parties:
Saharareporters.com unfortunately, joined the bandwagon of those who hurriedly published the story without crosschecking the facts, as the popular online media outfit reported that the embattled former Majority Leader, Uche Ogbuagu, was impeached because he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC; which was quite untrue and unfounded.
Ironically, a handful of mischievous paid media hirelings from the other faction of the APC had ever since the incident took place, taken to their usual popular market of propaganda which quoted Hon. Uche Ogbuagu of saying that, “He was impeached because he vehemently refused to move a motion to unlawfully attack Senator Rochas Okorocha’s private property”.
– Source: Ugwumba Uche Nwosu’s Medi Aide.
A source, which strongly pleaded for anonymity disclosed that a rather starchy and opinionated Uche Ogbuagu; an ace comedian and popular radio talk show personality before his foray into politics, unconsciously made derogatory remarks about the Shared Prosperity Administration under Governor Hope Uzodinma, in a form of satirical comedy or call it ‘expensive jokes’. Ever since that incident, he was penciled down for relegation (to a Division 2 Club) as an ordinary member of the House.
Save for dancing to the tune of the State Government since he left his calling as a social crusader and voice of the voiceless, Uchechukwu Nwa Ogbuagu had remained the toast and darling of the down trodden as he used his comedy and radio talk show to press home their challenges. Regrettably, he inadvertently lost his voice, his support base and growing popularity the moment he started dancing ‘shaku-shaku’ with politicians and State governors.
Having tasted the euphoria of power, with the fame that comes with public office, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu now wanted something higher; a new experience, a new horizon, a new vista, a larger platform that could sell him faster order than being just a House of Assembly member in Imo State. His next political movement therefore, becomes on how best to galvanize support from the grassroots and succeed Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba, member representing Mbaitoli /Ikeduru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who shall be completing his second tenure of 8 years in office by 2023.
Unfortunately, Uche Ogbuagu’s ambition beclouded his sense of tactical politics as he is reportedly accused of being so much in a hurry and relatively desperate as he throws caution to the wind to host different support groups, who are rallying support for his House of Representatives ambition. Has he hidden this good intention? The answer is emphatic no, giving the pundits enough room to misrepresent such ambition as political overzealousness.
While Uche Ogbuagu has some scores to settle with select leaders of Ikeduru LGA, who had accused him of overbearing attitude towards leadership, others have also opined that, “He broke the First Law of Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power; Never Outshine The Master”.
Highly cerebral, sound, eloquent and vibrant, Hon. Amb. Uche Ogbuagu does not look like a legislator that a State Governor could pocket, especially, when the Chief Executive Officer of the state does not play by the rules of the game.
The Ikeduru born ace comedian turned politician has a lot of things working for him. He has reach, wider audience, and strong presence in the State with three radio stations to his business profile and two in Abia State.
He is not your everyday politician, who depends on monthly allowance for survival like a number of his colleagues. Uche Ogbuagu is already made and blessed in every sense of it.
“He is not a professional politician, but a professional in politics.”
In terms of oversight and spread of constituency projects, he has done remarkably well and remained outstanding; constructing roads, building markets, donating to charity, empowering mass of the members of his Ikeduru Constituency, encouraging youth development through sports and functional skills acquisition, etc. It may be hard to displace such a man except God permits that for a purpose!
Nonetheless, throughout the course of our lives, we inevitably have to deal with a variety of individuals, who stir up trouble, make our lives difficult and unpleasant. There are also experiences that tend to bring one’s morale down. No doubt, Hon. Uche Ogbuagu is going through that phase of his political life as the odds seem to be against him.
A House of Assembly, which can neither stand his overbearing attitude nor tolerate his alleged insubordination. Ikeduru leadership, which does not like his political over speeding disposition. A State Governor, who may not be too comfortable with his untamed audacity and outspokenness.
Meanwhile, as Uche Ogbuagu is still licking his political wounds by today’s ugly experience, Rt. Hon. Henry Nwawuba may be celebrating wherever he is as the political ambition of his closest rival for a possible third term ambition has been seriously punctured.
Never say never as Uche Ogbuagu may stage a surprise in the State as the political storms are already gathering with his unceremonious impeachment in place of Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, member representing Owerri West Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.
The days ahead shall be interesting!
Let the political melodrama begin!
- Njoku Macdonald Obinna
Media Consultant|PR-Expert,
Publisher, 4thestatereporters.com
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