Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma Remains Ikenga Ugochinyere’s All-time Superior 

First, was what he called “Omuma Magic,” alleging that Gov. Uzodimma manipulated  voters’ register to his benefit but this the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, debunked swiftly; next was that Uzodimma has been fuelling crisis in Imo State – and I shuddered with disbelief because it is unimaginable that a Governor, who wants his state to experience real development, which will foster enduring prosperity will also bring  terrorists to destabilize it – sounds absurd.

Thereafter, Ugochinyere accused Imo State Government under the visionary leadership of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma of plotting to assassinate him – then I ask for what? Is he worth it? Kill him for what?

Indeed, there was a reported attack on his country home earlier this year by some wicked and heartless gunmen, who do not deserve to be in existence but instead of allowing the security agencies especially the Nigeria Police do thorough investigation, Ikenga Ugochinyere hurriedly came up with the unsubstantiated conclusion that agents of the state government were behind the deadly and reprehensible attack on his country home.

Strangely, the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area, Chris Ohizu, was murdered in the most gruesome manner with his head severed by savages without any modicum of humanity few days after the attack on the country home of Ugochinyere and the notable angle is that the Governor and Government of Imo State did not accuse anyone particularly for being responsible for the assassination of the Sole Administrator of Ideato North Local Government Area, who was a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Apart from Chris Ohizu – (may his gentle soul rest in peace), many prominent APC members and supporters of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, have been murdered in cold blood but the government of Imo State did not accuse anyone.

I wonder why the Governor or anyone will want to kill Ugochinyere whose case is likened to the proverbial tiny bird called waxbill or “nwanza,” who thought it will be bigger than its mother after growing feathers.

Doubtless, Ikenga Ugochinyere is of no consequence and does not deserve the attention he is seeking with his pointless accusations that have earned him much notoriety in Nigeria.

The latest in his series of accusations is that  Governor Uzodimma caused the downfall of Sen. Dr. Abdullahi Adamu, who resigned recently as the Chairman of the APC.

When I read the press release signed  by Ugochinyere, I felt really bad because it was filled with odious falsehood and indecency unbecoming of a representative of the proud Ideato Nation at the Federal House of Representatives.

It is abundantly clear that Ugochinyere has no legislative agenda for Ideato Federal Constituency and he will fail  because of his preoccupation with fruitless hatred for Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, that has blurred his vision and made him so perverse that one wonders if he is running mad.

The truth is that In March 2022, Adamu emerged as APC Chairman by consensus as endorsed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, about two years after the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) – Uzodimma had no hand in that.

On July 4, 2023, Adamu rejected the list of principal officers for the 10th National Assembly (NASS) announced by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas for reasons best known to him and Governor Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

On July 12, 2023, on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Omisore labelled the Vice-Chairman of the party in the North-West, Salihu Lukman as “black sheep”.

Meanwhile, some members of the NWC had been at loggerheads with Adamu, whom they accused of running the party as a one-man show.

For instance, Salihu Lukman, the national vice chairman(North-west) of the party, had repeatedly called for the removal of Adamu and Omisore.

He accused the both of them of violating the constitution of the party and operating an opaque financial system.  At some point, he took legal action against the NWC – again,  Uzodimma had no hand in it.

Ugochinyere said: “After Adamu’s resignation Uzodimma should be next. Tinubu has to complete the cleansing to avoid further sabotage and instigation against him now and in the near future. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State can manipulate the minds of new governors.

“ I think the ruling party made a wrong decision in choosing Uzodimma as Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum. I therefore advise President Tinubu and the Department of State Services to politically cut him to size before he brings the leadership rascality he currently displays in Imo to the national level.”

Unfortunately, Ugochinyere displayed pure insanity and stupidity with the foregoing claims because they are entirely false .

Why is Ikenga Ugochinyere so worried and incensed at the emergence of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma as the Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF)?

It is obvious that he is envious of the rising national profile of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and embittered because his fake rantings, false accusations and grandstanding against the God-sent Uzodimma have all come to nothing but it is the Lord’s doing far beyond the reach of Ugochinyere and which mere envy and jealousy cannot stop.

If I may ask,  is Ugochinyere also a Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu? What about the legislative assignment for Ideato Federal Constituency?

One thing certain is that there has been a cold war between Tinubu and Adamu since the former governor of Nasarawa State was elected party chairman in March 2022 – Gov. Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

The last straw was Adamu’s failure to account for the N32 billion raised by the party from the sale of forms for the 2023 general election – Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

Sensing the move to remove him, Adamu had reportedly sought the support of the chairmen of the state chapters of the party but received a cold shoulder – Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

By the APC constitution, proceeds from the sale of forms were supposed to be shared with the zonal, state and ward levels of the party, but they were not in the know.

Ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Tinubu complained bitterly that he was being betrayed despite the fact that a gentleman’s agreement was sealed in 2015 for him to succeed Buhari – Uzodimma knew nothing about that.

In the week of the primary election, Adamu informed NWC members that Ahmad Lawan, then senate president, was Buhari’s preferred presidential candidate.

The move was met with protests and condemnation from some quarters, but he stood his ground – Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

Tinubu would go on to lose the presidential election in Nasarawa State, where Adamu was governor from 1999 to 2007 – Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

When the 10th National Assembly was about to be inaugurated, it was the APC leadership that was supposed to work behind the scenes for the leadership election but Adamu and Omisore remained aloof. In fact, it was a known fact that Adamu was supporting Abdulaziz Yari – Gov. Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

When the issue of N32 billion was eventually presented to Tinubu, he gave the go-ahead for the party to remove Adamu “legally.” Again, Uzodimma had nothing to do with that.

Now, the question is how did Uzodimma cause the downfall of Adamu as Chairman of the APC?

Curiously, Ugochinyere is blind to the truth that there is tremendous socio-economic and infrastructural development taking place in Imo State under Uzodimma.

Ugochinyere is blind to the fact that Imo civil servants will henceforth receive a minimum wage of N40, 000, and one free nutritious meal per day.  This is apart from free medical services and free transportation to and fro the State Secretariat.

He is blind to the fact that Governor Uzodimma has recovered the K.O. Mbadiwe University, Ogboko, Standard Shoe Factory, Owerri. He is blind to the fact that Owerri -Okigwe Road, Owerri -Orlu Road and Owerri -Mbaise-Obowo Road have been reconstructed with street light. He is blind to the fact that the city of Owerri is free from perennial flooding after Uzodimma came with balloon erosion control technology. He is blind to the fact that Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education has now been upgraded to a Federal University of Education. He is blind to the fact that Imo State now has a Federal University Teaching Hospital. He is blind to the fact that Imo workers now receive their salary promptly because the payroll system has been automated. He is blind to the fact that there is transparency and financial prudence in the management of State resources. He is blind to the fact that there is peace in Imo State just like anywhere in the country, as the isolated breaches of security are not abnormal, not peculiar to Imo State and do not reflect the true picture, which is that there is peace in Imo State.

He is blind to the fact that Governor Uzodimma is a uniting force as a team player and not divisive – that is why many prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including former members of the National Assembly are defecting to the APC in droves – the latest being Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso and his team of political titans yet Ugochinyere is busy with inconsequential accusations rather than finding a way to save his sinking party – in fact, something must be wrong with Ikenga Ugochinyere otherwise why is he blind to the fact that Uzodimma is a visionary and kind leader, who is determined to do the best for Imo State.

It must be pointed out that Governor Uzodimma is not at war with Ugochinyere or anyone and so long as he is from Imo State, it is the duty of Governor Uzodimma to protect him but he must respect Uzodimma as his Governor – whether he likes it or not and just a note of warning to Ugochinyere and whom it may concern: Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is naturally mystical and indomitable. Those that tried to fight him in the past are counting their losses today and the reason is that Almighty God fights for Uzodimma; as a good-hearted man and great leader; Uzodimma, loves and does not hate anyone including Ugochinyere, irrespective of his provocative rantings and meaningless outbursts.

Who knows? Ugochinyere might decide to join the winning team of Gov. Uzodimma tomorrow, yes, it is possible and he will be welcomed with open arms because Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is accommodating, trending, indomitable, irrepressible and always the best alternative.

God bless Imo State!

– Ben AHANONU is Special Adviser (CSDP) to the Governor of Imo State.