The Paradox Of Political Discipleship And Test Of Party Loyalty: Even Jesus’ Disciples Forsake Him

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

A case study of Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief Ikedi Ohakim and  two other State Governors in the state.

This piece is a Sunday sermon on true discipleship, but an early analogy is drawn from the political perspective which is relative to the subject matter under discussion.

If trusted allies or better put, Jesus’ foot solders and die-hard Apostles like Peter could desert him during his arrest and ‘Golgotha experience’ nobody  can die for you once you are out of power! No career politician would  sink with a political party who had lost control of the seat of power. The timid among them, who claim ‘party loyalty’ “Nicodemusly” dine and wine with those in power.

In politics, it is so easy for politicians, party leaders, members, followers, supporters, beneficiaries of political largesse  and ‘ndi otimkpu -(sycophants or praise singers )’ to profess loyalty. Many would even go as far as publicly declaring to defend their principal or political party with the last drop of their blood. One recently told me that he would sink and die with Governor Hope Uzodinma, if need be! But how true?

In a prostituting political clime like ours, where politicians and party members pursue their interest and stomach rather than pursue ideology and conviction, I am one of the least persons that take their confessions of party loyalty and political discipleship very serious.

Where are many of the surrogates, protégés and supporters of Owelle Rochas Okorocha when he held sway as the Governor of Imo State for good uninterrupted 8 years? I don’t mean the online media warriors and praise singers, who have not tasted the other side of life. I mean the political appointees and top Government functionaries, who eventually become rich through the State Government treasury and our common patrimony? Except a few people like Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, who is an in-law to Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Chief Ugonna Ozurigbo, who the former Governor singlehandedly bought his forms and went as far as making him a Federal lawmaker, Hon. Kingsley Uju, Dr. Paschal Obi except Deacon Chike Okafor(who has now maintained some distance from the Governor lest he is dragged into the cobweb of the rift between the former Governor and the present one). 

This is understandably so because these men are still holding unto power. I doubt if they would maintain the political trajectory once they are out of power with their principal, who is now a Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District.

Where are also those who worked with Chief Emeka Ihedioha? While most of them had remained neutral permutating on their next line of action as to determine their political fate, the big men among them had taken a bold step to join the moving train; Amb. Greg Mbadiwe, who recently threw caution to the wind to join the APC after purported clandestine deal was sealed with Governor Hope Uzodinma to honour his late father posthumously as Palm Eastern University;  a State Government University under Public Private Partnership (PPP) was later allegedly converted to a private University with over 80% share by the former Governor.

The present Governor, having come fourth in the last elections, was also deserted by a number of the current appointees; Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and those who now parade themselves as the Governor’s political allies and kinsmen. Who would ever believe that Senator Hope Uzodinma would eventually be declared winner of the 2019 Governorship Elections in Imo State. 

Kudos to the Supreme Court! 

If Jesus disciples could desert him having witnessed first hand miracles performed by their Master; the Messiah, no matter how these appointees become rich through the Governor, once he leaves office, they would desert him and join the next ship. .
Men of straw who have no convictions, whose resolutions fluctuate on the wind and changeful billows of human opinions. Men who are like reed, tossed to and fro by every little wind of political doctrine, inconsistent as the wave of the sea! 

As a lawmaker, either at the State or Federal level, do not be carried away by the euphoria of those appointees around you. It is only a tiny fraction of them that believe in your cause and would stay when you leave office.

However, as a career politician, it is better to keep holding political office either through elections or appointments to be able to remain relevant as to continue  enjoying the fanfare of loyalty. Because here, “loyalty is serviceable”.

It is only a few politicians that enjoy the grace of massive followership after years of not being in Government and in power – the likes of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Prince Chikwem Onuoha come to mind in Okigwe Zone, veteran politicians like Chief Arthur Nzeribe in Orlu Zone, etc. Others enjoy relative respect at public functions, but not convinced followership.

 For instance, HE, Chief(Dr.)  Ikedi Ohakim, HE Chief Achike Udenwa.

OUR GOSPEL: 

In Matthew 26:56, the Bible recorded:
” …Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.” 
He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This is but one instructive of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee whenever the wolf cometh. Just like typical Nigerian politicians, whose party lost control of the seat of power, when the wolf of social challenges come; inability to pay their bills, pay children school fees; maintain their concubines and side-chicks, service their fleet of cars and pay domestic staff, etc, the next line of action is to jump ship and join the moving train.

Ironically, Jesus’ disciples were warned of the dangers of abandoning or leaving their Master during His trying times – persecution. They promised to die rather than leave or betray their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic and took to their heels when persecution set in. It is one thing to make a promise,  and quite another to keep to promise. Would it not have been better to their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus’ right manfully rather than flee from honour due to temporary challenge?

LESSON:
The same disciples who fled during the Gesthamane and Golgotha experience of Jesus Christ and crucifixion, however, came looking for Him when they learnt he had resurrected.

If the disciples could abandon Jesus Christ during his trying times, nobody would ever die or sink with you. Do not be deceived!

Jesus’ Apostles after regretting abandoning their Master during his trying times due to fear; eventually proved the extent of their love for Him as they went as far as laying down their lives for the gospel sake.

As a public officer holder, it is therefore, very imperative that you leave a lasting impression in the minds of the people. Empower as many young people around you as possible as they may be your true apostles ready to take bullets for your sake and also defend your cause.

Doing the contrary, you may end up being as empty as a rolling drum as people will be in so much hurry to desert you once you leave office.

– Njoku Macdonald Obinna Media Consultant|Publisher, 
4thestatereporters.com