Abia North: Time for Vigilance and Corrections
By Peter Ogbonna Eze
There is no single day that comes without a new story. Each
successive one distinct from the one that preceded it, galloping over
each other like equestrian show, standing proof positive of the dynamism
of human nature. And as humanity continues to exist, news, both
expected and unexpected will continue to rend the air in both mundane
and dramatic ways.
The national news at the moment is that the
Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri has practically stirred the political
hornets nest in Abia State. Cold shivers have gripped politicians whose
elective closets are rattling with multiple skeletons of manipulations,
duplicity, thuggery and pervasion of the democratic process.
Some lawmakers, by the unprecedented rulings witnessed during the
last few days are holding their breaths, wondering when the lengthy arm
of the law will turn into a fist and deliver a knockout blow. While the
winners hailed the court’s judgment, the losers, whom their elections
were nullified, felt their victory was shortchanged, despite the court’s
strong basis of the multiple sackings, on the grounds of gross
electoral misconduct, irregularities and conspicuous result mutilation.
The rulings, however, may not be surprising to many Nigerians, who
differently, and in their vociferous and silent voices in the past,
accentuated their witnesses and dissatisfactions in the manipulations
that trailed the last general elections in many quarters and parts of
the country.
In Rivers State, the petitioners, the APC, in their celebration of
victory, described the judgment as victory for the masses who voted at
the March 28, National Assembly elections. Also, a sympathizer and
supporter said that truth, which is essential in the quest for justice
has prevailed.
In Anambra State, the Appeal Court, on sacking Mrs. Uche Ekwunife,
the PDP candidate, consequent upon the suit filed by Sir Victor Umeh of
the APGA, described the lower court ruling (tribunal) as a perverse
judgment, which cannot stand.
In his reaction to the victory, Umeh said that it was clearly an act
of God, and that PDP died the day Jonathan lost election. He further
added that PDP should cover themselves with blanket of shame, and that
at the tribunal, they were being laughed at, but today they (PDP) are
covered with shame.
His supporters were seen dancing in elation while expressing optimism
that the impunity and recklessness the PDP used in winning the first
election would be cut to size during the rerun.
Similar feelings and confessions were recorded in constituencies that
the Appeal Court showed their dissatisfaction in the manner in which
the general elections were conducted across different states. Although
some, including Former Senate President David Mark, while accepting his
fate, was nevertheless hopeful of winning a rerun election in his
constituency.
Others who were caught in the middle of the ocean, though
expectedly, are still wishing to have had an opportunity of contesting
the judgment but which unfortunately, is very impossible and in
accordance with the provision of law on National Assembly electoral
matters.
For instance, the Court of Appeal judgment in respect of
the Abia North senatorial district, nullified the election of Senator Mao
Ohabunwa, citing irregularities and result mutilation, and consequently
ordered for a rerun within 90 days from the date the delivery of its
widely popular judgment.
Accordingly and expectedly, Ohabunwa’s counsel expressed displeasure
and discontent over the judgment. Out of emotions, he declared his
disagreement with the rulings but disclosed that it’s still not the
worst scenario as all the parties involved would have to go back to the
drawing board.
In some streets of Umuahia, Aba, Arochukwu, Igbere and some other
constituencies that make up Abia North, it was jubilation galore. The
youths who took to the streets for celebration on hearing the outcome
of the judgment, could not curtail their joy as they danced
uncontrollably, singing worship songs that depicts signs of Zionic
victory.
The wide jollification in honour of Dr Orji Kalu, the PPA candidate
in the election, and a former presidential Aspirant, makes it worthy of
remembering a popular saying that “there are many qualities of a great
leader, but another is a rare gift from God-to be blessed with the love
of his people”. A great leader might be feared or shown loyalty, but to
be truly loved by his people is something every leader aspires to
achieve. Kalu’s victory foretells all that it’s for the masses and no
other.
Indeed, the open merrymaking is enough to make one imagine the level
of happiness the Israelites experienced after their freedom from
captivity.
Citizens of Abia North, especially the youths must have joined the solemn prayers of the Israelites, saying:
”When the LORD restored the captives of Zion.
We thought we were dreaming.
Then our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues sang for joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord had done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us; oh, how happy we were!
Restore our captives, LORD, like the dry stream beds of the Neged.
Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy.
Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves.”
The above biblical prayer of lamentation was sung shortly after the
people of Israel’s return from exile. The Israelites were rejoicing that
they are back to Zion but then, mere presence in the holy city is not
enough; and that’s why they also prayed for divine intervention,
prosperity and fertility of the land.
What the youths of Abia state who couldn’t hide their joy over Orji
Kalu’s unprecedented victory did, can’t be said to be unexpected.
Although, in the past, while some considered these people’s dream of
electing a Senator of their choice in the last general election a mere
wishful thinking, others considered it a 100- percent realistic dream,
but it’s fair we let the activities and power game that almost dashed
the people’s hope to remain in the past and welcome the golden
opportunity of putting things right.
Even in his reaction, Kalu simply said that the victory is a verdict
for democracy aimed at restoration of the people’s will. He added that
the appeal court has succeeded in the liberation of Abians from the
shackles of authoritarianism and the associated power of rascality.
And indeed, it is for democracy, where the people’s will should be prioritized.
Apparently, the continuous jubilation invariably speak volume about what obviously is expected of during the rerun.
The people of Abia North, having remained sad about the sorry state
of their zone, despite having a representative( now declared an
election rigger) in the last seven months is a call for them to simply
take their destiny by their own hands, and do the needful.
Although, few misguided Abians ,and as expected, might not readily
embrace quality representation as needed, mainly because of sentiments
and misconception. But notwithstanding, it is obvious that one need no
megaphone to remind Abians that the obscure and poor representation of
the sacked senator is not what the people need now, not just at this
moment.
With Kalu, the sadness of the people will be lifted coupled with his
persistent sense of optimism about a brighter future for Abia North. It
is worthy of note to recall that credibility of good representation can
be only established through action and not words, and Kalu in his
leadership prowess and as the popular ‘Action Governor’, has ‘action
and delivery’ as his key concern and mission.
It is time for the people of Abia North to convince the world of
their willingness to embrace excellent representation qualified by
tangible output. Again, Kalu’s victory will not just be for his
senatorial district but as previously observed in these pages, will
be a victory for the Igbo nation.
It is indeed time to troop out en masse and defend the desire and
will of Abians. It is not time to simply conclude in the confines of
one’s comfort that Kalu will emerge winner as expected, considering his
antecedents, popularity and acceptance by his people, but time to
pronounce it with a vote for him.
Peter Eze writes from Abuja via ezepetersoneze@gmail.com
