By IfeanyiChukwu Afuba
Does Senator Tony Nwoye not have better things to do other than seeking to embarrass Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Mr Peter Obi; one, with purported indictment and the other by adorning him with toga of infallibility?
At the height of excitement over Mr Peter Obi’s campaign in the February 25, 2023 presidential election, social activist, Aisha Yesufu, cautioned that support for Obi should not automatically translate to support for all Labour Party candidates in the general elections. Not a few were the latter – day candidates of the Labour Party, with poor credentials, latching on to the alternative wave in Obi’s favour, she reasoned. Did the activist have in mind the class of the turbulent politician, Tony Nwoye, who also ran under the Labour Party?
In the course of proceedings at the very successful town hall meeting Soludo had with Ndi Anambra in Abuja, on Thursday, July 2023, chairman of the occasion, Emeka Offor, invited past and present senators from the State to make brief remarks.
Incumbent Anambra South Senator Ifeanyi Ubah acknowledged the good works of the Governor. Senator Victor Umeh who equally complimented Soludo, urged him to bring national assembly members from the State nearer for greater results. Former Governor, Senator Chris Ngige gave thumbs up to the State’s administration, stressing the need for skills – based education. For her part, immediate past Senator of Anambra Central District, Uche Ekwunife not only commended Soludo for delivering democracy dividends; she exhorted Ndi Anambra to ignore the disinformation against the Governor in the social media.
Then, came the turn of Nwoye. And his political bombshell. And the topic veered sharply from Anambra State’s development to Peter Obi’s presidential status. “Peter Obi has brought Ndi Igbo to political prominence. We should not be attacking him. An aide of the Governor keeps on abusing Obi. If he doesn’t stop calling Obi names, we shall speak loud on election day.”
While on the face of it, Nwoye appeared to have made a pacifist contribution, his agenda was an indecorous distraction from the development focus of the conference.
There was no justification for the introduction of Nwoye’s political controversy. Aside the unruly nature of the subject, the failure to put the matter in context, makes it a cheap shot, a sentimental rather than reasoned excursion.
Who does not know of the notoriety of the ‘obidients’ for abuse and gutter language? From Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka to Professor Wole Soyinka, many Nigerian citizens have been subjected to slanderous gossip in the hands of ‘obidients’ for daring to express differing political opinions. Obi had on occasions been forced to apologise for the irresponsible behaviour of the group in political engagement.
So, is Nwoye suggesting that Soludo’s media team should keep mute and indeed applaud the ‘obidients’ when their scurrilous posts target the Governor? By harping on Obi’s presidential status rather than constructive engagement in his comment, it appears that this is indeed the Senator’s mindset.
Why didn’t the Senator draw the Governor’s attention on the matter privately? In other ways? The issue bordered on roles perception and private expression of concern would have afforded meaningful exchanges and result. the public outing seemed like an ambush, and one calculated to win Obi’s favour and or populist rating.
In the circumstance, it becomes necessary to remind Nwoye that the senatorial office is one of great responsibility. He is expected to appreciate basic categories as constituted authority as well as framework of due process and fair hearing in relations.
As an Igbo Senator representing Anambra State, he is expected to take up in the National Assembly our agitation for a sixth State in the southeast in the interest of a balanced federation and equity. Let Nwoye devote his time and energy towards constitutional processes for realising State Police, a requirement for dealing insecurity a massive blow in today’s Nigeria. Does Senator Tony Nwoye not see the looming threat of erosion in Anambra State? He will do well to get the federal government give the problem the same level of attention accorded environmental degradation in Niger Delta and desertification in the north. Rather than the divisive politics of one – sided media judgement, it will be more rewarding if Nwoye concentrates on getting the federal government redress exclusion of the southeast from hosting of the country’s military – industrial complexes.
Afuba is Director, Public Administration Circle, Awka.
