By Emeka Attah
As the clock ticks for the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, there
is intense horse trading, campaign of calumnies, character assassination,
midnight conspiracies, and even fraud under so many guises going on at an
alarming speed presently.
But depending on
whichever way the pendulum swings owing to so many factors at play, what is
incontestable is that that the choices of the electorates at the various
states, senatorial districts, federal and state constituencies will determine
the people’s fate in the next four years.
While some will be
consigned into painful moments of bad governance characterized by under
development, pitiable conditions of living, governance and legislation by
helicopters and gallivanting, others may also be lucky to experience quality
representation and responsive governance all depending on choices made.
In Ebonyi Central
Senatorial District , Ebonyi State where effective and purposeful representation
has remained a mirage since the return of the democratic dispensation in
1999, the February 14, 2015 election is not only a defining
moment but presents a golden opportunity to launch the zone into its pride of
place in Nigeria.
Ebonyi Central comprises
of four local governments namely, Ishielu, Ezza North, Ikwo and Ezza South. In
representative democracy, the late Senator Usulor from Ezza South represented
the zone in the National Assembly between 1999- 2003. He was replaced with
Senator Julius Ucha who was there between 2003- 2007 and till 2011. The
incumbent senator of the zone whose clock is ticking fast is Paulinus Igwe
Nwagu.
While those who have
represented the zone since 1999 did their best according to their individual
inherent capacities, what has become incontestably clear for the people is that
the wind of change has come and it is now irresistible. The people are
tired of Gerontocrats and swimming in mediocrity while their best materials are
hidden as shining stars in some institutions and establishments where they
shine forth and blaze the trail for the larger benefit of their employers and
immediate environment.
Among the array of
candidates jostling for the senatorial seat of the zone in the 2015 election
are Chief Obinna Ogba for the PDP, Dr. Anyigo Vincent for the APC , Elechi
Elechi for the LP and Prof. Bernard Odoh for the APGA.
X-raying the antecedents
and profiles of the candidates aforementioned, without sounding immodest or
derogatory, Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, the candidate of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance come tops with an impressive and intimidating
pedigree.
A professor of
Geophysics, Odoh at 39 has accomplished what his peers at 50 could not achieve
and he remains ever humble and accommodating with no airs and puffed up pride
to throw himself about.
A Christian in principle
and practice, his meteoric rise to academic height after obtaining his first
degree in 1999 and Doctor Of Philosophy in 2008 confounds both his
teachers and contemporaries but the most significant of them all is that he has
taken a covenant with his creator to be a channel of blessings to others.
His former employers,
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka at the management level saw the qualities in
him that while his mates were still trying to find their feet as Assistant
lecturers, Odoh has gone far in research and study that he was not only
elevated to be a member of the University Senate but he headed many strategic
positions while garnering grants and awards from several international
organizations.
His last appointment as
Special Assistant on Academic Matters to the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Awka was an eloquent testimony that a golden fish has
no hiding place while merit and competence supersedes avuncular and petty
considerations.
In the Nigerian people’s
mindset, Odoh already placed in a vantage position in the university
administration should have stayed in his comfort zone and enjoy the pecks of
the office for the service of his immediate family and friends but he decided
to step out of the comfort zone for the benefit of his people.
The Ezza League of
Professionals have already spotted him not only as an ambassador for the Ezza
nation but one who has the mindset, the towering qualification and the
commitment to change the fortunes of the people of Ebonyi central.
He is not a money bag
and does not come from the mould of the career politicians of our time who are
bent on exploiting the ever widening gap between the haves and the have-nots to
exploit political power as a means to an end.
Prof. Odoh says in his
manifesto that the time is now while he has come with a message of hope and
regeneration for his people so that they could realize their full
potentialities.
Testimonies abound from
the youths, the undergraduates, mothers and the elderly who have been touched
by Odoh’s positive impact in several ways ranging from facilitation of
employment opportunities, university admissions, scholarships, skill
acquisition and other humanitarian/ empowerment programmes .
The people have realized
that if he could do all these as a university teacher; imagine what will be his
score card for four years as a senator. Levels will change while many destinies
will be reshaped and repositioned to be the best as God has fashioned it to be.
Odoh says he is
responding to the compelling call by his compatriots to rise to the
challenge of offering leadership for service and is doing this out of
conviction and courage. To him, conviction is not perfection but it is borne
out of sincerity just as courage is not the absence or denial of fear but the
realization of the fact that for the people to move forward, they have to
exercise the quality of every virtue acting at its highest testing point.
His candidature has
assumed a movement beyond party cleavages and affiliation as many groups and
individuals within the Ebonyi central zone have all endorsed him while praying
and working for his success at the polls.
February 14, 2015 is
therefore a moment in the sands of time where reason will speak above money
sentiments, where the voice of the masses will enthrone a new order and a
moment where the people will say it loud and clear –Never again!
Steve Jobs talking about
moments said: “Everyone here has the sense that right now is one of those
moments when we are influencing the future”. Tony Robbins also said: “It is in
your moments of decisions that your destiny is shaped while Herb Brooks
summarized it all when he said:”Great moments are born from great
opportunities”. People of Ebonyi Central, cease this opportunity at the
moment and define your destiny to the Glory of God and for the service of
humanity.
(Attah writes from Onitsha Anambra State. He can
be reached via: 08035090548, attahcomrade@yahoo.com)
Attah wrote a very good political endorsement for Prof. Odoh. If the facts contained therein are correct, Odoh should be the man for the zone. I met Senator Ucha and he did not impress me as one that will write a bill and move same through the Senate floor. Odoh with academic background seems more suited for the job. I have one concern with academicians. Their salaries cannot provide for a standard ofliving that will make the lures of embesslement not tempting. Prof. Soludo is a case in question. Jega too. They come from the academia looking gunt only to assume a political position to refurbish themselves.
ReplyDeleteMy question for Odoh will be: what bills will you enact to help uplift your area which is what really surmises your job as a senator. What bills? Let me suggest some to you. You need to champion a bill to revamp Nkalagu cement factory area. A bill for the 1st railroad in Ebonyi. A bill for a water scheme to address the guinea worm epidemic in your zone. A bill to bring education to your community. A bill for infrastructral development of your area. A bill to have banking institution have branches in rural areas like yours and doing traditional banking functions. A bill for security in your area especially one establishing cordial relationship between Ezza people and their neighbors. Etc. Do not come and share bags of rice as Andy Ubah does and thinks he is winning hearts. He des not understand his job as a senator. I hope you will.
A debate is appropriate between the candidates and such pointed questions should be put to them. The people should vote for him depending on how the Prof. answers. Now, Elechi Elechi should be made to vomit all the money he stole from Ebonyi State coffers while his father was asleep at the steering. I saw his menace first hand with the import of Chinese non-contractors turned mega-contractors, thanks to Elechi. Where is EFCC?