CAN UCHE OGAR DO AWAY WITH THE GODFATHERS?
Orji Uzor Kalu would certainly play a lead role in any APC administration in Abia state. As an APC leader in Igboland – he would have the leverage to determine how an APC government in his home state would run. He would populate the government with his lackeys who would head various agencies and departments in the state public service.
The question now is- can Ndi Abia survive the return of Orji Kalu to government house by proxy? Orji Kalu has proven to be a man lacking in vision, unable to put the state and her people first and given to voodoo and unwholesome political practices.
Many analysts in the state have traced Abia’s woes to Uzor Kalu and his style of politics. From political intolerance to the promotion of mediocrity, Orji Kalu did Abia in when he imposed an imprisoned Theodore Orji on a hapless state at the end of a better-forgotten eight years.
It is the person of Orji Kalu in the APC that is casting a long shadow on the guber aspiration of the young Uche Ogah. Recall that Dr Ogah’s running mate- Martin Azubuike was recommended by Orji Kalu himself. How many more strategic officers of government would Orji Kalu appoint if Ogah is elected next Saturday?
Media aides of Ogah have told us that Kalu would have no influence on their principal but we know better. Does Dr Ogah have the spine to resist the man designated as APC leader in the south east?
Orji Kalu would not only be interested in recommending his lackeys for Dr Ogah. No. He would want more. Already – rumours are rife that he is one of the leading sponsors of the Ogah campaign. It is almost certain that should the APC guber candidate be elected next Saturday, Orji would have a very big say in procurement and contract matters in the state. For a guide- recall that all the roads Orji Kalu did in his term were washed away after few months of rain. Is this what we want?
It’s possible that Ogah may want to resist Orji Kalu’s overbearing influence but what would follow next is better imagined than experienced. Have we forgotten how Orji Kalu in his first incarnation spent everything at his disposal fighting his political enemies including president Obasanjo?
It does appear that we may see a different kind of battle if Ogah wins. The APC leader would fight Ogah to a standstill if he dares resist him and you know who would suffer as a result. Can we hope to suffer like the grasses that always bears the brunt of two elephants fighting?
What else- Orji Kalu’s allies would be in the executive and legislature. Already there are talks of appointing a Kalu as Dr Ogah’s chief of staff. We must be careful what we wish for.
Dr. Orji Kalu is not the only godfather that would give governor Uche Ogah tough times. Till date- Dr Ogah maintains a good relationship with the Ochendo political family. What influence would Ikuku and Ochendo have on our young Ogah? Abians had better watch it.
So the ball is in your court ndi Abia. The worst thing that can happen to us right now is running into a ball of fire while hoping to escape the pain of the frying pan.
Atuolo Omara…
Comments are closed.