I have observed him closely enough to understand and appreciate what distant observers think and say of him. While some are exaggerated and misplaced, not all of the adjectives that have been used to describe him can be dismissed with a wave of the hand. This is because infallibility is exclusive to the immortal. But objectivity is not a virtue all mortals subscribe to.
· However, even from a pair of subjective lens, one cannot take away certain character traits that define and stand him out. This is especially in public service where the banana peels litter the space waiting to trip many over. But an untainted political career spanning well over two decades is worthy of accolades and exemplary sampling. Moreso, when more of this time has been spent in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly where leadership positions, until more recently, equate to a game of musical chairs.
· And this is where Emeka Ihedioha indisputably transcends the levers of biased judgment calls. His political trajectory is a testament to courage, character and consistency. These Cs are rare commodities in the arena of politics and leadership where he has treaded. From the courageous first steps of fierce political baptism in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) which confronted and eventually outwitted the dreaded Abacha military junta before transmuting into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ihedioha has stayed course with his political convictions. He stands tall as one who has never defected from the PDP since 1999. This is indeed a big deal in a country where we have seen politicians move around almost all the parties that have been of any electoral value; in fact some have jumped ship at very fundamental moments and can be regarded as founding fathers of both current leading parties in the land – the PDP and All Progressives Congress (APC). This consistency is arguably but demonstrably inconsistent with preponderant political behavior in Nigeria. Objectivity demands that such virtue be credited where it is due. Ihedioha surely deserves the credit of a consistent political player. Those who make the argument that there is no difference between both parties miss the point. The principle of fidelity as a virtue is uncommon among politicians in Nigeria.
· Not even the vicissitudes of his political journey have eroded his principled hold to the platform he helped found and nurtured to an unchallenged winning brand for 16 years. No doubt, he can be said to be a prominent beneficiary of the party but there are even greater beneficiaries that not only bit the finger that fed them but took delight in spitting on the graves of their fathers. And he could have retained or switched certain benefits had he yielded to pressures to ditch his party. He has shown staying power even when holding the short end of the stick. Or how else does one view the fact that he defeated the combined elements of federal and state incumbency to win the governorship of Imo State in 2019? The deep cut inflicted by the Supreme Court judgment of January 14, 2020 has been taken in stoically. That the cut invariably turned out to be an injury eternally borne by the people of Imo State, offers some comfort on one hand and on the other, a clear indication that a better day beckons for the Mbaise-born politician. His seven months old governorship continues to be a reference point in the history of the state. He has shown courage in smarting out from that setback and now looks ahead like the courageous politician he has always been.
· Besides being delightsome at home in Imo, Ihedioha has remained a darling brand to be courted across the country and this makes him a personality to watch out for as the politics of 2023 unfolds. The network he built through many years of diligent hard work and clever calculations stand ready to continue to propel him forward for heights ahead. And this is why he is a man for tomorrow. And at 56 years of age, there is still a lot that the future holds as long as the mercies and grace of God Almighty permits. I wish His Excellency, the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives and former governor of Imo State, a happy birthday.
- Oke Epia wrote from Abuja
