By Ori Martins
There are factors that make individuals great and successful. The dynamic Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana promoted the grassroots concept of “The strength of the organized masses is invincible”. In all his actions and inactions, he carried the people along. That was his secret.
Zik of Africa and Nigeria’s greatest political evangelist knew the magic as well as the miracle of oratory prowess. He was aware how the spoken word could potentially provide the needed pull from the masses for the much aspired awareness on sociopolitical revolution. And he instantly applied it. Alongside his journalistic skills, Zik was a master in using words – written or spoken – to bend the public to any positive direction he wished.
Both Zik and Nkrumah were founding fathers of African nation. Today, one man who has correctly albeit systematically groomed himself in the beautiful art of political marketing and salesmanship is The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON.
Flaunting his five cardinal political tools to wit: character, courage, consistency, hard work and people oriented, Ihedioha has been practically superb in words and deeds since he sauntered into the national political space about three decades ago.
With his avowed and cherished good character, Ihedioha is disciplined, decent, dedicated and prudent. This is why in all his 12 years at the House of Representatives where he served as the deputy speaker and one week a speaker, Ihedioha came out clean, sparkling with an immaculate image both in appearance and performance. He was never indicted by any anti corruption agency. This also accounts for the reason he struts the streets of Nigeria with his head high!
As a courageous man, Ihedioha fights all his battle with sense of dignity, honour, hope and within the established rules of the game. He doesn’t believe in “this is a do or die affair”. He rather promotes the importance and significance of the political theory of ” gallant in defeat and humble in victory”.
That was the spirit and force behind his well articulated and celebrated response after the controversial verdict that threw him out of office on January 14, 2020. Ihedioha mustered the courage of a Spartan warrior and enthused: “I don’t agree with supreme court in its judgement. But as a democrat we accept because it is the apex court”. He even urged his followers and aides to abide with the painful verdict, insisting they must return all public utilities in their possession.
On consistency, Ihedioha, like the Shakespearean Northern Star, has been meaningfully consistent. His aim as a public administrator has been for public good. He walks and works for the interest of the larger public.
As the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, elaborately put it, “I come for you to have life and have it abundantly”, Ihedioha’s slogan for the public is: “I come to serve you, to help you rebuild the society, and for you to prosper in freedom”. No wonder his seven month reign is still rated excellent by all standard indicators of ranking.
Of course, Ihedioha is a workaholic. He works round the clock and does not rest until success is achieved. It was never a mean feat that he was in NASS for 12 years, contested for the governorship of Imo State in 2015 and took the election to a supplementary end (run off) against an incumbent.
As he couldn’t realize his dream, he went back to work and was assiduous and efficient in his planning as well as execution that in 2019, he won the governorship election. These are Ihedioha’s cardinal points. These are the factors that make him strong, loved and admired.
Moreover, Ihedioha is always with the masses. He identifies with them – either in joy or in sorrow. And the people have confirmed him as Omenkeahuruanya.