Rt.Hon. Emeka Martin Chinedu
By Emelayo Nwosu
Political circumspection, both in words and in action, is a quality that anyone who seeks public office must imbibe. Without it, a politician may have a convoluted idea of himself and become like the little bird, Nza, whose story the late literary icon, Chinua Achebe, wrote about in “Things Fall Apart.” Nza, after some sumptuous meal, challenged his god to a wrestling match.
Emeka Chinedu is like the Nza. He has been at the House of Representatives for more than seven years; taken, in his thinking, enough bite off the national cake, and can now challenge those who sent him there to a wrestling match. That’s lack of circumspection.
Please, hear Emeka Chinedu. “…since it’s the turn of Ekwerazu, and there are no capable hands in Ekwerazu, the best thing is for me to go again for a third term.” The above were the exact words from his mouth. Hon. Emeka Chinedu is like a man who rode a bicycle to a friend’s house. As he was leaving, this bicycle rider, instead of gratitude, showed his buttocks to his host.
I have read several comments by his supporters trying to explain what Hon. Martins Chinedu meant in saying “…there are no capable hands in Ekwerazu….” These explanations, to say the least, are as ludicrous as they are reprehensible. What else is the meaning of “…no capable hands”?
Isn’t it even more insulting to say that people didn’t understand what Hon. Chinedu meant? Probably, those advancing this argument not only agree with Emeka Chinedu that Ekwerazu “has no capable hands,” but are also saying that those who have called him out over this gaffe do not understand what the English word “capable” means.
Some have spoken about context. So, in what context did Emeka Chinedu speak to justify such a disparaging remark about Ekwerazu? The context was the 2027 electioneering. And he is telling us that he is the best thing that ever happened to Ahiazu/Ezinihitte. That is why he must remain at the House of Representatives forever.
Let’s even assume that we are not educated enough to understand what having “capable hands” means. Doesn’t Emeka Chinedu’s plan to go for a third term point to the fact that he sees no one with “capable hands” to replace him?
Those still in doubt about whether or not Mr. Chinedu made that statement should read his so-called explanation (or is it an apology). He never denied saying that Ekwerazu had no “capable hands.” He said the video had been “manipulated.” He didn’t say he was not the one speaking in the video.
Among the candidates running for the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal seat are Ichie Ken Agbim (PhD) and Hon. Tony Anakani (PhD). Ken Agbim, who is running for that seat, was a member of the Imo State House Assembly. Tony Anakani was Sole Administrator, Ahiazu LGA. Both are qualified to seek the highest office in the land. They’re from Ekwerazu. Why then should any right-thinking person say Ekwerazu has no “capable hands”?
Emeka Chinedu’s message is not lost on us. But I can only say that any vote for Emeka Chinedu on 16 January 2027 is an endorsement of his message that Ekwerazu has no “capable hands.” Hon. Emeka Chinedu is showing extreme pride and arrogance. His disrespect for the people has made him overestimate his abilities. That’s his hubris.
But come to think of it. Shouldn’t we take umbrage at the Ekwerazu political elite, especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the insult from Emeka Chinedu? Should we not ask them some uncomfortable questions about the mud that is being poured on us?
When Nnanna Igbokwe used his connection as SA in the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives, to take the ticket given to an Ekwerazu son, Chukwudi Anyanwuocha, what did Ekwerazu members of the APC say? Nothing.
Instead of expressing their disapproval, they started falling over themselves, sending congratulating messages to Hon. Igbokwe. Does that portray Ekwerazu politicians as those with “capable hands”? The chairman of the APC in Ahiazu Mbaise is Chief Mike Uzodinma. He is an Ekwerazu politician. Under his watch, a ticket given to an Ekwerazu son was snatched. Can we rightfully say that he is a capable leader?
We have heard how, a couple of years ago, some APC leaders in Ekwerazu met and traded off the clan’s turn to produce the member of the State House of Assembly. What does that imply if not that Ekwerazu had no “capable hands”?
They forgot that, in the 2nd Republic, Senator Tony Anyanwu represented Owerri Zone, Hon. Isidore Obasi represented Ahiazu federal constituency, Hon. Patrick C. Onuoha was at the state assembly. The three were from Ekwerazu. Do we need to remind those who are only motivated by what they will get from politics that Dr. Sylvester Ugo, a minister in Shagari’s government, is from Ekwerazu? So, while we lament over the mud poured on Ekwerazu by Hon. Emeka Chinedu, let’s know that our own politicians aided him and provided the filth that was heaped on us.
- Source: Website: https://anchor-reporters.com
