2015 Imo Guber: Mbaise Nation And Other Zones

0
1016

WEEKEND Jan 24 , 2014
Mbaise Nation is one of the homogeneous clans that make up the present Imo State. They are found in Ahiazu, Aboh and Ezinihitte Local Governments. Despite the three LGAs created by Government fiat than concession, Mbaise traces can be found in the neighbouring LGAs bordering it; like Ngor Okpala, Ehime Mbano and Ikeduru etc.
Though I am not an Mbaise, but I will not fail to state here that every one who comes across this people has one thing or other to say about them. An Mbaise is “intelligent” from birth, alert in the midst of others, and suffers no fool easily because of their wiseness.
Unfortunately, instead of giving this clan thumbs-up for its qualities, it instead brings them more scorn as they are seen to be schemers, than people cautions of every environment they found themselves.
Because of Mbaise’s industry, they are in the scheme of things in Imo State, both politically and economically. While other clans in the state are allowing European influences to torpedo their inherit culture and customs, the Mbaise allows both to grow side by side, in order not to lose any of the two, in the dynamics of nature.
That is the reason no matter how rich or celebrated in Mbaise, you must relinquish all that the moment you are in the midst of the Elders. By so doing, Mbaise still has Elders who say things and the rest fall in to line.
But in other clans in Imo, material wealth and connections influences them in choosing their “Elders” as if money acquisition is the height of wisdom. It seems a taboo to see a younger Mbaise man lampooning their Elders in the midst of visitors, but that can be done internally within themselves, where the matter ends.
When an Mbaise man finds himself in a position, just like Hausa gate man does, he will go home and bring his brothers. This is one of the qualities which annoy other clans the more. Pray, is it a bad thing for one to make way for his brothers?
I remember when one Minister was accused of giving contracts only to his friends, and he retorted; “So, I should give the contracts to my enemies?”
Today, there is this cry in Imo state, especially from her neighbours, that Mbaise Clan has cornered all the plum jobs meant for the state, from Ministerial position to Board appointments.
I think the only reason this cry is strident is simply because Mbaise people who found themselves in such positions do not miss the opportunity in making sure that it resonates in physical achievements in Mbaise Nation, than frittering such opportunities away.
For instance, Imo State is divided into three Senatorial Zones namely; Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri. Senator Chris Anyanwu (from Mbaise) is for Owerri Zone, Hope Uzodinma is that of Orlu and Ambassador Nwagwu, for Okigwe. Sincerely speaking, if we make an honest assessment of these three Legislators, what would be your verdict?
Senator Chris Anyanwu, an Mbaise daughter, married in Mbaise, has changed the face of Mbaise. She has attracted Mbaise ring road, with her brother, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, among other infrastructural developments.
They have empowered too many sons and daughters of Mbaise through appointments and contracts. Those of Mbaise sons and daughters close to the Presidency are also doing a lot by fixing Mbaise people. So, do you blame them for helping their people? Is it a crime to help a people through their own Leaders?
Instead of this hatred for Mbaise, what other clans should do is to reinvent themselves so as to face Mbaise toe to toe. There is no need crying, than be challenged and strategize on how to contain this Mbaise rampage. Since Mbaise has learnt how to shoot without missing, others should learn how to dodge without being targets.
In the present dispensation, Orlu has Senator Hope Uzodinma and other Orlu sons and daughters placed at top positions who can redeem the sufferings of their people. It is left for these people to either utilize the opportunities to better the lives of their people or line their own personal pockets with easy lucre to the detriment of the people. They can also dwell on grandstanding, and playing to the gallery by sharing motor cycles and Jeeps to the people while Chris Anyanwu and Ihedioha are busy building lasting infrastructure for their people.
In Okigwe Zone, the area is doomed for the caliber of people they sent to Abuja to demand for their collective rights. Senator Matthew Nwagwu is a total write-off. He is completely anonymous at the Senate, and just pocketing his constituency allowances and salaries while those he is supposed to represent grope in the dark. If Nwagwu and other Okigwe sons at high places fail to touch the lives of Okigwe people, whom do you blame? Shall others leave their place to come and develop Okigwe?
Prof Chudi Uwazurike who represents Ehime Mbano, Obowo and Ihitte Uboma at the House of Representatives is there representing only himself. Hon Omegara who represents Isiala Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe is an absentee in terms of achievements. For nearly eight years, Omegara has not called one constituency meeting. The other day I saw Omegara at Concorde Hotel Owerri and he was so lonely that I presumed that his people may have given up on him. Because, no such politician can venture out without a legion of youths trailing him. Even House of Assembly members, not to talk of a National Assembly member.
While Mbaise is prevailing is due to their organized society, which dwells on the congregation of all hands on deck to make things happen. Mbaise man can quarrel with his brother, but the moment they go out of Mbaise, they eschew all rancour to fight for Mbaise course. Is it a crime?
Mbaise, just from one LGA years ago is today three, and ready to add more if such opportunity presents itself in the future. Such successes can only be achieved through concerted effort by all.
Today Ngor Okpala LGA feels choked-up because it was merged with Aboh Mbaise as a Federal Constituency. Apart from once Ngor Okpala produced a representative for the Constituency, Aboh Mbaise has produced three times and still counting and ready for more. Why has Ngor Okpala not sat down and find out when and from where the rain started beating her?
All Ngor Okpala does is cry like a little Baby, wincing and lamenting. In politics maneuvering and conspiracy are allowed. So, it is not a crime if Mbaise outwits Ngor Okpala through a well organized plot.
Ngor Okpala should have a retrospect of its ordeals and find a way out of her present predicament.
In most cases, it is the same Ngor Okpala people that are recruited by Aboh Mbaise to sabotage their people. Rather than criticize Aboh Mbaise for that, they should be commended for outsmarting Ngor Okpala at all times. Since Ngor Okpala feels so bad over the Aboh Mbaise manipulations, they should go for tutorials and learn how Mbaise has been tricking and pocketing them, and has continued to dictate the pace for them. Pity!
Chief Blyden Amajirionwu, has his head literally placed on a plate by PDP because he dared to criticize what he said were positions meant for Ngor Okpala and Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency, which he condemned were lopsidedly shared by Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha in favour of Aboh Mbaise.
Assuming Amajirionwu was correct, would any body want Ihedioha to short-change his own people to the favour of Ngor Okpala? It is nothing but a lesson to Ngor Okpala that charity always begins from home. Therefore, if they get such positions, they should remember their brothers and sisters. They should also begin to plot how to wrestle power to help their people.
If you go to Abuja today, many prominent sons and daughters of Ngor Okpala occupy high offices. Instead of beckoning their people to come, as an Mbaise man would do, they will not, but go into hiding. When you trap them they give you long list of reasons they cannot be of help to their brother.
One of the most stupendous commissions on the privatization of the Power Sector in Nigeria has an Ngor Okpala person as the top Brass. How many Ngor Okpala people has he employed, or used his influence to employ in other Companies or Federal Parastatals? How many Ngor Okpala people are players in the Power Privatization vie this their son that seats atop Billions of Naira Commission?
As we approach 2015 general elections, Mbaise sons and daughters are beginning to show their interests in the Governorship position of Imo state. In the last count we have about six who had openly made their intentions known, and those whose body languages have indicated their dreams.
They include; Dr Obioma Agumuo, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Bright Nwanne, Chief Emma Ojinere, Chief Felix Amadi and others still yet to join the fray.
For a particular clan, not zone, to brandish this number of Guber aspirants seem not only unwieldy but overwhelming. But trust Mbaise Clan, when the time comes, they will sort themselves out. That is what makes Mbaise Nation unique, and the envy of other Clans. This penchant of solving its problems internally and manipulating others to get what they want is what make others hate Mbaise, when ordinarily it should attract them respect for their rare ingenuity to work for their goals.
As 2015 approaches, Mbaise had learnt a lot politically and will dominate the environment in Imo. You will only ignore them at your own peril. Politics is all about interest, and Mbaise Clan, under a tight knit approach always protect their own and collective interests.
In 2011, while most Areas lost their crucial elections Mbaise won all based on their collective interests. Mbaise as a PDP catchment area poured the votes for then PDP Guber candidate, Chief Ikedi Ohakim. All the Mbaise LGAs returned their Assembly candidates under PDP.
In the Federal House elections, Ihedioha and Nnanna Igbokwe of PDP were returned. When PDP shunned their daughter, Senator Chris Anyanwu for Dr Mrs Kema Chikwe, the Mbaise myth came to play as Chris Anyanwu moved to APGA and yet walloped Kema Chikwe, from the votes poured in from Mbaise Nation.
I can remember also during the Ihedioha election, there was apprehension following the manner results from Ngor Okpala were trickling in, because of the Bar Soronnadi Njoku sentiment, until Mbaise block vote over-turned all fears. What a people!
Therefore, Mbaise knows their onions and pursues it. I would advise other clans to be focused and go for their targets too. When each area develops its place through self-helps like Mbaise, the aggregation will be a whole development of Imo State.
Other clans; Orsu, Isu, Ihitte, Oguta, Uratta, Ngor Okpala (that is neither in Mbaise nor Uratta) should gird their loins on how to battle Mbaise than throw pebbles. The die is cast, and only the serious-minded would be counted. Already, there is apprehension that Mbaise will out-wit other clans in Owerri for the Guber slot seriously sought for by Owerri Zone in 2015. Is it a crime to identify your goals and work towards them?. Let other Imo clans think and work hard.