By Barrister Sam Ogbonna, KSC
Recently, I read a post whereat, some political mischiefs mentioned some persons of Igbo extraction who started politics with OUK who are either dead or termed ‘Statesmen’ and they queried why has OUK not retired from politics. I could not hold myself because, I almost rolled on the ground as a result of laughter at the ignoramus of the author and those who were busy distributing such feather weight and nonsensical submission.Can the author tell the world those names he mentioned that are/were not at least ten years older than Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as at 1999?
It’s only in Igbo land that people don’t want to tap from the wealth of experience of the Elders. Our amiable President was the governor of Lagos State with our own dear Orji Uzor Kalu who was the governor of Abia State, yet our President remains a political colossus in Nigeria and wonder why anyone in his right frame of mind would want a young, vibrant, energetic, healthy OUK, who has what it takes to live another ten decades if life is what we can buy with money, should be retired from politics.
The people of Abia North Senatorial Zone may not appreciate what they have in the representation of their God-given Senator Orji Uzor Kalu until they visit other Senatorial Zones in Abia State and Nigeria at large. The dividends of democracy, both tangible and intangible projects OUK has, within just six years, attracted and executed for his Constituents are not only enviable but commendable. If it is possible for other Senatorial Zones in Abia State to request for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to be lent to them, Abia North Senatorial Zone would have known that they have a precious and indispensable gift in the person of their Senator whose political sagacity and amiable disposition must be brought to fore and encouraged by all and sundry.
Indeed, those who are clamouring for the retirement of a man, who is in his early sixties, to quit politics and whose vast business acumen and political sagacity are admired by all and sundry should have a rethink.
The Oxford English Dictionary defined a Statesman as;
1.”A man who is a Leader in national and international affairs”
2″A male political Leader who promotes the public good or who is recognized for probity, leadership”….
The above attributes of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu make him an outstanding Statesman that ought to be reverenced in Igboland rather than asking him to retire from politics.In developed Countries,it is only persons with requisite experience and knowledge that are in the Senate and wonder why someone without what it takes to be a Senator would demand that a man God has endowed with everything in life and he uses his wealth for the betterment of his Constituents, would be asked to quit politics and just remain as a Statesman like others who, due to one challenge or the other could not weather the storm as OUK did despite all travails.The like of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is needed now and beyond 2027 so that we shall benefit enormously from the cordial relationship existing between him and our dear President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The popular adage that an Elder should watch over the children so that they would not eat toad or spider thinking that they are editable meat is apt at this point in time.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a Statesman should be encouraged to continue the good works he is doing as a Senator even beyond 2031 if he so wishes. That Senator Orji Uzor Kalu started early in life to carve a niche for himself. At the age of twenty-four, he became a millionaire, and such a feat is not only worthy of emulation,but commendable and should not be a criteria for his early retirement in active politics. At 32,OUK became a Member of the House of Representatives and at 39,he became the second Executive Governor of Abia State and made the difference in governance. The welfare of Public and Civil Servants was his utmost priority coupled with tangible and intangible projects OUK did across the nooks and crannies of Abia State, particularly, in the local government areas including free healthcare and education despite the meager allocation. There is no local government area in Abia State that his presence was not felt. His massive road projects within six months in office on assumption as the Executive Governor of Abia State in 1999 earned him “Action Governor” which was given to him by the then President. Governor Orji Uzor Kalu (as he then was), brought Abia State to world limelight. He showcased Abia State to the globe through his maverick sports administration which propelled the Enyimba lads to win the CAF trophy back to back in addition to the numerous roads he constructed and rehabilitated in Aba and Umuahia. No wonder the incumbent Governor of Abia State sometime ago, said that he would emulate/adopt the blueprint or template of Orji Uzor Kalu and those who did not understand what the Governor meant misconstrued it. Is it not something that is good that any rationale being would emulate? I challenge anyone to say one thing that would justify retiring His Excellency ,Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from politics now.Those who have gold don’t know how precious it is. A horse does not know the value of its tail not until it is cut off.
Let no one deceive the people of Abia North Senatorial Zone come 2027 because, your Senator in case you don’t know,is the envy of many and the only way to encourage him to continue in his avowed determination for quality and effective representation which if transferable would have eluded Abia North Senatorial Zone, is to guard what they have jealously. No Coach can change a performing player or winning team. Comparing a man whom God has anointed with precious oil and whom God has lavishly blessed with others, is a serious misnomer and I pray God to forgive those involved in such comparison because, they do not know what they are doing.If the President of America at his age could be politically active and relevant and still strong,then Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is yet to commence his political sojourn because, he has what it takes to be politically relevant until he decides to quit politics to the glory of God and that is after he might have accomplished God’s purpose in life for him.All political gladiators who see OUK as a threat, should relax their nerves and plead with him to anoint them at the appropriate time.
I come in peace.
By Sam Ogbonna Esq. KSC, an Abia based legal practitioner.
