Here we come again, Dr Norbert Chiazor’s article, “Delta North Senate 2027: Okowa Reigns, Ochei Runs,” is an elaborate attempt to elevate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa above every other political figure in Anioma while reducing the senatorial aspiration of Rt. Hon. (Engr.) Victor Ochei, Esq., FNSE, to the role of a fitting but ultimately inconsequential challenger. Beneath its elegant prose, colourful imagery and carefully arranged political hierarchies lies a troubling proposition: that one man has attained such political pre-eminence that challenging him is almost an exercise in futility.
Like the Ijele masquerade he described, it was colourful. But with due respect, it was a well-packaged eulogy of a man who wants to turn Anioma into his private kingdom.
Let me respond as an Anioma son who believes no one man is greater than a people.
Hierarchy or Democracy?
Norbert says politics is hierarchical, some footsteps are loftier, and therefore Ochei should accept his place because Okowa is bigger.
My brother, with respect, Anioma is not a masquerade festival where Ijele must always lead. It is a democracy. In a democracy, there is no permanent reign. The Bible says in Daniel 2:21 – “He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” No man reigns forever.
If hierarchy were destiny, David would never have defeated Goliath. Saul would have remained king forever and David would have remained a shepherd boy. But God uses the small stone to bring down the giant.
Okowa Did Not Climb Alone
Chiazor wants us to believe Okowa climbed to the echelon of his political ladder by destiny and personal magic. No.
Okowa was given opportunity by political stakeholders to ventilate his aspirations from Secretary to Ika North Local Government, to Commissioner under different portfolios, to Secretary to the State Government, to Senator, to Governor.
In all these periods of his ascendency, does it mean there were no other qualified Anioma sons and daughters? Of course there were. The late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Madam Maryam Ali (Kpakpando), Ned Nwoko, Victor Ochei himself, and a host of other stakeholders stood by Okowa, funded him, campaigned for him.
What did they get in return? He strategically and craftily alienated them. He rendered them politically powerless. That is not leadership, that is Machiavellianism.
As a political Maradona likened to IBB’s evil genius, Okowa is believed to have built his empire on divide and rule using a kinsman to fight a kinsman.
It Is Political Suicide To Say Without Okowa, Anioma Is Non-Existent
My brother Norbert wants us to believe that without Okowa, Delta North will be non-existent. That if Okowa does not go to Senate, Anioma has no voice. It is ridiculous and it is political suicide.
Are you saying God has stopped raising leaders in Anioma? Are you saying of all the professors, technocrats, entrepreneurs, and young leaders in nine local governments, only one man can speak for us?
Moses told the Israelites, God will raise a prophet from among your brethren. He did not say leadership is domiciled in one house forever.
Ochei Has Come To Open The Political Oxygen
No matter the sweet names you call Ochei “the racer” while Okowa “reigns” Ochei has come to challenge the status quo and open the political space and oxygen for other stakeholders to breathe.
For years, Anioma is perceived to have lived under a plutocratic political hegemony enthroned by buccaneers and armadas who believe power must remain in one camp.
Ochei represents egalitarianism. He believes in what the Bible says in Psalm 75:7 – “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” Power belongs to God and the people, not to an emperor.
He is not running because he hates Okowa. He is running because he loves Anioma enough to free it from political servitude. He is the stone the builders rejected that may become the cornerstone.
Let The People Decide
Norbert, you said “No Victor, no vanquished. Hopefully.” I agree. This is not a dirty duel. But let us not dress godfatherism in fine prose.
Let the Anioma people decide in 2027 who reigns and who runs. Not one man, not one dynasty.
Anioma is not a kingdom. Anioma is a people.
And no people should be told that one man is their only hope.
*Austin Edemodu, PhD
