By Austin Echefu
With pompous fanfare and carnival, Mbaise Nation on Tuesday bestowed on Governor Hope Uzodinma the highly revered title of Enyi Oma 1 (Good Friend of the People) of Mbaise Nation to herald the flagship Iriji Mbaise Festival.
Trooping out in their numbers, jubilant Chiefs, and common folk defied a boycott by Emeka Ihedioha, a former representative of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency and self-declared rival of Governor Uzodinma.
Findings reveal Ihedioha, who "assumes himself" the "apex" leader of Mbaise people had made desperate moves to thwart the event to prevent any attempt to exalt Uzodinma on Mbaise soil. Sources say he reached out multiple times to members of the Ezuruezu Mbaise urging them to cancel the festival citing insecurity. He was rebuffed.
Having failed to scuttle the Iriji, Ihedioha had retreated to his country home on August 15 to hold his own 'ceremony' attended by "weary" PDP leaders.
"Sometimes I worry that we have conceded too much to these politicians," said one of the organisers who pleaded anonymity. "Imagine [Emeka] Ihedioha asking us to cancel the Irji again just because Governor Hope Uzodinma will attend and be honored with a chieftaincy title.
"Can you imagine that? So because he lost his chance as governor the whole world should stand still? I am disgusted that he keeps trying to politick with even sacred and traditional matters. Why the ceaseless attempt to pit Mbaise people against the governor and his government? What will it profit him to demonize our clan and make us look uncooperative?
"For crying out loud, power comes from God and he gives it to whoever he wills. Uzodinma is the governor but the state still belongs to all of us. We cannot contemplate sabotaging government because Emeka lost power. If government fails, we all fail. Moreover, there can only be one governor per time. I have told my colleagues, it is time we put our foot down before desperate and embittered politicians ruin what is left of our traditional institution.
"Yes, Emeka is our son. But Iriji Mbaise is not his personal brand, infact it is bigger than him, it is bigger than anyone of us. So the idea of asking Mbaise people and tourists to boycott the ceremony just because he is not in the spotlight is uncalled for and most pathetic."
While elders and chieftains showered encomiums on the governor as they bestowed the prestigious title on him and assured him of support and prayers, stakeholders rebuked Ihedioha for his polarizing politics.
"I am disappointed but not surprised. Once again, Ihedioha's ego cost him a golden opportunity to reinvent himself as a statesman," said Collins Ughalaa, Convener of Global Association of Concerned Imo Youths (GACIY).
"Rather than attempt to scuttle or even boycott the Iriji Mbaise, he would have come out to receive Governor Uzodinma, say a few words and then leave if he wanted to. This would have given him tremendous mileage.
"Unfortunately, he let pettiness and bitterness get the best of him as usual. Politics requires sportsmanship, and maturity. Emeka Ihedioha confirmed once again that he lacks both traits and cannot, and should not be entrusted the sensitive office of governor of a state as sophisticated as Imo.
"The insecurity excuse no longer holds water. To Uzodinma's credit, Imo is now much safer. Ihedioha himself has attended no fewer than a dozen burials and festivals within this period but he habitually laments 'insecurity'. He himself held a new yam festival gathering in his country home and invited friends. Yet he wants Iriji Mbaise called off due to insecurity. Such hypocrisy. I pity the diaspora who continue to sheepishly swallow these shallow lies.
"Fortunately, eyes are opening and our people now know that Uzodinma means well and his detractors will drown in their own deceit."
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