Comrade Simon Ebegbulem, a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Imo State, in this thought provoking writeup, unmasks forces of retrogression at national and state levels, whose sole aim is to roll back the hands of time in infrastructural and socio-economic achievements recorded in the last six years under the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led administration, and their vexatious antics in fight against his return to the Senate

The past week was particularly rife with two politically choreographed developments. Two occurrences that one ordinarily would have considered unconnected, soon enough were to be exposed as coming from same direction, the prime target of which was the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).

It is no longer news that Governor Uzodimma, under whose chairmanship the PGF has enviably and unprecedentedly increased in membership to 31 states’ Chief Executives, aims to return to the Red Chambers, and possibly take effective charge there, in the unwavering interest for more accelerated national growth under the continued leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his second term of office.

Fortunately for the governor, his kinsmen from Orlu, last week, unanimously purchased his nomination and expression of Interest form, begging him to return to the Senate. And, the governor accepted their call with a view to consolidate the gains of President Bola Tinubu’s administration through quality legislation, infrastructural and human capital development. He unequivocally expressed his commitment towards advancing the goals of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for national progress.

Stating that he is responding to calls from the Imo West community to serve, he further explained that his move is driven by the desire to solidify President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda through effective representation, legislation, and development.

Yet, it is this very honest and patriotic declaration of call to duty that got some of our Distinguished Senators and some enemies of democracy, both in Imo and outside the state scared, rankled, worried and cowered, as to send them into unexplainable paroxysm, and the eventual but not well thought out sad turn that blinded them into wanting to upend the very Constitution which they had sworn to uphold.

Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (Edo North) made to caution them, but they rather not harken to the words of sanity. Matter of fact, the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the obviously scripted session that unlawfully made to preempt the likely leadership composition of the yet to arrive 11th Assembly, shifting the goal post by way of Senate rules amendment, as to limit or determine who will or will not ascend to positions already deemed exclusives to themselves. Expectedly, the Senate President, would brook no opposition to this, as he exhibited his other side, coming down hard on the unflinching Comrade who made to raise a point of order, notwithstanding their supposed closeness at the personal level.

Were they to be truly Distinguished, Senator Oshiomhole, a former Governor (Edo State), same as Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State), aside haven held position as the country’s former No. 1 Labour Leader, is deserving of open apology, on the very floor of the Senate, where he had been threatened with the ‘rules book’ by an uncompromising Akpabio.

While the charade was ongoing right in the hallowed Red Chambers, their Siamese script unfolded elsewhere, with the presumptuous news of the purported removal and replacement of Governor Uzodimma as Chairman of PGF.
Fortunately, the PGF immediately debunked the story, asserting that governor Uzodimma remains the chairman of the Forum. Then you ask, why are they after a man who has exhibited so much loyalty and doggedness in propagating the policies of President Bola Tinubu? Could it be out of jealousy? Or, his rising profile and closeness to Mr. President?

Diligent investigation revealed how certain politicians in Imo State, in cahoot with partners outside the state suddenly appeared seeking for senatorial tickets with a view to puncture the political stability the people of the state enjoy under Uzodimma. Recall that former governor Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, both of who ironically are seeking to vie for Senate seats, lent hands, and are actively playing spoilers, in vain attempts to discredit ONWA who no doubt has vanquished them politically.

To be certain, Orlu zonal APC has adopted Uzodimma as the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial ticket.

According to the state APC spokesperson, Dr Jones Onwuasoanya, “In Imo West Senatorial District, the party is unapologetic about its adoption of Senator Hope Uzodimma as the sole aspirant, if he accepts the call by party members from the district and across Imo State and beyond to step forward and vie for the senatorial election…”

Okorocha is from the same Senatorial zone as the governor, while Senator Ifeanyi Ararume is from Imo North senatorial zone.

Okorocha it was that in utter selfishness sought to destroy Imo APC, following his failure to install his in-law as party governorship candidate. Not done, he went ahead to sponsor the said son-in-law to contest the position on a rival party ticket. That’s anti-party and should be penalised for that before his acceptance back fully into the party.
These leaders have been sleeping until they read that Progressives Governors Forum were rooting for their Chairman Uzodimma as the next Senate President.

With all the benefits of hindsight, we should therefore remain mindful and very careful in our choice(s) of those we choose or vote to represent us, not only as federal lawmakers, but also at the state levels, else we play ‘palongo’ with our destinies.

The audacious attempt by the leadership of the 10th Assembly to amend Senate rules in ways that would have restricted who can contest for the office of Senate President serves as another expose in the many dangers that plague our national politics.

The proposed amendment sought to limit eligibility for certain Senate leadership positions to ranking senators with at least eight years of uninterrupted legislative experience, which in effect would have narrowed the democratic space, along shutting out likely better or more quality representations that are sure to come on board in the 11th Assembly.

That the Senate reversed itself on the matter is enough prove that more courageous and patriotic Nigerians such as His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma are needed on ground to steer the Senate along directions that uphold our national interests.

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