Contemporary social interactions are many times guided by past experiences. For some people who have had their fingers burnt in some past dealings with other persons, no amount of entreaties would do whenever they decide to refrain from showing magnanimity to anyone at the slightest glimpse of similar signs that led them into their previous unpleasant experience.
In other words, the popular saying of “once beaten, twice shy” underlies some persons’ seemingly rigid disposition towards the plights of others as they journey through life. This lays credence to the fact that no one would want to foolishly fall a victim of the same circumstance twice. Though it might sound ungodly in the ears of some extremely sanctimonious fellows, but when the chips are down, the true character of the ‘holier than thous’ is usually made manifest.
However, no matter what anyone says about Chief Edward Onoja, the present Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello today, from the standpoint of law of reciprocity, the last person expected to cast a stone at him shouldn’t have been the one he personally chose to be Deputy Governor of the state-Mr Simon Achuba.
Why shouldn’t it be Mr Achuba? Someone might ask. But for the umpteenth time, one would continue to reiterate that the current onslaught of this undeserving but well-favored Achuba on Mr Onoja would definitely jeopardize the chances of anyone seeking help from an unknown expected benefactor. It has more so proven to the entire world now that better it is to extend a favour to a crony than an alien; even if this stands as an antithesis to the philosophy of nation building that’s hinged on equity and justice. But come to think of it, are they not individuals that make up a nation? And so, if someone’s personal interest is not first safeguarded, how can that of the nation be guaranteed?
It’s therefore imperative to take the reader to the beginning of how Mr Achuba emerged as deputy governor in 2016. A retrospective appraisal of his choice at that material time, to say it again for the sake of emphasis, was undisputedly a direct function of the sheer benevolence of Chief Onoja. But the recent inglorious show of ingratitude by Mr Achuba would naturally prompt an imagination in every right-thinking mind that Chief Onoja would have been regretting that choice, more so that it happened at a time that he (Onoja) had an array of very close competent allies who would have prioritized the consideration of “one good turn deserves another” over that of politics.
For the record, among the hopefuls of the seat of the deputy governor in the state in the aftermath of the refusal of Chief James Faleke, Late Barrister James Ocholi (SAN), who was an All Progressives Party (APC) senior party stakeholder then, and who also was the highest ranking political office holder in Nigeria from Kogi East as a minister, had thrown his support behind Chief Gideon Ojata and Barrister James Ekpa for the position in question.
For persons oblivious of the these two persons that had the support of late Barrister James Ocholi (SAN), it’s good to give a little background. Chief Gideon Ojata was an astute banker and a professional colleague of Chief Onoja. Currently an International Psychology Consultant of repute who shuttles between the United States and Nigeria. The both of them (Ojata and Onoja) had worked as bankers in the same city of Makurdi for a couple of years and therefore had interacted from a pretty close range. It’s also important to quickly say that though Mr Ojata hails from and has a very robust political support base in his own local government-Ofu, unlike the kind of unpopularity that Mr Achuba experiences in his local government-Ibaji Local Government, Mr Gideon’s maternal ancestry is also Ogugu, the country home of Chief Onoja.
Besides having a maternal ancestry in Ogugu and hailing from Ofu Local Government which would have been politically unquestionable had he been given the deputy governor’s position, Mr Gideon would also have contributed immensely to the financial growth of the state with his wealth of experience in the banking sector and one who had managed the Kogi Stage account when he later came over to Lokoja as the Manager of First Atlantic Bank in the previous administrations in the State. This is not to mention his international connection that would have added real value to the state while the state was going through the financial crunch is was experiencing even before the present administration came on board. Irrespective of his hibernation in another party after the demise of his principal (Ocholi SAN), Mr Gideon has always demonstrated brotherliness by not subjecting his brother-Onoja to any public blackmail or ridicule.
Furthermore, Late Ocholi (SAN) also fronted Barrister James Ekpa, a complete grassroots politician with sagacity. Well loved and admired by people across all social strata of the society. A man who, against all odds has remained uncompromisingly committed the APC and has been an ardent supporter of the party and the state government. At, least, if not for anything, but for the sake of that ancestral affinity that he shares with Chief Onoja, as they are from the same Ogugu axis of Igala land. Barrister Ekpa’s political experience too and that which he has garnered in governance over the years, his imposing personality as a versatile attorney of many years would have as well stood him out in the discharge of his duties if he were considered by Chief Onoja for the position. But all these Chief Onoja jettisoned and went for Mr. Achuba.
However, someone might insinuate that it would have been politically unreasonable to have the deputy governor and the chief of staff come from the same local government. Yes, that consideration counted for a liberal-minded politician like Chief Onoja who reckoned that equity and justice should be brought to bare in politics of today.
But have we not seen politicians install their friends, brothers, wives, inlaws and even children to succeed them in office? Did the heaven fall when former governor of Imo State, Mr Owele Rochas Okorocha created a strange office called office of the Adviser for Happiness? Was he also crucified for trying to install his own son-in-law to succeed him in office? Even though he hasn’t succeeded yet, but he attempted it and they are still battling it out in court.
Another sterling example that readily comes to mind when we talk about politicians protecting their interests as far as power is concerned is that of Chief Bola Ahmed Tinunu of Lagos State whose wife is currently in the Nigerian Senate after being there for years now. There are numerous other known examples in that line that would have validated Chief Onoja’s action if he had facilitated the appointment of any of his kiths or kins to that position but he opted for Mr Achuba.
Come to think of it again, if one empathizes with Chief Onoja, looking back, wouldn’t it have been better to have chosen someone like Barrister Ekpa or Chief Ojata and face the momentary grumblings of just a few persons and letter balance things up with other political appointments than to have this kind of colossal disloyalty and ingratitude as displayed by Mr Achuba? At least, worst case scenario would have been that either Barrister Ekpa or Chief Ojata would have resorted to settling whatever rift on the home front and never to wash their dirty linen in the public or remain quiet? Is there anything Chief Achuba would say now that Kogi people do not know about the government, whether true or false? No wonder former governor of Lagos State, Barrister Tunde Fashola (SAN) replied some gentlemen of the press when they asked him to explain the strained relationship he began to have with his political god-father, Chief Tinubu, concerning his bid for second term. He said to them “do not ever pray that your loyalty be tested.” He later win his reelection through loyalty.
Now, it’s empirically worthy of note that, regardless of whatever political coloration anyone would want to give to the frosty relationship that is currently existing between Chief Onoja and Mr Achuba, with the magnanimity that the former had extended to the later, the former doesn’t deserve to be rewarded with this kind of worldwide open disgrace, disrepute and backstabbing.
Yes, magnanimity in the above sense shows that Chief Onoja had to look beyond better choices available to him in order to favour Mr Achuba whose political influence at that time had not only terribly waned, but was already headed for political extinction. This is not to mention the fact that he had inexplicably gone bankrupt. Sadly, what does Chief Onoja get in return? The answer is now in the public domain.
One would hereby conclude for now by saying that if any young and upcoming leader hasn’t learnt a thing or two from this whole show of ingratitude by Mr Achuba in the entire imbroglio that’s bubbling in Kogi State other than the political correctness or otherwise of Chief Onoja and or Kogi State government, then, that fellow is certainly waiting to be befallen by the greatest calamity of his life, and that would come right at the apex of his career. Case rested!
– Enejoh S. Ojotu writes from Abuja.
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