The Mbah/Ossai Political Armada

By Chukwuemeka Aroh

The Mbah/Ossai political Armada has set sail. A political fleet of many heavy support groups, individuals and political actors of all sorts on the 12th day of October will set sail for a tremendous triumph under the command of the Duke of political organizing himself, Chief ikeje Asogwa (Ide Iheaka). The purpose of this unleashing of these political warships being to completely decimate the baby political demons on “pampers” who lately began to make faint political noise.

These are distractions that should be absolutely voided for Enugu state to experience the tomorrow that we had yearned for and now is here. Let us get sentiments out of the way and work on how to experience the next Big city. We can’t wait to get them out to have a state that is a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living. They should be out so we can have a replication of the Pinnacle miracle in our state. Let them leave the road for a people-focused administration to grow our economy from N4.4bn to N30 billion.

Thank goodness the commander, Chief Ikeje Asogwa is a political shogun and generalissimo who had been the commander-in-chief of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with resounding accomplishments which were displayed as victory all the way for PDP. This shows it is a familiar terrain for him just to repeat what he had always done. The choice of the commander alone is a potent step in the direction of success for the PDP and Barr Peter Mbah. They brought a man that works round the clock and yet social enough to accommodate every strata of persons in his friendship zone; a political terror to the disillusioned and scampering opposition.

As the campaigns kick off Barr Peter Mbah has started to accumulate more scores despite an already suffused score card that all we wait for is for him to ascend into lion building and let the transformation begin. Dr Mbah in a lunch meeting at a friends place, Hon Emeka Odo in Nsukka on Sunday, said “Politics has ended! we did politics during the primaries, now we are talking about our future and you can’t play politics with that.”

“That” meaning our collective future as a people and a state. Can you beat this egalitarian and charming statement towards the beginning of a political campaign season? It is simply a case of out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. This clearly shows who the man is and that the PDP gubernatorial candidate has a different mindset about politics, governance and leadership. No wonder he subscribes to and an example of the transcendental leadership ideology which portrays servant leadership that feels the pulse of the people driving towards their wellbeing at all times.

For a second, compare this thought line cum leadership style with that of those our brothers and sisters on the other side of the divide. They fail a primary election beautifully under the PDP, some of them enlightened and knowing it is unconstitutional still rushed to an internally displaced politicians (IDP) camp to become flag bearer. Funny enough they still are “Jostels in a roofless IDP camp: a story of Labour Party in Enugu state” as I wrote months ago but the fight is still on. This is a notion of politics as a do or die affair with no reflection about tomorrow. Do we really need to discuss those in other parties such as APC, APGA e.t.c who want to run for the elections for running sake with no concrete reason not even a malicious one.

This election in Enugu state should be issues based and about our future not the politics of allegations after allegations and “iko onu” as we have started to see even before the campaign as consultations were going on. Don’t do it, be like Peter, I know you got that. While these misguided opposition parties are busy throwing tantrums everywhere they go, Barr Dr Peter Mba is set to do something different without giving this distractions any attention.

On the 13th of October, just a day after the lifting of ban on governorship campaigns, Dr Barr Peter Mba will be unveiling his manifesto at Godfrey Okoye University, Thinkers Corner, Enugu. In a write up “Peter Mbah: A hike in governance expectation” I tried to portray  a manifestation preceding a manifesto where he is now a symbol of eldorado for Enugu state stating that without a manifesto we accept him hundred percent already. Despite all the accolades we are still getting a manifesto, Peter Mbah is indeed quintessential and phenomenal. He also already consolidated his winning when he made his choice of Deputy in the Person of Barr Ifeanyi Ossai. Initially when he highlighted that his deputy must be someone who will add value to the ticket we didn’t see this coming.

Barr Ossai an astute administrator with an electric brain, a powerful communicator and analyst. Most interestingly a youth and a political tactician. So when we shout that something is about to happen in Enugu don’t get it twisted because the Armada is a loaded one. Let me also remind you of some heavy make ups you need to know. The Leader of the PDP in the state, Chief Augustine Nnamani, 17 over 17, Ozo Igbo Ndu that has led PDP in the past seven years in grand style. A smooth operator who under his watch no PDP seat has ever been threatened. It has been one seamless victory to another. What of the Father of morden Enugu state Politics, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani former Governor of Enugu state and the Senator representing Enugu East senatorial zone who will continue to represent them. The founder of Ebeano, a man who laid the foundation of all that is happening in Enugu today. He gave Enugu a headstart many thanks to him if not the story today would have been different. Ebeano! Always remember that the Leader of the party in the state and sitting executive Governor of Enugu state, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the greatest political phenomenon Nigeria has seen in a while who quietly surmounts and crushes political nay sayers. He is the Incoming Senator of Enugu North senatorial zone, the Omeogo of Enugu state. Gburus! He will oversee this Armada and you know what that means because he never shoots to miss. It’s also worth mentioning as the youths are strength of any society. Engr Osita Ngwu, the incoming Senator representing Enugu West senatorial Zone. A youth and the master of grassroot mobilization, a political lesson and research in Enugu state. His Influence in the west is overwhelming that he is adjudged as the winner already. Remember the Armada is legion and we can’t mention all. Many Support groups lined up like Peter Mba Support group ( PMSG) led by Emeka Ogbu-Nwobodo with structures in every ward and polling units. What more do we need to say than “opposition chakwaa na uzo” to avoid being crushed, throw in the towel honourably and join the winning team. The PDP has its hands wide open to welcome everyone, join the tranquil PDP family and vote the umbrella. PDP all the way.

• Dr Chukwuemeka Aroh, Politician and Public Relations Expert, is DDG Campaign and activities PMSG( Peter Mbah Support group)