In the last couple of weeks there has been sustained media attack on the personality of Prince Engr. Dr. Arthur Eze following his altercation with governor Obiano arising ostensibly from his involvement in the visit to the Presidency with some select traditional rulers of his home state Anambra. And as is characteristic of him, he had borne it all with equanimity. Although, this is by no means an attempt to exonerate or praise Prince Arthur Eze, but I think that the sponsored attacks are misplaced and unwarranted.
Those who do not know the remote cause of the matter may be misled by the media reports. Prince Eze a well-known philanthropist and power broker in the South-east has used his influence and political muscle to attract the establishment of a police zonal command in the South-east with its headquarters in Ukpo his home town against the wish of the governor who had wanted it in his own hometown Agulueri. Arthur having realized that a major problem of his area is security and having reportedly spent over $1m supporting security services, a little wonder then police authorities opted to site the newly created Zone 13 in his home town, Ukpo. The governor felt slighted and thus their relationship went frosty. The opportunity to get back at the genteel Prince Arthur came when he led some traditional rulers on a thank-you visit to the president at Aso Rock. Upon their return, Governor Willie Obiano slammed suspension on the traditional rulers for visiting Abuja without his permission and more especially to punish them for identifying with the redoubtable Prince of Ukpo Kingdom. Otherwise why would an innocuous visit to President Buhari elicit such unwarranted umbrage and controversy when the governor is an ardent supporter, albeit secretly, of President Buhari?
But why would a governor whose mandate includes protection of lives and property in his state begrudge Arthur Eze for influencing the siting of the new police zonal command in Ukpo? Is Ukpo not part of his state? Why didn’t the governor himself attract federal presence in his home state if he was that influential? Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige has been a minister for over five years, what development project has he been able to attract to his people. None; and yet they attack Prince Eze for doing what they could not do. The whole thing boils down to jealousy. Arthur is a dominant political figure in Igbo land. He is not called the godfather for nothing. No amount of blackmail or mudslinging can diminish his political stature. He has never been in government nor held any elective post yet, he works more than the elected representatives and the political office holders. Indeed, those attacking Arthur Eze should bury their heads in shame.
Without mincing words, I think the attack on Prince Eze is a clear show of lack of respect by the Governor Obiano and Dr. Ngige. Granted, Obiano is the sitting governor while Ngige is a top political office holder in this regime but the fact remains that the Prince of Ukpo is their senior and should be accorded that respect. We are Africans, we are cultured people. If for whatever reason, Prince Eze has “erred” by visiting the Presidency as we are meant to believe should the matter not have been handled quietly without attracting public opprobrium, as it is done in other areas? Why the rancor and acrimony?
Again, it also smacks of ingratitude. Ngige is one of the many Anambrarians who have benefited immensely from Arthur Eze’s largesse in the past. As a member of PDP, I recall that it was Eze who influenced the appointment of Ngige as the PDP deputy secretary before he became governor after the exit of Governor Chinwoke Mbadinauju. Again, at a great personal risk, Arthur Eze had supported Ngige during his travails in the hands of the godfathers when he was the state governor. Also, Eze had supported Ngige’s senatorial election against the late Prof. Dora Akunyili and against the wish of the then state governor; Dr. Peter Obi. Thus, Ngige owes his ascendancy and growth in politics to the support and sponsorship of people like Eze whose act of generosity is legendary. Therefore Ngige’s belligerent attitude to Prince Eze appears like an act of ingratitude. If Ngige wants to use the name of Prince Eze to score cheap political gain as speculated in some quarters then it is unfortunate and opportunistic.
Interestingly, before now, the governor had on many occasions publicly paid glowing tribute to the Prince of Ukpo Kingdom, acknowledging his benevolence and support. The governor had said on several occasions that other politicians in the state come to him to ask for help but Eze usually comes to him asking how he can help.
Again, why would Ngige, a serving minister and an avowed supporter of President Buhari be angry that people from his zone visited the president on a solidarity visit if not for foolish ego? Does Arthur Eze need the permission of Ngige to see the president? It is said that Ngige’s grouse against the flamboyant Ukpo Prince began in 2017 when Eze refused to support his governorship ambition wherein he had told Ngige that for equity and justice the Anambra North Senatorial District should be allowed to complete their term as governor of the state. Recall that Anambra South had their turn with Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju. Anambra Central had its turn with Ngige and later with Peter Obi after Ngige was removed through a judicial process. Therefore the support for Anambra South by Prince Arthur Eze was fit and proper.
Clearly, Ngige’s attitude is unbecoming of that required of public office holders. Ethically, public officers as representatives of the people are expected to comport themselves with a measure of decorum. They are expected to speak less and work more. But not with the cantankerous Ngige who has made controversy his habit. He is misrepresenting the Igbos and this seems to fuel the wrong and damaging speculations that the Igbos cannot organize themselves.
No doubt, Ngige has developed an uncanny penchant for controversy. From his era as governor of Anambra state controversy has been part of his life. As a labor minister he has had issues with the organized labor and a section of the media. He had had issues with Adams Oshiomhole the erstwhile All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman and recently the Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige, was at daggers drawn with the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. James Faleke representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, over the suspension of the board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during which time Ngige tried to drag Senator Ahmed Bola Tinunbu into the matter by comparing himself needlessly with APC chieftain. And now he has joined issues with Prince Arthur Eze for an innocuous matter that ordinarily should not concern him. Instead of mediating in the matter of Prince Eze and the governor, Ngige mischievously joined the fray. If he was desirous of mediating in the matter he could have done that quietly and honorably without giving the hawks in the media something to feast on. In his native Alor, Ngige seems to be at loggerheads with his people. Confirmed media report has it that protesters from his community numbering over five thousand people led by the President General Alor Peoples Convention Caretaker Committee, Hon. Chris Okudo demonstrated recently against his conduct which is interpreted to be subversive, causing acrimony, bitterness and hatred in the community.
Finally, as one who has known the Prince from close quarters having interacted with him at personal, corporate and political levels I know he loves his people dearly. I’m by no means saying that he is inerrant as nobody is but he is conscientious. He is one who would deploy his personal resources to empower his people. Instead of castigating him, he should be celebrated. Of a truth, his type is rare.
Mohammed, an actress, social activist, politician, writes from London, UK via [email protected]
