My attention has been drawn to an unfortunate publication emanating from a press release issued by my brother and the People’s Democratic Party Council candidate for Okamu Ward in the just-concluded local government election of 2nd November, 2024.

Ordinarily, I would have dismissed it as an attention-seeking move for political relevance, but I am compelled to react for two reasons: the publication is sponsored through a national tabloid like Vanguard, and its intent is to turn the Okon-Aku community, Abia State and Nigerians against the deputy governor due to the recent community political outcome that did not favor some elements who have chosen this path of dishonor to vent their anger.

Addressing the False Narratives in Vanguard

For a councilorship candidate to allege that the deputy governor is after his life for winning overwhelmingly in his ward is absurd. The questions to ask are:

1. Was the contest only between Akuma of PDP and who else? Why is the deputy governor after your life alone?
2. If your mandate is presumed stolen, shouldn’t you seek redress through the electoral tribunal instead of a sponsored media trial?
3. Were there reports of any interference of the security agencies during the election in Okamu Ward, No! Then which electoral ABSIEC confirmed you winner whereas ABSIEC announced another candidate and gave them certificate of return?, Anyways, you tried well to contradict yourself in many parts, but you did not do enough to confuse us because people like me will not stand by to allow impunity to continue to rain supreme in our land to serve the interest of few at the expense of the rest of us.

Setting the Record Straight

The Abia State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has brought peace to Okon-Aku through his wise and pragmatic approach to leadership. He ensured a transparent process in selecting the Ezie Ogoo and Nnaka IV, which has eluded the community for ages and also brought serenity and peace to Okon-Aku after endless communal clashes. Anyone claiming otherwise is misleading. Okon-Aku owe him our gratitude and will not allow any son of the land to sacrifice this new found peace on the alter of his personal political mission/vendetta.

Arrest of Errant Okon-Aku Boys

Two Boys in the name of Ebi Kalu Ebi and Obinna Denis found new occupation in insulting every personality in Ohafia through their social media platform called Liberation Movement, including the Nnaka IV of Okon-Aku, and the Ezie Ogoo Okon-Aku, plus the Deputy Governor. These two boys are from the same compound as Hon. Igwu Akuma, and they have over 30 offensive audio records in public domain containing only insult and defamatory words. it is evidently clear from their confession that they were instigated to take that inglorious path, not knowing it will land them in trouble and these instigators will not show faces for their rescue.

In order words, those arrested from Okon-Aku were at the instance of Okon-Aku leadership, not the deputy governor. My blood brother, N.Dr. Ngele Agwu Kalu, was arrested in the process due to personal differences with the facilitator, not election-related matters. After consulting with the deputy governor, he ordered their release, advising Ebi and Obinna to turn their medium to positive advocacy, and promised them his support to become better persons.
Only a father figure will do that.

A Word of Advice

Igwe Akuma, as a young and aspiring politician, your career will end if you choose vendetta over honour and sportsmanship. There’s always another election. Imposing your pain on the community by instigating the state and the nation against our deputy governor, who has brought peace to our land after years of leadership tussle is unwise. Accept your defeat, move on, and prepare for another day. Nobody is after your life as it is insignificant compared to the peace that has come to dwell in our land.

A word is enough for the wise.