Posted by By Joe Kalu on
Last Saturday August 20,2005 was a day set aside by indigenes of Asaga Ohafia in Ohafia LGA of Abia State to honour Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the National Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party over his new appointment.
Last Saturday August 20,2005 was a day set aside by indigenes of Asaga Ohafia in Ohafia LGA of Abia State to honour Chief Ojo Maduekwe, the National Secretary of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party over his new appointment.
Most of his kinsmen who were at the primary school field, venue of the occasion jeered at every speech made by chief Maduekwe while others chose to be indifferent and went about their normal businesses.
This negative reaction prompted The Telegraph to probe further and went to interview other indigenes. A middle-aged woman who was busy frying garri in her response asked " what has Ojo done to alleviate the suffering of our people since his political career?" The woman who preferred anonymity said apart from those who put on T-shirts that are Ojo's political supporters, no one benefited from him Another man who was playing drought drew the attention of our reporter to the two-kilometer track road that leads to chief Maduekwe's house. He queried: "Can't he, at least grade this road, assuming he is unable to tar it. But he won't do it, he will want people to believe that he is poor". Chief (Hon) Maduekwe in his speech said: "I don't regret my simplicity in life " and promised that the new executive of the PDP is poised to sanitize the system and most importantly dispose all lingering matters affecting the party.
In his response, Mr Dike Olugu rather defended chief Maduekwe by saying that the PDP National Secretary wants to show leadership by example, adding that "The impassable Port Harcourt/Enugu or Owerri/Onitsha Expressway will take priority over the road leading to his house. Chief Maduekwe who was a former transport Minister described himself and the National party chairman, Senator Chris Ali as the best combination that will take PDP to its desirable height.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd) cautioned the Igbos against the pull him down (Phd) syndrome which he observed has been the bane of the Igbos inability to achieve their national goals.
The former presidential candidate advised the Igbo elites to be loyal to constituted authorities and learn to be good followers. The highlight of the occasion was the conferment of "Nwa eji ejemba " of Ohafia on chief Maduekwe by the Ohafia Traditional Council of Chiefs. He was given an arrow and sword as a symbol of authority to fight his enemies.