Date Published: 08/02/10

Sir

Onyeka Onwenu's grouse with Ohakim and PDP

One of the cover stories of Sunday Independent of August 1, 2010 was based on the above headline. For years now, Ms Onyeka Onwenu has been gunning for the elusive Chairmanship of Ideato Local Government of Imo State. There seem to have been a PDP primary that would position the next Local Government elections in Imo State and Onyeka has cried aloud that one Chief Tony Ezenna of Orange Drugs has been disturbing the process of selecting who represents tht Ideato at all levels of governance. Therefore, she does not see how a man she says cannot withstand her status should be calling the shots.

She also did not take it kindly with Governor Ohakim. She sounded betrayed by Ohakim after she had reshaped Imo State Arts Council which Ohakim appointed her to as the Chairman. Because of Ohakim’s romance with Orange Drugs boss, Onyeka has resigned from the board of the Art Council and also from the PDP, which she described as a party without internal democracy. Ohakim may have promised Onyeka chairmanship ticket of Ideato local government and this should be investigated; it would also been undemocratic so to do.

Nevertheless, one feels that Ohakim has done a lot for Stars of Imo State origin. Last time I visited Owerri I saw that pictures of Ohakim, Onyeka and Kanu Nwankwo adorned most of the billboards on the streets. To me, this is a great honour done to those worthy children of Imo State because if you come to Akwa Ibom, you would see the billboards of (only) Governor Akpabio. The State governor ignored Stars from the place including the bird that laid the golden egg and who happens to be in Onyeka’s category, Mrs. Christy Essien Igbokwe; we also have ex-football and boxing champions. We now read former President Ibrahim Babangida confirm that it was Christy’s persistent pressure that earned the littoral States the abrogation of the onshore/offshore dichotomy that is today benefiting tremendously those littoral States especially Akwa Ibom State.

Onyeka should take it easy; PDP should introduce internal democracy; Ohakim should avoid more controversies.  

Israel Effiong, 79 Tayo Kehinde Street, Egbeda, Lagos

israeleffiong@yahoo.com