IHEDIOHA: A DOGGED POLITICAL FIGHTER @60
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.
The former Governor of Imo State, and one time Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nkem Ihedioha, CON, turns 60 on March 24, 2025. A colloquium and dinner have been planned in Abuja to honour the Mbutu Mbaise-born politician as he attains this remarkable milestone in his life. The colloquium is expected to provide an avenue for a critical evaluation of the nation`s political journey since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and the role of political actors like Ihedioha who have continued to feature prominently in the emergent political order.
At 60, Ihedioha has recorded impressive achievements that have clearly distinguished and established him among his generation. He has everything to be grateful to God who has continued to order his footsteps and seeing him through difficult challenges and tough times. There is, therefore, every justification for rolling out the red carpets and cymbals in celebration of a life of impact and substance.
On this auspicious occasion, I join the legion of his friends to rejoice with him and bear witness to an illustrious political career that is propelled by service. I have known Emeka for about 35 years now. Our paths first crossed in Lagos around 1990 when I was on the Political Desk of the Daily Times. He was then working with Chris Mammah who ran a PR firm in Oregun. Mammah was later to serve as Special Adviser on Media to Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON. I and Emeka related closely and subsequently forged a relationship that has endured till date.
His progression and growth in politics is a testament to his power of resilience, tenacity and consistency. From a little beginning as a foot soldier within the Yar`Adua-Atiku political family, Emeka has over the years effectively learned the political ropes and risen to eminent heights. He is a strong-willed personality who believes in loyalty to friendship. He also believes in values-driven politics. This has greatly earned him the confidence of his superiors and contemporaries alike.
In these days of vacuous politicking where our politicians stand for nothing, Ihedioha stands out as a principled tactician with strong moral character. He could be irascible at times, but that does not take anything away from his commitment to the public good. He is a dogged political fighter who enjoys the confidence of his people.
With the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Ihedioha plunged himself fully into politics, having realized that it is the most potent route through which power can be achieved to advance the interest of the people. As a pragmatic student of politics, Ihedioha knew quite early that politics, as David Easton rightly posited, is all about the “authoritative allocation of values”. He has, therefore, conscientiously worked hard to place himself in situations where he could be involved in resource allocation.
At the inception of the current political dispensation in 1999, he served variously as Special Assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Utilities, Senator Liyel Imoke; and Media Adviser to the then Senate President, Senator Chuba Okadigbo. I was serving in that position with Senator Evan Enwerem, the first Senate President of the Fourth Republic. Emeka took over from me following the removal of Enwerem in November 1999 and his replacement by Okadigbo.
When Okadigbo was removed from office eight months after, Ihedioha was engaged in the Presidency as the Political Assistant to Vice President Atiku Abubakar. It was from there that he left in 2003 to run for election into the House of Representatives to represent Aboh Mbaise- Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State.
He won the election and had the honour to serve in that capacity for 12 years.
Ihedioha had a successful sojourn in the National Assembly. As a first timer, he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport. He was later to serve as Chief Whip and Deputy Speaker, making him one of the four Presiding Officers in the National Assembly. He effectively utilized the positions in empowering his constituents and attracting meaningful infrastructural projects Imo State.
In 2015, after serving out his tenure as Deputy Speaker, he joined the governorship race in his State. He was elected the flag-bearer of his Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But he lost the election to Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who was then a serving Governor. He tried again in 2019 and was elected the Governor. His tenure was short-lived as the Supreme Court in a controversial judgment overturned his election and declared Senator Hope Uzodimma who came fourth in the governorship election as the duly elected Governor. Ihedioha spent only seven months in the Douglas House, the seat of power in Imo State. But it was seven months of impactful progress.
Emeka`s political exploits have been quite remarkable. Within a relatively short period, he has been able to achieve so much while waddling through the murky and “sharks-infested” waters of Nigerian politics. It is a testament to his political resilience and strength of character. As he marks this milestone, I wish him sixty hearty cheers and many happy returns in good health.
Dr. Nwosu, a Scholar and Author of many books, writes from Abuja.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com