•Uche Nwosu
Yesterday, the Supreme Court gave a ruling, which beyond ending the Ugwumba Uche Nwosu well-deserved and popular governorship candidature for 2019 electoral season, may have also guaranteed a full and uninterrupted four years tenure to the present governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha. His Excellency Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, in his characteristic statesmanship, sportsmanship and equanimity has accepted this verdict, thanked his numerous and passionate supporters and further made a commitment to continue to contribute to the development and government of the State.
Everyone, except the very cynical lot, have commended the youthful and energetic 2019 APC governorship candidate for the honorable path he has taken. A major takeaway from that personally authored statement of his is that he is not a desperate man. His ambition to govern Imo State was not based on anything other than rendering service to the people of Imo State and bringing prosperity to as many people as possible.
When the news of the judgement filtered in, some of us were seething in regrets, but within a few minutes, Ugwumba walked in, melting our anger with his smiles that I had to wonder like always, what kind of heart God gave him. He is a satisfied man and to him, the end of this race is not the end of his dreams. He has moved on and is obviously set to make huge impacts, going forward.
Before politics, Ugwumba had a life and outside politics, Ugwumba still has a life. He has business and professional interests to fall back on, and he is already doing that. He is one of those who do not see politics as a full-time engagement and he would always encourage his supporters and campaign staff to develop other personal skills and trades to help them survive outside politics.
One of the key gains of this mindset is that it has enabled him to keep a clean record in his public service career- a record of integrity and a commitment to excellence. It has made him see politics as a game rather than a war, and a platform for service rather than an opportunity to cheat. He has given a good account of himself and the future is certainly bright for him in politics and in other private endeavors of his.
On a personal note, I am very proud to have been part of the Ugwumba project from beginning to end, and it was as much enlightening to me, especially, as it affects the Nigerian political system. I also think that the experiences of that successful campaign are worth documenting and sharing to the wider public as it will be helpful to upcoming and practicing politicians to learn more about the murkiness of Nigerian politics.
Next year, I shall, by God’s grace present a book on this, with the title: THE UGWUMBA PHENOMENON! This book is not a commissioned work, hence, will be very detailed and quite revealing. Because the major motivating factor behind this book is to clear off some misconceptions about the Ugwumba candidature, as well as enlighten us about the intrigues of the politics of 2019 elections, with particular emphasis on the Imo governorship, I think it is a book you can’t wait to read. Already, my publisher has the first draft, and this concluding chapter is the only one left.
I am more confident than ever that His Excellency Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, my boss, my friend and my big brother, has a very sparkling political future and he shall reach his goals.