2023: UZODIMMA'S MEDIA HANDLERS TACKLE FORMER SACKED GOVERNOR, CHIEF EMEKA IHEDIOHA, OVER ALLEGED RELIGIOUS FRATERNITY WITH AMINU TAMBUWAL AND OTHER ISLAMIC CLERICS IN THE MOSQUE.

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Owerri, Imo State.

I have read rather with some reservation the deluge of puerile, atavistic and mischievous misinterpretations, misrepresentations , twist of narrative, controversy, and the expected social hullabaloo by a number of uninformed paid media hirelings of the 3R Government about a most humbling, but trending online picture wherein the sacked Imo State governor and Mbutu -Mbaise born boardroom political strategist, Chief Emeka Ihedioha , was spotted praying at the Mosque with his friend and long time political ally; Sokoto State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal , for the repose of the soul of his elder, Muhammadu Bello.

At a trying time like this, in our corporate existence as a nation;where the nefarious activities of the Islamic Sect, Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, etc, through their blind religious bigotry and intolerance have sprung up subsisting social-vices like; banditory, kidnapping for ransome and killings across the country. It is important to build and promote a healthy of concept of religious harmony so as to meet the challenges posed by religious diversity in a globalized world. On the basis of recognizing religious diversity and differences, all religions should enhance mutual understanding and empathy through dialogue, shoulder the common responsibility of upholding peace and justice through cooperation, and foster intra-and -inter- religious harmony and harmony between the religious community and the larger society. It's imperative also, to promote the principle of ''harmony without uniformity" , and to respect each other and jointly shoulder social responsibilities. The use of religion to cause division and other ill purposes should be opposed and religious extremism should be guarded against.

Unfortunately, 'the sons of Sceva' on the Imo media social space rather than channel their wasteful energy in convincing Imo people of the very need to support the Shared Prosperity Administration under Gov. Hope Uzodimma; of course, a people whose reservations about the government of the day is not only repulsive, and smacks of collective social apathy due to the corner-corner way of governance , they are busy delving into a religious or faith based issue where they have no strength to practically and academically get involved in.

I laughed in Swahili reading a shallow and empty press release by a faceless group where Chief Emeka Ihedioha was addressed as '#MallamEmekaIhedioha.' It is either done to catch a cruise, to impress the sponsors of this group without a known office address, or vilify the former sacked governor who is seriously warming up to return back to power ahead of the 2023|2024 Imo Governorship Election. With all the signs of growing support base titling towards him or any emerging governorship aspirants with reach, presence and acceptability. As casual opinion sampling among Imo people shows a pointer for growing call for a new government. The political tide could also turn around through undisputed record of improved performance in governance and infrastructural development.

Nevertheless, as at my last check, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, a Knight of St. Christopher in the Anglican Church Communion, is not an Iman and has not been turbaned by any Northern Emir or religious leader unlike Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha , who was turbaned by the Daura Emirate Council as The Magan Alheri Hausa (The Great Giver to Hausa people), while his son in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu was turbaned by the Emir of Dass in Bauchi State as The Dan Zaki Dass (Prince of Dass). The confernment of such title on Uche Nwosu as a Prince in a foreign land, to me, was not only ironical but a waste of Imo State resources as he received the honour during his glorious days as Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government.

While I don't hold brief for the sacked Imo governor, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who is known for his unforgiving spirit, clannish politics and vendetta against sworn political enemies , it sounds rather too petty an opinion for the media supporters of Sen. Hope Uzodimma to disturb our peace with their lopsided line of arguments that the 'Green Cap political maverick' is so desperate and could go to any length to pleadge loyalty to be returned back to power. They have also alleged that Emeka Ihedioha is the real traitor that could sell Imo State out to the Northern Caliphate for power. These end time media messengers of the 3R Government, inorder to give their point some validation, propped up one of the pictures wherein Chief Emeka Ihedioha was also on his knees in what appeared like a genuflection before the Muslim leaders in attendance at the Jumat prayer session with Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Bello. Placing side by side in comparison the pictures where Gov. Hope Uzodimma was either praying in the church, or receiving papal blessings from the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Arch Bishop AJV Obinna , with the one where 'Mallam Emeka Ihedioha' was squatting on a mat in the Mosque during a masjid supplication. To them, that is the definition of political desperation.

And I ask: " Who among Nigerian politicans is not as ambitious as desperate ?" For a man who came a distant 4th position to have thrown caution to the wind and jumped on to the 1st position with the assistance of the Supreme Court, what better way can one describe desperation in politics and power tussle other than the 'Ben Johnson Way' in which he ascended the throne.

However, what these hired media handlers have failed to understand is that being a Knight of either Anglican Church or Catholic Church doesn't give one direct ticket to heaven, but righteousness does. Emeka Ihedioha is neither a pastor nor a traditional ruler, but a typical Nigerian politician who could use any strategy to gain supports across all social-political divides. And as a politician, he may have even gone to more dreadful places like Okija Shrine or Ogwugwu shrine in the course of political consultations. He is also at liberty to do so since he is not called to the pulpit to preach the gospel. Ihedioha is no Saint. And no known or unknown Nigerian politician is. Ours is a dirty murky political waters as one must pass through many bridges to fetch from the deep sea.

Religion is a very strong belif system. As a Christian or Moslem, if your conscience allowed you to freely join a friend or associate to worship in their Church or Mosque on a personal invitation, although during a special occasion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It becomes a profanity of one's faith when one denounces God for personal mundane gains or under a threat of Islamization or religious apostasy because of the coming reign of the Anti-christ .

Emeka Ihedioha did no wrong by identifying with a very close political ally turned brother during his time of trial despite the choice of location; as true friendship knows no tribe, no language, no religion, no culture or political differences.

+ Njoku MacDonald Obinna

Publisher,

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