* This looks like cryptic message/endorsement


Today is his birthday. I wish him good heath, joy and divine grace.

He is Mr. Emeka Ihedioha. He was at various times the Chief Whip and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He won the 2019 Governorship election, set up government and after seven months was removed by the Supreme Court at the suit of Mr. Hope Uzodinma, who is now the Governor of Imo State, by virtue of that court’s decision.

I met Emeka Ihedioha in a meaningful sense for the first time when I was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive of NERC. I had rough times with some committee chairmen of both chambers. Ihedioha brokered peace between me and one of the committee chairmen. One day I ran into him at Heathrow and he called me to advise me to take it easy with the legislators. He said Aruma Otteh and I are the only ones giving the legislators too much wahala. He laughed and and I promised to do my best not to give too much hell to those using legislative processes to heckle me. My impression of him was one who cared about his people and was effective in managing crisis situations.

Later when I aspired to run for Governorship of Imo State under APGA, I encountered him again. APGA had aborted our primary and we formed New APGA. Ihedioha called me and sympathized with me and solicited my support. I promised him I would support his candidacy because he was the most qualified left in the race. I left to Abuja to do election analysis and the rest is history. He won the election and was sworn in as Governor.

Interestingly, immediately after the election results were declared I wrote a Facebook post arguing that the election does not mark the redemption of Imo State. I argued that based on my prophetic insight, Imo people still have more years to suffer bad governance. I didn’t say this out of spite to ihedioha but out of a clear realization of the value crisis in Imo politics.

It did not take long and I got a cal from a younger brother of Emeka Ihedioha who told me his brother would want me to be included in his advisory committee. I agreed to the suggestion. That’s how I became a member of the Technical Committee for Emeka Ihedioha’s transition.

After we finished the work of the technical committee I got another call from Dr Albert Okorogu asking me to chair the Board of the Imo State Power and Rural Electrification Agency. I told him I was not interested. He begged that I was the only person whose reputation could protect him to execute the responsibilities of the office of Chief Executive. I told him I would get back to him. Of course I didn’t bother to consider the offer. He reported to Governor Emeka that I would not accept. Governor Emeka Ihedioha called me and requested we meet to discuss. At the meeting, he made an appeal that touched my heart. When I told him that there are many people in Imo State who need a job he could tap on to be chair of the board, he said, “Sam, you have been trying to serve our people. Now there is an opportunity, won’t you come and serve”. At that point I told him I would serve. I requested for the list of proposed members of the board. I quickly observed that there was no female on the list. He expressly gave me authority to shop for a competent female member. I found a great female and he agreed.

A few months after the inauguration of the board, the governor was sacked by the Supreme Court. Senator Hope Uzodinma was quickly sworn in as Governor.

The night Emeka Ihedioha was sacked from power, I visited him at his residence in Abuja. I saw extraordinary equanimity. Ever since, he has conducted himself publicly in the most respectful manner; never obstructing the man who replaced him in a provoking and hostile manner. Governor Hope Uzodinma has also played calmly and respectfully toward Emeka Ihedioha.

There is a consensus that Emaka Ihedioha set up the best beginning of a government in Imo State. His politics may be controversial. But his governance was simple and sensible. He is better than the rest after Mbakwe in appointing the right people for the right job. In my view, he has a far better understanding of governance than those who came before him and after. He set up his government better than those who came before and after him.

At a fairly young age of 58, Emeka Ihedioha has achieved a lot in politics. He has built a tremendous reputation as an effective political mobilizer and manager. He is gung-ho and courageous. He admires intellect and is ready to listen to competent people. He is resilient and tactical. His scorecard is good both as a legislator and a 7 months governor of Imo State.

I believe the future looks even brighter for him. May God protect and bless him and his family