By Ori Martin
Most Igbo people of adult age find it absolutely difficult to differentiate between the axiom: “Azuka” and “Nkeiruka”. But this is not the theme of this piece. We are dealing with the socioeconomic political and cultural philosophy of the former governor of Imo State, The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, Omenkeahuruanya.
Ihedioha has been displaying a highly sophisticated albeit simple and straightforward worldview philosophically anchored in the Igbo mantra of Nkeiruka. It is treated and moulded as a proper noun.
Nkeiruka simply means hope for a greater tomorrow. Nkeiruka demonstrates the capacity of an Igbo to pragmatically and assiduously confront any challenge to a successful end. Nkeiruka is not just a mere consolatory nuances. It is not even a bonus meant to give momentary assurances that do not sufficiently give a clear cut direction to success.
After his fulfilled sway at the Federal House of Representatives where he ultimately emerged the deputy speaker and eventually signed off as the speaker, Ihedioha, a man who has been tenaciously consistent in character, commitment and courage in service to humanity and delivery of dividends of democracy to the masses, aspired to lead his people as governor in 2015.
The election was keenly contested and the then serving governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was returned winner after the polls headed for a supplementary dimension. It was the first of its type in the country.
Unruffled and unperturbed, Ihedioha, holding faithfully to the Igbo philosophy of Nkeiruka, crawled into his political factory where he revamped, restructured as well as reorganized his political strategy. It was absolutely sensational.
Enroute 2019, during the electioneering, Ihedioha strutted Imo political firmament by storm. His campaign was awesome as it was glamorous and exciting. His message was electrifying yet simple. He spoke directly to the masses in the language they instantly assimilated and candidly understood. He urged them to have trust and confidence in him, insisting he was the best of the governorship candidates.
Galvanizing Imo electorate across the three geo political zones, Ihedioha, with his abiding conviction in the Nkeiruka mantra, Ihedioha campaigned with the slogan: “Together We Shall Rebuild Imo”. The thematic undertone of his campaign crusade was succinctly captured in that well tailored coinage. Ihedioha was declared the winner of the 2019 Imo governorship election. Both the tribunal and the court of appeal upheld his election. Sadly, the supreme court, in a most dramatic and controversial manner never witnessed in the judicial history of Nigeria, ruthlessly sacked Ihedioha.
It was 2020 and the COVID year. Thus, many thought it was end of the road for Ihedioha. They recklessly hit him mindlessly, expecting him throw in the towel. However, Ihedioha is a man who knows his onions. He is a real Igbo and a patriotic Nigerian. He knew then what Nkeiruka mean – secured future. He knew it was a gathering storm that would soon pass away. Where his traducers wanted him to take laws into his hands, he headed for the court. Where the hit him rudely for him to fall flat, he withstood their blows. Today, Ihedioha is stronger, bigger and better.
As the PDP became a mushroom party at state and national, Ihedioha resigned and came up with his Rebuild Imo Movement that has been established in all the wards in the state. This is Ihedioha’s mantra. This is his philosophy – Nkeiruka.
Ori Martin is a media professional
