Ben Obi’s Negative Characterization of Umeh, A Sponsored Mischievous Charade Cum Travesty

By Achebe C. C, Esq

I stumbled on a piece of writing captioned: *”Victor Umeh: A Hypocritical Money Monger, He Will Continue To Labour In Vain”,* which was credited to High Chief Ben Obi( Mbuze Agulu, Igwe APGA), and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. It was a particular orchestrated falsehood criss-crossed with fabrics of ignorance, outright lies, emotional blackmails and fabrications which caught my undivided attention.  

However, for emphasis, Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, *OFR* have promised not to engage on personal attacks of candidates going for an election, including his political traducers but that does not imply in any way that,  lies and misinformation should not be addressed accordingly. You don’t saturate the political ecosystem with vile propaganda against Sen. Dr. Victor Umeh by seeking to demonize him and presenting his political opponents as saints. It’s an absurdity! Truth be told, in as much as there is no virgin in the maternity ward, there is no ‘angel’ in the congregation of politicians. It is important to set the record straight so that even posterity will be glad that we chronicled events accordingly. Words have no wings but they can fly a thousand miles. *”Untill the Lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”-  Chinua Achebe.* 

In the same vein, I am seriously amused by the funny *’feed-my-belle’* online media organization that were supposedly created to attack the person of Sen. Dr. Victor Umeh, *OFR*. One of such organization is the so-called *Arisenews.ng.* I really cannot fathom what this online media organization is meant for or the justification of their existence. But I understand is an election season! The destructive critics are on the prowl. The mind-boggling question is; why  is Chief Ben Obi and his cohorts hell-bent on soiling the good name and reputation of Senator Dr. Victor Umeh? Understandably, stones and sticks are thrown only at fruit- bearing trees because they see a lot of harvest in you. I recall with nostalgia, the words of Albert Einstein who once said that *’ Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocres’.* *The Ben Obi types!*  People with momentum all share one trait; they attract criticism! But then, foolishness is an office. Somebody has to occupy it. Somebody must be foolish for wisdom to continue to have value. We are not oblivious of the fact that Umeh’s disgruntled traducers are jittery about his rising political profile and political prospects ahead of the year 2023 general elections. 

Apparently, Ben Obi’s sponsored mischievous charade cum travesty against Umeh is a failed ploy that is dead on arrival. We are not too docile and naive to comprehend the subterfuge sold to bamboozle the unsuspecting electorates, albeit in futility. That mischievous charade met a brick wall. Umeh’s traducers will soon find out that times have changed, and that the Igbo masses are not less intelligent than their misleaders. Issue-based campaigns must lead to issue-based voting where voters compare the ideologies of candidates in order to decide whom to vote. Ideology can never be defeated, it can only be countered by superior reasoning. 

Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, *OFR* has demonstrated and espoused the courage, fearlessness and bravery of a thoroughly bred Igbo man. A good lesson for the vultures! Of course, yes!!! 

Evidently, the *’victory bus’* has left the other Political Parties’ station and on its way to the *Labour Party* station, most assuredly. Perhaps, that triggered the cacophony and brouhaha from the opposition camp? We salute the spirit of sportsmanship that characterizes Senator Dr. Victor Umeh who keenly contested the Anambra Central Senatorial ticket under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance *(APGA)* vigorously but fairly submitting to the personal whims and caprices of the delegates. He could have challenged the outcome of the dog-eat-dog commercialized primaries but he pacifically took a bow in exercise of of his right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly; a fundamental human right he enjoys as a bonafide Nigerian citizen. But I got newsflash for you; There is no joy in victory without running the risk of defeat! Umeh have an allergy to money wrongly spent to procure election victory for avarice. He never wavered from that sense of public responsibility. It doesn’t matter if you love or loathe him, he just carries on like a bulldozer, pulling down dark, retrogressive strongholds and building dreams of what he believes an ideal society should be. Difficult roads often leads to beautiful destinations. Great things never come from comfort zones! *Labour Party is where God in his infinite wisdom chose to plant Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, OFR ( Ohamadike Ndigbo).*  When the chips are down, the progress- loving constituents of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone shall bask in the euphoria of putting doomsday prophets to shame! Umeh has God’s promises on that. A wise man knows his strengths. Umeh maintains his gaze on the ball and do not want to lose focus on some deceptive political talks. It is said that you can’t get to your destinations if you pause to throw stones at every barking dog. We must jettison the negativists who have allowed hate to clog their mind. 

I challenge Umeh’s black mailer in- Chief(Ben Obi), to display the court processes and judgement upholding Umeh as a ‘ *treacherous and hypocritical criminal’* as alleged, so that we can examine them together. We hold this truth to be self-evident that only a court of competent jurisdiction can separate the grain from the garbage. It must be emphasized that Chief Ben Obi is not permitted by any law to arrogate the powers of the court to himself. *Nemo judex in causa sua( You can’t be a judge in your own case).* Are we too docile to think logically? Umeh has no criminal record till date. Professionally, he is a registered and successful Estate Surveyor and Valuer who rose against many odds from a humble beginning to prominence and personal fulfilment. Jealousy is the last school to attend before becoming a witch! I bow to superior arguments, not political machinations, shenanigans and emotional blackmails. Alas! The same orchestrated script of years before, all over again? Truly, Umeh is causing his perceived political opponents sleepless nights. 

Those who narrowed their choice to Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, *OFR*, know they have seen a good and marketable product; a brand that will re-define the political and leadership narrative in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone. While others may make noise and try forcing attention, Umeh will quietly, strategically and meticulously work underground; doing the needful, meeting people, winning them over with his personal touch, charisma and shared values. He’s a proven achiever. Is there any need boring you once again with the way he transformed the despondent face of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone within a short space of time? Is it still necessary to bore you with his sterling performances at the red chamber? Don’t we all know about his brainwaves in the public sector, youth empowerment drive and community development? I guess all these are already documented. But, perhaps, and truly so, the progress-loving electorates see in Umeh a man of not only proven accomplishments, but a man they can *TRUST.* I’m petrified that Chief Ben Obi is alone on this wild goose chase! It’s inconsequential. 

If Senator Dr. Victor Umeh become re-elected under the platform of the *Labour Party(LP)* come 2023 general elections, God willing, APGA can proudly say that, that was former APGA National Chairman, the grand pillar of APGA, the man who laid the foundation and existence of the Party called APGA; a strong, bold, courageous, dynamic, resourceful and avowed defender of true tenets of Democracy who took APGA to the centre of Nigeria’ s political stage where Ndigbo stood up to be counted in the nation’s political history! It’s implication, is that APGA owes Senator Dr. Victor Umeh a *’ Thanksgiving Votes’* come 2023 general elections, regardless of new political affiliation. Chief Ben Obi must therefore, resist the temptation of bitterness and agent provocateur! Let those who have tongues, count their teeth correctly. In a closed mouth however, flies do not enter. 

 ACHEBE, C. C, ESQ 

 (PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST, WROTE IN FROM AWKA).