Opinion
Amaobi Ogah, ‘A Bull In China Shop’
By Ikechukwu Uzor
One of the sad paradoxes of Nigeria’s political process today, is the unfortunate believe that politics is an all comers affairs. It shouldn’t be. When charlatans are allowed a space in political leadership, they will lower the bar, and amplify the dictum that politics is an end in itself, instead of a means to an end.
When charlatans gets bite of power, character, decency and orderliness are lost because to them, the end justifies the means. Power is so sacrosanct to the wellbeing of the people, hence some level of outstanding qualities and character in leadership is required. On the flip side, those who relies on “might made right” to attain political leadership will bend any rule, subvert procedures to get it by all means.
The foregoing aptly captures the political life, strategies and gimmicks of Amaobi Ogah. Conversely, entrusting political leadership into the hands of political charlatans like Ogah is like giving a knife to a mad man, he will use it to injure others and himself.
Ogah, the Labour Party House of Representatives candidate for Isiukwato/Umunneochi federal constituency, in the February 25, election, is behaving like a bull in a China shop. Like a thug, he has the highest disregard for rule of law, as long as it will not assuage his gullible appetite, he pulls it down.
Shameless, Ogah that was shouting INEC’s praises to high heaven, when he was declared the winner of the Reps election in February, is now accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission of bias and underhand deals. Amaobi Ogah has transfered his frustration to INEC for a familiar reason – he had alleged that INEC has compromised the process of challenging his so called victory at the polls and for that reason he has lost faith in the process.
Ogah has moved from bullying and intimidation to accusing everyone during the process. It’s clear that his next move might be physical attack on the Judiciary and INEC officials. With this level of frustration, Amaobi Ogah might wake up tomorrow accusing his benefactor for foisting him on the people and thereafter himself for election malpractices.
Ogah, please allow the process run seamlessly. An adult of Ogah’s age should know that the Court relies the on strength of facts presented before it. Otherwise, his display of deliberate ignorance would force the believe out of anyone that he is that man who comes to the market with nothing and is ready to burn the investment of others to the ground because he has nothing to lose
Sadly, a fortnight ago, Amaobi Ogah, out of frustration attempted to drag the judiciary to the mud after his attempt to purchase a judgement through the backdoor hit the rock. When this move failed, Amaobi had no better way to vent his frustration, hence he deployed an unethical antics of blackmail and tantrums to mislead unsuspected Nigerians against the judiciary. He failed!
Early this week, Amaobi was dragged to various social media platforms by one Chioma Janey, a shoe vendor known as Chomzy Gold over his refusal to pay for the shoes he bought from her since December 2022, the same time Amaobi was going about campaigning for change in the society.
Chioma had in a post on her Facebook wall lamented that all efforts to get her balance of almost N150,000 from Amaobi failed, hence her decision to drag him out on Facebook. Anyone in Chioma’s condition would do the same, if not worse. Ogah should not always cheat his way in his attempt to live a larger than life lifestyle.
Chioma had quoted in her wall: “So during December 2022 period, I sold shoes and clothes worth 623,000 to a customer @Amobi he paid an initial deposit of N500,000 with promise to balance when he receive the shoes and clothes.
He confirmed receipt of the goods after his driver picked up from the park. But as at now he is yet to pay me the balance”
It took the intervention of people of good concience to speak sense into Amaobi to release the balance to the poor shoes vendor.
Controversies and condemnations trailed the ridiculous issue. The shameful act has portrayed not only Amaobi in bad light, it also concretised indelible doubts in the minds of those who were not convinced that the likes of Amaobi can’t be trusted with leadership responsibilities ,talk more of representing his people at the House of Representatives.
This alone explains how morally bankrupt Amaobi Ogah, the same man who wants to sit on the affairs of Isiukwator-Imunneochi at the Federal House of Representatives. A man who attempted to take from the poor, can do or say anything to get what he wants.
Regrettably, but not surprisingly, no credible media platform has deemed it necessary to drag characters like Amaobi out for proper public scrutiny.
Isiukwator/Imunneochi must however know the chilling effect and the wrong message this singular act by Amaobi has on them, if characters who by the virtue of their position in the society today will deliberately wanted to take a slice from the little gains of a poor shoes vendor and render her source of livelihood to almost zero, rather than support her business to grow. This is what we are talking about!
How many stories, how many revelations, how many exposés, will it take for the people to ask how do people like Amaobi got nominated by a political party to represent his people. Who would have known about this part of Amaobi, if Chioma had not raised the alarm over his refusal to pay her?
The poor Chioma must not only be commended, she must also be protected against Amaobi’s foot soldiers, who will stop at nothing to get back at her.
Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.