UCHE OGAH AND THE METAPHOR OF THE FAST LANE
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| Uchechukwu Sampson Ogar |
By Godwin Adindu
You know the fast lane; the extreme corner of the road where
drivers throw caution to the wind and challenge the speedometer
of their automobiles. The fast lane, beyond the expressway, is
also a metaphor of action and behavior. It has transformed into a
social construct, with meanings that signify a man and a woman
in a hurry and in desperation. Uche Ogah, the President of the
Masters Energy Group and the protagonist in the failed Abia
civilian coup, has suddenly thrown himself into the fast lane. I
doubt if he will come out without regrets.
The fast lane, precisely, is a stereotype that conjures negative
imageries. Therefore, it is hardly a compliment for one to be
described to be on the fast lane. An unassuming gentleman,
Ogah was never known for the fast lane. Save for some criminal
charges bordering on fraud and forgery in Lagos Law Courts
which have dented an immaculate reputation of the soft-spoken
gentleman of the oil wealth fame, Ogah has never been identified
or associated with the fast lane of life. Until two weeks ago, his
reputation spoke of a man who carried himself with so much
respectability.
For instance, after he lost out in the December 2014 PDP Primary
Election, he walked away gently and later made a donation of N5
million to the Okezuo Abia Campaign team. He enjoys a soaring
reputation in Abia as a philanthropist. And in his Uturu community,
he transformed an otherwise rural clan into a modern estate with
boulevards and landscaping. On one or two occasions when I
met Ogah, I felt in love with his calm demeanour and humility and
saw a future leader in him. Given the compatibility of his
humanely nature and his wealth, I was convinced he will be able
to display the rare attribute of combining remorse with power- the
hallmark of leadership.
But, all these propositions shattered last two weeks when Ogah
suddenly jumped unto the fast lane. Why has he suddenly
developed a maddening desperation to become governor ? Why
has he chosen the path of infamy in his pursuit of power? It is
very unfortunate to imagine the harm that has been inflicted on
Ogah by those who led him on this dangerous part. Those who
urged him on this mission have deliberately ruined a very
promising political career and damaged a very great reputation
that was ahead of the kind gentleman.
There is what the Igbos call aruruala. I do not know how to
translate it in English and capture the disguised treachery in a
seeming goodness. This is the harm that has been inflicted on
Ogah by those who led him on this desperate ambition. It will
take only a few insightful people to understand and appreciate my
drift. Only a precious few with a discerning spirit will look beyond
the veil to see the enormity of the harm inflicted on Ogah. In few
months to come, when the spell of inordinate ambition would
have cleared, Ogah would look back to understand he had been
deceived and sabotaged by the people who seemed to mean
good to him. In a deep moment of introspection when the wool
had left his eyes and the aphrodisiac evaporates, he will be able
to see clearly the harm that has been done to his future political
prospects.
Why do I argue thus? I say so because among the top political
gladiators in Abia North today none can match Ogah in terms of
goodwill across the state. None can match his general
acceptability across board. None can match his wealth, both in
cash and in emotional investment. He has not stepped on toes
and has no liabilities of political traducers. He is coming to the
stage clean and unbridled. And, above all, he has age going for
him and belongs to the new dispensation. Thus, by the appointed
time when power returns to Abia North, Uche Ogah would have,
indisputably, been the best and most popular choice.
Ogah would have had friends and followers across the length and
breadth of the state. But, today, he has hurt a large segment of
the state, a strong homogeneous bloc, the Ukwa Ngwas who are
having their first shot in power since the creation of earth. He has
also disappointed many good men of conscience from the other
parts of the state who believe in equity and social justice. By
attempting to distort the Abia Charter of Equity upon which
framework, the PDP zone the governorship slot to Abia South,
Ogah has also transgressed against the party. And because
justice is of God, he has also transgressed against God and
contravened the cosmic laws of cause and effect. He has broken
a very formidable reputation and a broken skull heels faster than
a broken reputation.
Indeed, this is the tragedy of the fast lane. It is an underground
lifestyle that keep you perpetually in anxiety and under the prying
eyes of the law and make you an unwanted friend to the men of
the Intelligence Bureau. Those who succeed flaunt their wealth
publicly to the envy and admiration of us all. The unlucky ones
remain slammed behind bars and languish for years in jail. They
live the later part of their lives in pain and regret. The fast lane,
therefore, is not the best of options.
Indeed, it is painful to contemplate the enormity of the aruruala
meted out to the fine gentleman. He did not thick twice and
prayerfully. He did not weigh the options against his future
prospects and realize that all he needed was patience. He was
so much driven that his ambition became worthier than the blood
of Abians that would have been shed on that fateful Thursdays
and in the following days. Any action of man that is capable of
distorting the order of peace can never be ordained.
Today, I feel for Ogah. I am touched that he is a victim of
aruruala. I think about how a great reputation can easily be
destroyed.
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