Like America’s George Washington, Sen. Orji Is Abia’s Symbol of Unity
One thing that thrilled me while watching the epic inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United State of America (USA) was the absence of malignity and/or inveterate hatred while the occasion (which has provided model for other democratic countries especially the developing countries to follow) lasted.
Interestingly, the CNN panel of analysts who gave insight into the epoch making event, rather than heap praises on the out-going President, Mr. Barak Obama however attributed the peaceful and smooth transition of power which has been the substratum of America’s democracy to the foresightedness of the US progenitor, Mr. George Washington who was the first US president and whose philosophy America’s democratic precepts were predicated upon 221 years after.
For those who are not familiar with US political history, it is interesting therefore to note that the dawn of US democracy did not come in 1776, with the Declaration of Independence neither was it in 1788, when the US constitution was ratified nor in 1789 when George Washington was sworn-in as the first America’s President, rather it was when America’s noble ideals were actually put to test.
In other words, the philosophy of George Washington as captured in his farewell address was what gave birth to the US symbolic system of government, cementing their status as a stable, democratic state and resulting to the peaceful transfer of power that the world witnesses every four years.
Being the first America’s President with no precedent for how he should conduct domestic or foreign business, Washington realized that the way he handled the job would impact how future presidents approached the position, he then handed down a legacy of strength, integrity and national purpose. Then the United States was a small nation consisting of 11 states and approximately 4 million people, so being mindful that his actions would likely determine how future presidents were expected to govern, Washington worked hard to set an example of fairness, prudence and integrity.
This America’s political history is somewhat similar to that of Abia State (God’s Own State), where the Abia Charter of Equity (ACE), which contains the power sharing arrangement initiated by our founding fathers was bravely upheld by Sen. Orji popularly referred to as Ochendo to ensure a peaceful and smooth rotation of power within the three senatorial zones.
Just like Washington, Ochendo being aware that his action will determine the future of Abia State, however set precedent for political conduct that give birth to a Modern Abia by ensuring that equity prevailed against personal interest. Just as Abia State was made possible for us by our founding fathers, Ochendo saw it is an obligation incumbent upon him to make it possible for Abia future generation.
Just take a deep breath for a moment to reflect on the carnage in Kaduna State that has taken thousands of lives since the era of Rt. Major General Zamani Lekwot between the mainly Hausa and mainly Christian Kataf communities of the Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area. Upon all the efforts of Nigerian leaders to end the crisis, recently over 800 people were killed in another bout of crisis between the Fulanis and the natives of Southern Kaduna. If the previous Kaduna State governors especially the early one saw the wisdom in finding and putting in place a charter who knows, probably, the wanton waste of lives we have witnessed so far would have been avoided. Apart from Kaduna State, Plateau State was also engulfed in political crisis that escalated to tribal war which led to loss of thousands of lives until recently.
Who knows what would have become of Abia State in the future if Sen. Orji did not take the brave step to ensuring that the Abia Charter of Equity which was put in place to assuage the fear of domination by any section was recognized, respected and activated? Thank God for Sen. T.A Orji, his actions while governor gave birth to Modern Abia. The precedent which he set indubitably made him the Father of Modern Abia.
To justify why Sen. Orji is called the Father of Modern Abia, it is therefore pertinent to compare some of his actions with that of the Father of America, George Washington whose antecedents I am using as case study in this article. As the first President of United State of America, Washington formulated US foreign policies. For instance in foreign matters, he supported cordial relations with other countries but also favored a position of neutrality in foreign conflicts.
Same can be said of our own dear Ochendo. By the time Sen. Orji became Governor of Abia State in 2007, the relationship between Abia State government and Federal government was in a mess. This faceoff led to the revocation of our oil wells and same allotted to Rivers State. The result was the incapacitation of Abia economy. The disunity among Abia elders also worsened the situation as consensus could not be achieved among them to fight the course. Sen. Orji did not only reconcile the Abia elders but also established a harmonious relationship with the FG which without doubt led to the return of our oil wells ceded to Rivers State.
Domestically also, Washington nominated the first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Jay (1745-1829), signed a bill establishing the first national bank and set up his own presidential cabinet. His two most prominent cabinet appointees were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), two men who disagreed strongly on the role of the federal government. Hamilton favored a strong central government, while Jefferson favored stronger states’ rights. Washington however believed that divergent views were critical for the health of the new government, but he was distressed at what he saw as an emerging partisanship.
It is on record that during Washington’s presidency, the buildup of partisan politics that would characterize USA government was beginning. Political parties were established, especially during Washington second administration. So he witnessed the squabbling between the two parties, between Hamilton and Jefferson.
Sen. Orji having liberated Abia from the crutches of godfatherism formed a unity government which saw the entrance and full participation of the opposition members in his government. Just like Washington, Sen. Orji witnessed firsthand the unprecedented squabble ever seen in Abia State with the formulation and defection to other parties his party members who want to undermine our peaceful coexistence and highjack power damming the consequences of their action to the future of Abia State.
There were in Abia State excessive political party spirit and geographical distinctions to the extent that there were alliances with external forces to destabilize Abia politics and unity. But just as Washington advised Americans in his 32-page handwritten address, Sen. Orji ensured that the precepts of Abia Charter of Equity prevail over selfishness and subversiveness.
Just like Washington, Sen. Orji erected structures all over Abia State known and referred to as LEGACY PROJECTS. Schools, hospitals and markets were built to cater for the immediate needs of Abians. Youths who were neglected by previous administration and were dehumanized with wheel-barrow, shovel, head pan, digger and okada empowerments were drafted into government. Cars, buses and money were given to those interested in entrepreneurship. The result was the egalitarianism which led to financial freedom of over 50, 000 Abia youths.
As a senator he has sponsored eight bills (which I will be analyzing this week), empowered artisans and farmers. 240 physically challenged and indigent undergraduates have been given N24 million scholarship grants and even the elderly were not left behind.
What else is there to say than despite the incitements and campaign of calumny against him by his detractors, Sen. Orji is loved by his people and just like George Washington is being celebrated 221 years after, Sen. Orji will be remembered and celebrated by Abians till eternity? Are you still in doubt why he is called “THE FATHER OF MODERN ABIA?” Not after reading this.
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