BY MARTINS CHINONSO NWEDE
Senator Obinna Ogba.
For Senator Obinna Joseph Ogba, his case is quite different. His style of politicking has stand him out among other players. His concern is to reinvigorate his party, reposition it and make it formidable before thinking of contesting or not. A car owner cannot just enter his car to embark on a long journey without fueling it, coupled with other necessary things that need to be functional in the vehicle. This is exact picture of what Senator Obinna Joseph Ogba is doing. Overtime, Sen Obinna Ogba has shown that he is deeply concerned about PDP and doing everything within his limit to position the party ahead of 2023.
When Rosseau maintained that "the wisest should govern the many when it is assured that they will govern for the masses profit and not for their own" he must be referring to people like Distinguished Senator Obinna Ogba (Onwa Igboessa) has shown what leadership entails.
The true partymanship of Senator Obinna Joseph Ogba was once again exemplified on 17th December; 2021. This time around, he took people unaware and surprised his party men. While PDP was hosting its first State Executive Council meeting (SEC) under the new arrowhead of PDP Chief Toochukwu Okorie @ Salt Lake Hotel, Abakaliki on 17th December; 2021 different cars branded with PDP logo and his appellation embossed on it thronged into the premises of the meeting to the amazement of the SEC members, party faithfuls and those who came to cool their head in the Hotel.
People were perplexed and somewhat astounded sighting these numberous cars thronging one by one into the venue of the meeting.
During the momentous meeting which Senator Obinna Joseph Ogba happens to be a member by virtue of being the former State Party Chairman, in his usual swag, he mounted on the podium and acknowledged the SEC members and others critical stakeholders for their commitment, dedication and contribution in building PDP in the State. Speaking further, the peoples leader, Most Distinguished Senator Obinna Joseph Ogba announced the donation of 17cars to the party leadership. While 13 branded Sienna's were to the 13 LGAs Party Chairmen, a Hilux with Lexus 350 were given to the State Party Chairman Chief Toochukwu Okorie, while a hiace Toyota Bus was given to the State Working Committee (SWC) and another car for the Vice Chairman of the party in the State making it a total of 17cars to enhance their operation.
The popular Salt Lake Hotel was filled to its brim on the cheering news. The fanfare that greeted this rare gesture was sparkling and unprecedented.
Party leaders like Amb Frank Ogbuewu, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, Chief Irem Ibom among others took turn to pour encomium on Sen Joseph Ogba for breaking a jinx in the history of Ebonyi State politics. And described him as a true party man who has overtime proven himself a leader with track records. In the history of Ebonyi State, Sen Obinna Ogba is the first to break this record.
However, Naysayers has been trying to dwarf this rare gesture done by Sen Obinna Ogba to his party men. They call it worn out cars, start and push among others names just to discredit the feat. Some said he is doing this because of his 2023 ambition but unfortunately, Sen Obinna Ogba is yet to break silence on what he would contest in 2023. This unnecessary criticism is laced with sentiment as a result of party difference cum hatred. No doubt, the gesture came as a surprise to the opposition elements, hence spurred them into vendetta against Sen Ogba. It is peculiar to us that every action (s) of politicans are criticized in our clime. Some criticize without being factual and Objective just to get attention and gather comments. For other venoms critics of Ogba, they lampooned Sen Ogba, saying that he left his immediate constituents amidst their yearnings to gift cars to his party men. For people under this category, they fails to understand that PDP has favoured Sen Obinna Ogba with enviable positions and Sen Obinna Ogba deserves to reciprocate the gesture and privilege. Even before now, Sen Obinna Ogba has been doing well for his people but those yet to be a direct beneficiary of his gesture now tongue lash him. This car gift should not be purging some person's because is part of Sen Obinna Ogba's contribution in sustaining PDP in the State. It will be ingratitude on the side of Ogba to watch the State Chairman of PDP, SWC, and the 13 LGAs Party Chairmen to be struggling in commercial vehicles to attend functions and carry out their responsibility when he has the financial wherewithal do so. PDP is not associated with excruciating pains and penury like the sinking APC. Ogba has been making personal sacrifice (s) since Umahi left PDP to APC and confiscated all the properties of the party including Party cars, Secretariat and other properties. At first, he gave the party a temporal office at his Hotel. Party meeting (s) are likewise held in his hotel on probono and now, to further shame those who think that by stealing the mandate of PDP to APC will decapitate the famous party, he personally procured cars for all the 13 LGAs Party Chairmen, State Chairman and Vice respectively to enhance their operation.
Irrespective of our party logo, beliefs and those we are loyal to, we must always try to distinguish chaff from the green. Applaud and backlash when necessary. Sen Obinna Ogba is not a saint but has demonstrated that he is a dedicated true party man whose love for his party is topnotch. His contribution in building PDP in the State should be commended by all and sundry. 2023 or no 2023, whatsoever God destined Sen Obinna Ogba to be, hatred, tribe, sentiment, wanton criticism and collusion will not stop it.
