The Charles Ahize I Know

BY: JENNIFER MGBEE…

I am not your regular politician, no thanks to the realities of political engagement in Nigeria. However, I must categorically say that the candidacy of Chief Charles Ahize, the Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Orlu Zone excites me for several reasons.

For one, I am beginning to nurse hope of a better Nigeria again with politicians like Ahize. I am a core professional who resides in Lagos. I used to know Charles Ahize in Lagos with his pan-Igbo interest group, Obigbo. The group was so loud and clear in things relating to the Igbo race. One thing stood them out in their fight. They hated injustice and discrimination. Thus, they fought against any group or persons who treated the Igbo with disdain.

Ahize’s Obigbo group also had a pronounced presence in the media, campaigning for the Igbo interest. They were single-minded in the quest to restore what they termed the dignity of the Igbo man.

The group, notably, were no ethnic champions because they also took the federal government under Olusegun Obasanjo to task on policies that exerted adverse effects on the poor. I was fascinated that Charles Ahize and his Obigbo group frontally fought for the oppressed.

Under Governor Bola Tinubu, the group also maintained a pronounced presence in rallying solidarity for Igbo business men and interests. They asserted themselves with dignity and gave the Igbos a voice. I was not surprised that soon afterwards, Tinubu began to appoint Igbo sons into his cabinet. Interestingly, I was waiting for the group’s leader, Charles Ahize, to join politics because of his significant exploits in Obigbo.

I was shocked he was not thinking in that direction. Change, they say, is one factor that has remained constant. I am therefore beside myself with excitement as the gentleman from Ihioma-Orlu has agreed to offer himself to represent his people at the Senate. This is a wonderful development in the trajectory of Orlu politics.

The Charles Ahize I know is a core activist who detests injustice. He does not relent in speaking up when he perceives one. He also does not spare anyone when it comes to ending the spate of injustice.

His years of activism have given him the raw courage and grit to speak truth to power even when it feels unpalatable. The country is full of injustice – injustice against the Igbo race, injustice against Igbo business interests and even injustice against a large-sized senatorial district like Orlu (Imo West).

Essentially, Charles Ahize is going to the Senate to be the voice Orlu and the Igbo race have not had for a long time. Ahize is not one who is easily intimidated hence he will tower over daunting forces to make his voice heard.

He is vocal and active when it comes to speaking the truth in nation that abhors truth for political expediency.Also, the Charles Ahize I know is a lover of humanity. While in Lagos, Ahize was famous for his outreach to the poor and needy. He did not like to see people suffer penury. I know he may have articulated a stratagem of bringing prosperity to his people.

I have seen his posters and I am confident and upbeat that if Ahize says he will recover Orlu, he can stake his life to do so. I have already told my family and people in Mgbee, it is destination Labour Party for all of us. For, if we had tried PDP and APC in the past, is it not only rational that we give the Labour Party a chance.

Interestingly, the Igbo have our own, Mr Petr Obi, at the very epicenter of the party, as its presidential candidate. Beyond this work and what it stands for, I enjoin all Imolites and fellow Igbo to swing attention to LP.

Indeed, Labour Party may be the messianic party that will solve the Igbo question of 1960 to date.