CROSSING THE RUBICON FOR POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM AND POLITICAL SELF-SERVING: A CASE STUDY OF HON. DR. ABIAZIEM CHIMA, EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF OGUTA LGA
OFFSIDE:
Do Not Drag Agwa Into Media Frivolities; High Chief Chibunna Ubawuike Is Not Your Equal in Political Standing
E-ISSN:2354-4481
By John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi
“The greatest betrayal in democracy occurs when leaders elected to speak for the people become praise singers of power, choosing personal relevance over public responsibility.”
I woke up today to read a lengthy and, in my view, unfortunate article titled “Agwa Must Rise Above Petty Politics: Facts, Not Propaganda, Will Always Defend Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma,” authored by Hon. Dr. Abiaziem Chima, the Executive Vice-Chairman of Oguta Local Government Area and an indigene of Mgbala, Agwa.
The article was directed against High Chief Chibunna Ubawuike, a widely known APC stakeholder, following his recent appearance on TVC, where he commented on governance and political developments in Nigeria.
During that television interview, High Chief Ubawuike responded to questions regarding the performance of APC governors in the Southeast and their role in complementing the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In his remarks, he acknowledged that some governors were making efforts but argued that more could be done to effectively showcase and align with the achievements of the President in the region.
To substantiate his position, Ubawuike, an indigene of Obudi in Agwa Clan and Chairman of the All Registered APC North-South Progressives (ARANS-P), as well as Convener of Concerned Ndigbo Lagos, referenced what he described as the longstanding neglect of Agwa people and communities. At no point in his presentation did he directly attack any Southeast governor or specifically mention Hope Uzodimma.
The question therefore arises: when did it become an offence for a citizen to express legitimate concerns about the welfare and development of his people, particularly when such concerns are rooted in observable realities?
It is important to note that Hon. Dr. Abiaziem Chima is neither the spokesperson of the Imo State Government nor the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. He does not occupy any of the official communication offices charged with defending government policies or responding to public criticism. One is therefore compelled to ask why he considered it necessary to launch such a vigorous public attack on a fellow son of Agwa for expressing concerns about the condition of his people.
More troubling is the fact that an Agwa son who benefited immensely from the votes of Oguta wrote 1,017 words to defend government actions while seemingly overlooking the developmental challenges confronting his own constituency.
Agwa remains one of the most politically significant clans in Oguta LGA. It comprises three INEC electoral wards, ten densely populated communities, six autonomous communities, and serves as an important oil-producing and host community, including the presence of Ada Palm. It is also regarded as one of the most populous clans in Imo State and contributed substantially to the electoral success of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the 2023 governorship election.
Given these realities, one would expect the Executive Vice-Chairman of Oguta LGA to prioritize advocating for the developmental needs of his people and advising government accordingly, rather than engaging in media confrontations against those raising legitimate concerns.
As the saying goes:
“A representative ceases to be the voice of the people the moment he values proximity to power more than accountability to those who elected him.”
It must equally be stated that High Chief Chibunna Ubawuike is not an obscure political actor. He is a respected son of Agwa, a grassroots mobilizer, philanthropist, businessman, traditional leader, and political stakeholder with a verifiable record of electoral relevance and community engagement.
Throughout his political journey, he has consistently maintained a strong grassroots presence and has remained actively involved in matters affecting Agwa and Oguta. He is not known for hostility toward the Governor or the government of Imo State. Rather, his interventions have largely focused on issues of community welfare, development, and political inclusion.
The developmental realities facing Agwa are visible to all. For decades, communities within the clan have struggled with a lack of electricity infrastructure. Access to quality healthcare remains a major challenge, with the absence of a standard general hospital serving a population of such size and importance.
Similarly, critical road networks linking Agwa communities to neighbouring local government areas remain largely untarred and underdeveloped. Roads such as Obudi–Ogbaku Agwa Road, Obeama–Amakohia Agwa Road, Umuomi–Mgbolo Agwa Road, Umukpo Obosima–Amafor Road, Obudi–Egbema Road, Umuekpu–Okwu–Ogbaku Agwa Road, Ubah–Izombe Road, Umuofeke–Mgbala Road, and Mgbala–Egbema Road continue to pose significant transportation challenges.
These roads serve as strategic economic and social corridors connecting Agwa with Ohaji-Egbema, Mbaitoli, and Owerri West Local Government Areas. Yet many remain in deplorable condition.
Against this backdrop, many observers believe that public office holders from the area should devote greater attention to attracting development and addressing these concerns rather than engaging in media battles against citizens exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Indeed:
“The people elect representatives to speak truth to power, not to become echo chambers of power.”
And again:
“When an elected leader fears losing favour with those in authority more than losing the trust of the people, representation has given way to servitude.”
On the issue of the Agwa–Ejemekwuru Road, Hon. Dr. Abiaziem Chima asserted in his article that the project had been awarded by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
While the announcement of any road project is welcome, it is necessary to acknowledge the strategic significance of this particular route. The Agwa–Ejemekwuru Road is a major economic artery connecting communities within Oguta South, Egbema, and neighbouring parts of Rivers State, particularly Omoku.
For many residents, especially farmers, it remains one of the most important access routes to Owerri and other commercial centres. Unfortunately, years of deterioration have contributed to insecurity, including incidents of kidnapping and other criminal activities that have adversely affected residents and economic activities.
Given that the road has reportedly been under discussion for several years, many residents understandably desire visible construction work and tangible progress rather than repeated assurances.
Regarding allegations of vandalism involving public infrastructure within Agwa communities, it is important to emphasize that the primary responsibility of every government remains the protection of lives and property and the provision of public goods.
Public infrastructure belongs to the people and should be safeguarded by both government and communities. However, concerns about isolated incidents of vandalism should not overshadow the broader developmental challenges confronting the area, particularly in education, healthcare, road infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
The central question remains: if Agwa contributes significantly to the economic and political fortunes of Imo State, should it not also benefit proportionately from government attention and developmental initiatives?
One of the most controversial aspects of Hon. Dr. Abiaziem Chima’s article was his suggestion that community leadership bears responsibility for the state of certain public facilities.
Such assertions appear to overlook the numerous efforts undertaken over the years by the Agwa community leadership and organizations such as the Agwa Central Union (ACU), under leaders including Barr. Benson Akunya and later Mr. Nduka Ozor, to maintain peace, preserve communal assets, and promote development despite limited government support.
Equally noteworthy was the inaugural Agwa Summit, where distinguished sons of the clan, including High Chief Chibunna Ubawuike, CSP Cajetan Onwusor (Rtd.), Mr. Cajetan Onuegbu of the DSS, and veteran journalist Mr. Marcel Alozie, contributed ideas and policy recommendations aimed at advancing the development of Agwa.
It is therefore unfair to portray the people or leadership of Agwa as indifferent to community development.
For the avoidance of doubt, Agwa people are not in conflict with Governor Hope Uzodimma or the Government of Imo State.
Likewise, Ubawuike, a respected supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a prominent APC leader in Agwa, Oguta LGA, and Obudi/Aro Ward, did not present himself as an enemy of the government.
Rather, his comments reflected concerns shared by many citizens regarding development, inclusion, and equitable distribution of public resources.
The greater concern is whether elected representatives are faithfully discharging their responsibility to advocate for their constituents or becoming overly preoccupied with defending those in power.
High Chief Chibunna Ubawuike's credentials and contributions to party development and national politics are well documented. They include:
Founding member of the APC.
Recognized political leader in Obudi/Aro Ward and Oguta LGA.
National stakeholder within the APC family.
Member of the Tinubu/Shettima Independent Presidential Campaign Council (ICC) during the 2023 Presidential Election.
National Chairman, All Registered APC North-South Progressives (ARANS-P).
Deputy National Chairman (South), APC Support Group Leaders Forum (ASGLF).
Convener, Concerned Ndigbo Lagos.
Member, Tinubu Support Group (TSG).
National Organising Secretary, South-East Igbo APC Progressives Roundtable (SIAPRO).
National Organising Secretary, All Registered APC Support Groups for Tinubu/Shettima.
Member, APC Progressive Hub Think Tank.
Member of several APC ad-hoc committees.
Businessman, philanthropist, traditional prime minister, and community leader.
In conclusion, history has consistently demonstrated that public esteem is earned not merely by defending those in authority, but by courageously standing for the welfare and aspirations of the people.
As has often been said:
“History rarely remembers those who defended power for personal relevance; it remembers those who defended the people despite the consequences.”
It is a principle that remains relevant in evaluating leadership, representation, and public service in every democratic society.
By John Mbonu Uchenwoke-Ekperechi
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Inside Agwa News (IAN)
Columnist, Shadow of the Flag
B.A. History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
M.A. (In View), Peace and Reconciliation Management, Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Writes from Owerri, Imo State.
