By Chinedu Opara
Politics, they say is a game. A game like sporting games which is supposed be played like all other games. Sports and all its component games, prior to becoming economic activities, were originally entertainment oriented. And as such were played with friendly, sportsmanship spirit, without bitterness. Till today that spirit still remains at the core of sports, not minding that they have become money spinners.This is why after every contest the winner and the loser still embrace themselves and still shake hands.
As an activity modelled after sports, politics is supposed to be played this way, with friendly, sportsmanship spirit. Not hatred, bitterness,do or die mentality that characterize it in Nigeria, today.
During the first republic in 1979, politics was played to some extent this way. Some politicians and parties observed the lofty ideology of political sportsmanship,or better still, “politics without bitterness” Those gladiators advocated,practiced and even adopted the idea as their guiding philosophy. Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of Great Nigeria People’s Party,GNPP., proclaimed it his party’s ideology.
This great philosophy which makes politics attractive, interesting and inviting has almost disappeared in our polity today. In its place what is being played now is do or die politics, a zero sum game in which all that matters is getting power. Whether you killed,maimed or used any other devious means to get power doesn’t matter under this dangerous climate. All that matters is grabbing power, and welding it.
It’s exactly for this reason that our political terrain is now compared to a jungle where only the fittest survive. As such before you join the murkey political waters today, you must have prepared yourself to play it with muscle, instead of brain if you desire to achieve anything. The good news, however, is that amid this nauseating political culture, we still have some “old school” politicians who embody the spirit of politics without bitterness around.
These men and women who are few in number, learnt and imbibed this ideology during the first republic politics.Decades after they are still clinging to it, despite being actively involved in the headwind called politics of today. Undoubtedly, for this steadfastness, fidelity and resolute sticking to what they believe in and hold dear, these individuals deserve to be lauded and celebrated. Which is why I’m using this essay to celebrate Chief Sir Val Okere, Amadioha Ngor Okpala, who is a confirmed student of this school.
Chief Valentine Okere. Amadioha Ngor Okpala as he’s popularly called and known,has lately being in the news for good reasons. He was appointed a member of the board of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ISOPADC, by Gov Hope Uzodinma.
In nearly all ramifications this Nnorie, Ngor Okpala born, political icon epitomizes the philosophy of playing politics without bitterness. Before going further let me point out that this philosophy is more than just a mere slogan, it is a political culture,way of life and behavior, that transcends just seeing and playing politics as a game of sport. Of course , this is how real adherents of the ideology like Amadioha observe it. He mouths it, practices it and lives it.
One of such attributes of politics without bitterness that is synonymous with Amadioha Ngor Okpala, is the combining of serious politics with dramatic humour. As a matter of fact this trait is what has majorly defined Chief Okere’s political life. It is this unique genre of politicking, that made him one of household names in Ngor Okpala political terrain. Go and ask retired politicians in the LGA about him, they will tell they know him. The same with pioneers of this 4th repubic and those who joined them later. In fact, even those who joined politics yesterday know him, and all this popularity owes to just one thing: his distinctive political style.
Beyond removing tension from politics, he also plays politics of selflessness and non entitlement mentality. In other words playing politics for the fun of it and the good of society, and not for what he will gain himself. Since 1979 this man has been actively involved in politics, to the extent that,in some quarters today, he’s fondly called ” from generation to generation,” a light-hearted reference to his long stay in the game. However, not minding that he has over paid his dues, and has the legitimate right to clamour for settlement, Amadioha never for once did that. Every electoral cycle he comes out works with his heart, body and soul. And once results are announced and winners declared, he will back to his house, and turn his attention to other things. You’ll never see him openly or subtly campaign for appointment or any other type of compensation.
To crown it all this ageless,inter generational political icon has remained a perfect symbol of politics without politics in his social and political affinities. As someone who has known him closely for nearly two decades now, i can’t remember hearing or seeing any politician of Ngor Okpala extraction, label him an enemy.
Chief Okere was, and still is, a living and perfect exemplification of the proverb ” water has no enemy.” He’s one man I can beat my chest, and say that, he has little or no enemies. Just the same way i will say that the allowance of “little”i made above, is in recognition of the fact that no matter how good you are, you will still have “secret enemies.”
It’s because of Amadioha’s near flawless political trajectory, that Ngor Okpala erupted in jubilation and celebration, following his recent appointment by Gov Hope Uzodinma. Nde Ngor Okpala were happy that after toiling and making kings for several decades, he was remembered, at last.
That event came with a lot of lessons but, the most remarkable among them, is that it validated once again the undying truism that destiny can only be delayed, but not denied. It’s therefore in perfect order to thank Gov Hope Uzodinma, for making himself available to be used by God to do that, and, also for showing that playing politics without bitterness is still a good virtue. And to the “from generation to generation” of Ngor Okpala politics, may you succeed in your new task.
