By Ebuka Onyekwelu
In Anambra state the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, can’t get enough of the political symbolism of its late founder and Biafran war hero Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. APGA, the party which has held sway and won successive governorship elections since 2003, has used pictures or videos proudly displaying images of the party’s supreme leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu for years and for good measure. But that’s growing reason to believe that APGA is ready to move on without the enduring image of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
At recent political events in Anambra, Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s flare is gradually disappearing as the basic symbol of APGA. To the extent that in recent APGA political events Ojukwu’s name was not even mentioned at all, much less honoured, which gives a hint that the party might have moved on or planning to. Yet, his image and posture were exploited in the just concluded governorship election only in November of 2021.
Days to his exit from office, Governor Obiano recognized and honoured several outstanding Anambra men and women who have distinguished themselves in public and private service within and outside the state. Some were given posthumous awards, but others were at the International Convention Centre to receive their awards. But there was no award for the supreme leader of APGA, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and he was not mentioned throughout the event. Is there any particular reason that justifies the former governor recognizing outstanding sons and daughters of Anambra State, but skipped the persona around which his political root holds firm?
It is imprecise if such was an honest error. Perhaps, it is convenient for him to be forgotten because the event was not an election. It must however be observed that every action that has political consequence is normally not considered an error. But it is left to be seen what exactly such action intends to bequeath to the memory of the man whose name and image has come to be entangled with the Igbo political struggles upon which APGA stands. Yet, the man was so continently and comfortably excused from such an important State event. This is more significant because Obiano is the national leader of APGA.
Then about a week later, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu could also not be mentioned during the inauguration of the 6th governor of Anambra State in the person of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. The historic event which took place at the Anambra State Government House, Awka was largely shaded by the near exchange of blows involving Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of APGA’s Supreme leader, who by the way, was not even given any form of recognition at the event. The inauguration which moved smoothly as planned until the distraction which then stole the show, climaxed with the speech delivered by Governor Soludo; a thoroughly reassuring speech. But again, not a single mention of Dim Emeka Ojukwu, whose name and picture were used for his campaign only a few months ago.
To be clear, Prof. Soludo mentioned the Great Zik in his speech at least twice. He mentioned Dr. M.I Okpara and carefully gave due recognition to other deserving characters in the political journey of the old and new Anambra State. But failed to mention Dim Emeka Ojukwu. This is deliberate, as such could hardly be an error. For someone as detailed as Prof. Soludo, and for such an important speech that took time to be developed, it is correct to say that he carefully chose what he wants to be in the speech and also removed, but if we like, ‘forgot’ what he does not want to feature in the speech. APGA like we know, was not formed by Dim Emeka Ojukwu, even though his persona was deployed to a telling point in building the narrative of the party.
Till tomorrow, some people are not convinced that the civil war was justified and they blame it on Dim Emeka Ojukwu, who himself accepted later that the war was “unnecessary”. Prof. Soludo’s personal impression of Dim Emeka Ojukwu is unclear. What is clear is his stand on methods of advancing the Biafra cause. Prof. Soludo is a nationalist and will not subscribe to disintegration. Yet, while he recognized APGA as the first progressive party since 1999, Ojukwu whose name and struggles were the building blocks of APGA, failed to get a mention.
This might be symbolic as “party Ojukwu” like many elderly voters always say, maybe undergoing a silent ideological surgical procedure in which there might be the possibility for APGA to move on without the memories of Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. If indeed so, how it turns out can only be judged by time.
