CAJETAN DUKE
I am not particularly inclined to joining issues with individuals over their personal opinions, as everyone is entitled to their views. However, when such opinions are deliberately crafted to manipulate public perception, misinterpret realities, or misrepresent established facts, it becomes necessary for discerning minds to respond appropriately. Silence in the face of distortion often gives falsehood an undeserved advantage; therefore, setting the record straight is not merely a matter of debate but a responsibility owed to truth, fairness, and the integrity of public discourse.
History teaches us that the true test of equity is not in acknowledging injustice but in supporting practical efforts to correct it. For decades, Ngor Okpala has remained the only political bloc in Owerri Zone without producing a Senator, Deputy Governor or Minister. This is not a matter of opinion but a verifiable political reality.
It is therefore, surprising that while my friend Chuks Nwokeji acknowledges this historical exclusion, he laboured albeit unfruitfully to dismisses the significance of Dr. Chima Amadi’s emergence as the only Ngor Okpala candidate currently on the ballot for the forthcoming Imo East Senatorial election. In doing so, he inadvertently misses the central argument: that Amadi’s candidacy represents a rare opportunity for a politically marginalized people to secure a sense of belonging within the leadership structure of Owerri Zone.
The phrase, “Chima Amadi as the only consolation for Ndi Ngor Okpala,” as used by my brother Obioma Onwuegbucha in his recent article has been either misunderstood or deliberately misconstrued. At no point did the original argument suggest that the Imo East Senate seat belongs exclusively to Ngor Okpala or that Dr. Amadi, if elected, would represent only his local government area. Rather, the statement simply recognizes the political reality that after decades of exclusion from the highest levels of representation in Owerri Zone, Ngor Okpala finally has a credible opportunity to produce a senator through one of its most accomplished sons.
Mr. Nwokeji’s principal error lies in confusing political hope with political entitlement. To describe Dr. Amadi as the only consolation for Ndi Ngor Okpala is not to claim ownership of the Senate seat; it is to acknowledge that he currently represents the only realistic pathway through which the people of Ngor Okpala can seek redress for a longstanding political imbalance. Following the conclusion of party primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, Dr. Chima Amadi of the Action Peoples Party (APP) stands as the only Ngor Okpala candidate on the ballot for Imo East Senatorial District. That is not a political slogan; it is a verifiable fact.
Ironically, the article by Nwokeji spends considerable energy arguing against a position that was never advanced. Nobody suggested that other LGAs in Owerri Zone should be denied representation, development, or political relevance. Nobody argued that Dr. Amadi’s loyalty would be restricted to Ngor Okpala if elected. Every senator, by constitutional mandate and democratic responsibility, represents the entire senatorial district. The argument was simply that for a people who have remained politically excluded for decades, his candidacy provides a unique source of hope. To label such a sentiment as “selfishness disguised as justice” is to fundamentally misread the context.
The article also creates a false conflict between equity and support for a candidate from a historically disadvantaged bloc. Across Nigeria, communities naturally rally behind candidates who embody their aspirations and expectations without implying that such candidates will govern exclusively for them. When candidates emerge from Owerri, Mbaise, or Mbaike, their communities are expected to support them. Such support is never interpreted as sectionalism. It is therefore difficult to understand why Ngor Okpala should be denied the same privilege of political solidarity when it seeks to overcome decades of exclusion.
Furthermore, Mr. Nwokeji’s assertion that Dr. Amadi must first prove his commitment to the entire zone before Ngor Okpala can embrace his candidacy ignores the public record. Long before politics entered the equation, Dr. Amadi distinguished himself through philanthropy, educational support and empowerment initiatives that extended far beyond the boundaries of Ngor Okpala. His contributions have touched communities across Owerri Zone and beyond. To portray his candidacy as a narrow ethnic or local project is therefore inconsistent with the evidence available to the public.
More importantly, political justice cannot remain a theoretical concept. It must find practical expression. It is not enough to repeatedly acknowledge that Ngor Okpala has been unfairly excluded from key political offices while simultaneously dismissing every opportunity to address that exclusion. Mr. Nwokeji concedes that Ngor Okpala deserves justice, yet appears uncomfortable with the emergence of a candidate capable of advancing that cause. Such a position risks turning equity into a rhetorical exercise rather than a meaningful political principle.
The phrase “only consolation” must also be understood within its proper context. It does not imply monopoly, superiority, or entitlement. It merely reflects the reality of the current political landscape. Since Dr. Amadi is the only Ngor Okpala candidate seeking election to the Senate in 2027, he naturally becomes the singular symbol of hope for those who desire an end to the historical marginalization of their people. If there were multiple Ngor Okpala candidates on the ballot, the situation would be different. However, political analysis must be grounded in existing realities rather than hypothetical scenarios.
Ultimately, the conversation should not be about twisting words or manufacturing sectional interpretations where none exist. The real issue before Owerri Zone is whether a bloc that has never produced a Senator in human history deserves a fair opportunity to participate meaningfully in the leadership of the zone. Dr. Chima Amadi’s candidacy does not undermine equity; it advances it. Supporting him as the only consolation for Ndi Ngor Okpala is therefore not an act of selfishness but a legitimate affirmation that political justice delayed should not become political justice denied.
– Duke is the Chief Press Secretary to Dr Chima Matthew Amadi and a chieftain of the Action Peoples Party