OPINION: At Ekwueme Square, Obi, Ekwunife and the Writers, By Tobenna Obiano

At the special State burial and honor organized for the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme at the popular Ekwueme Square in Awka, I learnt some melo-drama played out.

It was said that the duo of Anambra’s former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and a former Senator of Anambra Central, Iyom Uche Ekwunife were unavoidably absent.

It was also alleged that another former Governor, Mr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju was somehow humiliated and shamed by some youth, believed to be hired thugs. It is claimed that Mbadinuju wasn’t their main target, but as Obi and Ekwunife smartly didn’t show-up, Mbadinuju became their victim.

I have read from many “supposed” leaders of tomorrow write about what played out there. I’m particularly not concerned about what might have played out there, but I’m angered in how belittling, how lowly and how shallow-minded some persons can be. I’m angered that instead of writing powerful notes and worthwhile tributes in honor of the late political iroko, some young peeps chose to begin an unsolicited register and open up a record, noting who came and who didn’t attend the State burial.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to note quite clearly that attending burials and funerals of anybody, no matter who is involved isn’t under compulsion. It’s always a matter of choice. This is a fact measured up for keeps. Ekwueme’s was a National burial and the President didn’t attend, he actually sent his Vice-President and the world didn’t come to an end.

I read many who quite unintelligently and with this sort of embarrassing grammatical blunder were gagging up words and sentences, writing that Mr. Obi and Mrs. Ekwunife didn’t attend because they have suddenly been hated by “all” Anambrarians. They called those two all sort of names. They tried to humiliate them in their write-ups. The most painful part was that all those who wrote these are young people, who are obviously yet to find their grounds. Ofcourse, hunger is a terrible thing and many of these guys can’t give up accepting pittance from their paymasters. Well, Nigeria is what it is.

For the records, when Chief. Ekwueme became ill, Obi and the family rallied around the elder statesman and did all that was within their reach to manage his failing health. While he was flown to London, Obi kept in touch and visited. Even when he died and was to be flown home, Obi stood by them and joined the family members while his remains was flown back to Nigeria. At the special service held at Muson center, Lagos, again Obi was there. At the Abuja grand reception of the former Vice President, Obi showed up. Iyom Uche Ekwunife was there at the reception of Ekwueme’s remains in Enugu.

Now, Obi and Ekwunife surely were to, or had later attended the actual burial ceremony in Oko, the country home of Dr. Alex Ekwueme; what could be more?

Yes, they both didn’t make it to Ekwueme Square to honor the man. This does not in any way make them less respectful of the man, neither did it show them to be dishonorable to him. Infact, if rumors making the rounds were anything to go by, that some paid street urchins, nonentities and thugs had been paid and kept standby to shame and ridicule Okwute and Iyom had they attended the State burial, then, it’s only intelligent and shows high respect for Ekwueme that they didn’t attend. Imagine the uneasiness, the insanity and the level of gross misconduct that might have played out if they attended and the fools were ready to bully or malign them. There might be crash between fans and loyalists of opponents. Their smart decision to avoid attending saved the day.

Obi and Ekwunife might have gotten a tip-off or what’s called security report of the planned-attack and to save the day, they respectfully stayed away. They have done great honor to Chief. Ekwueme and instead of writing them down, they deserve to be hailed and appreciated. This is not Kano State where political opponents or those who might have played integral roles in “making” others stupidly challenge them and invite thugs to rallies with machetes, sticks, bows and arrows to fight against their “gods”. In Anambra, we play smart, Obi and Ekwunife did well.

Lastly, many forgot it was a burial and funeral, not a political rally. Some of the writers and commenters that I have read showcase this class level of craze and insanity, where their sole aim is to ridicule or shame others even without appraising the life and times of the true Igbo son, who in life and death represented true-brotherhood and was a rallying point for ndi-Igbo and not a defining point of ignorance or arrogance.

Again, as for Mbadinuju, while it might be unfair to be so badly treated, but thinking again to those long months of industrial action, strike, those years of non-payment of salaries, those years of calling our retirees dead woods, those years of Monday morning Bible prayers and study, yet Anambra wasn’t working, it’s a collective resolve that Anambra isn’t a place you toy with their destinies and expect a rousing welcome, no, we tell you off.
Odera got served!

Yes, for not attending the State burial held at the Ekwueme Square in Awka which might have caused rising tension and possibly breakdown of law and order, to the fine and refined Mr. Peter Obi and to Sen. Uche Ekwunife, I say thank you. Indeed, from the heavens, Ekwueme would be smiling down at you both for honoring him in life and death.

Those who must write or speak should do so intelligently and with a functional thinking faculty. Perhaps, many of today’s political writers on social media, do write like they have saw dusts as grey matter up in their brain.

I have said mine, feel free to fight the gods!