Date Published: 08/17/11

Odili @ 63: Letter to this Unknown Soldier

Peter Odili

Your Excellency, congratulations as you clock three score and three. Though most people for political reasons may not be able to openly express their love and convictions on your genuineness, you need not to worry sir as the stone that was rejected by builders will surely become the new cornerstone of the foundation because the Holy Bible cannot lie…...

Sir, as has been my style since you traveled, I ask to use this opportunity of your birthday to acquaint you with some of the interesting developments since you left.

Peace has returned to the state at least as perceived on the surface. The only problem now is the menacing presence of the military men all over the place. These men have constituted themselves into another kind of “deeh something.”

Sir, blaming you for almost all the woes of Rivers state since the days of eastern region used to be the fashionable way to play politics and gain acceptance by almost all the people that massively benefited in cash and kind from your government. But this seems to be fast changing especially as political opportunists in the state have noticed that your reconciliation with your erstwhile estranged son, Governor Chibuike Amaechi may be real and not surface cosmetics afterall.

The Almighty God will grant you the opportunity to address the people of the state and give them details of your stewardship and also the names and benefits received (in contracts, cash and other forms of goodwill) by these masquerades who are now dancing naked all over Port Harcourt simply because they want to garner favours from the new government in place.

It is interesting Sir that all those who persecuted you before you started persecuting them have equally turned the heat on Rotimi. Their reasons are similar to the ones they used on you- sharing of state resources to the detriment of the ordinary Rivers people. But the beauty of the present situation is that Amaechi has no godfathers nor godmothers though he has several god brothers and sisters who have obviously become part of his problems in the state.

Your son Rotimi is doing very well, at least so far, in terms of articulating and driving people-oriented projects and programmes. You should be very proud of him because he seems to be using his   grah grah  to take up all the development concepts you initiated. And he is pursuing their actualization with the resilience of a “yewali.” He is re-visiting the Rainbow estate, the ring road, and the greater Port Harcourt city projects and many more.

Sir, do you know that one of the first things Chibuike did was to embark on a caterpillar drive round the entire Port Harcourt and environs. He called this urban renewal- an excursion that created roads and open spaces where people had their homes and business premises. Overall   sharr , the city looks beautiful now though he is yet to find a solution to the perennial flood especially on almost all the major roads in Port Harcourt.

The PDP in the state now was not the one you built and left behind. There is a new order with all kinds of factions, some real most fake and strictly for cash drive. Your friend the dull-looking G. U. Ake, who is now the state PDP henchman has relapsed into coma as he literally operates in the underworld- neither heard nor seen to act on anything especially in the daytime.

Let’s I forget, another of you son, Dr Abiye Sekibo who ran as the ACN governorship flag-bearer in the last April election has metamorphosed into an “ogbuagu.” He thinks that criticizing Amaechi for almost everything including wearing T-shirts as an executive governor would make the people of the state forget the alleged atrocities he committed under the pretence of serving you.

Your Excellency, the upland-riverine dichotomy which you completely wiped out from the vocabulary of Rivers people has been revived and it’s being manipulated for cheap political gains and this is fast tearing the state apart along ethnic lines.

As you are fully aware, all the traditional rulers and men of God that literally “lived” and “enjoyed” with you in the Brick House have moved into another room in Amaechi’s Government House. Such is life!

Before I forget sir, Amaechi has sold the last of the aircrafts you bought to Cross River state government at least that’s for sure. But what is not certain is the price he sold it or rather the price Imoke bought it because the two men have different figures as the sale or purchase price. Rotimi’s reason was that the aircraft has become so light that he does not want to be blown into oblivion by the Port Harcourt turbulent wind. He is buying a new one for 48 million U.S dollars.

Also, Chibuike has gone to the bond market to raise N250 billion which he said will be to fund and complete all ongoing and already initiated projects in the state.

Your Excellency, any time you come home please remember not to make or answer phone calls when driving. If you do, you will have direct entry admission at the Psychiatric Hospital Rumuigbo where they will ask you your name and your father’s name over 1000 times within 20 minutes to get you irritated to convict you.

Sir, beware of rumour mongers and influence peddlers any time they come to you in Abuja. Whatever you discuss with them, be sure they would download it for Rotimi as you know most of these people are “food is ready” politicians. So beware!

It is unfortunate to inform you sir that your pal, Uche Secondus has been drowned in the ocean of national politics. The man would have been better the local champion he used to be in Rivers state. Anyway, such is life.

Your son Rotimi and his team salute you. Other children of yours in government both ruling and supposed opposition equally salute you. Your brother and friend Ake at the PDP secretariat salutes you.

Grace and peace be unto you, Amen! Happy Birthday!

IFEANYI IZEZE, ABUJA ( iizeze@yahoo.com ; 234-8033043009)