“…conflict tradition is not a good behavioural attribute of exposed persons and rational minds…interest converge and conflict in all human societies…the ability of a group to recognise the import of cooperative action in their relationship with one another undoubtedly paint accurate picture of who they are and the strategic position they occupy, especially in the political equation of their geo-politics….”(Chris Nwagboso, 2002).
The above analytical framework undoubtedly captures the current trend in the contemporary Ukwa-Ngwa Nation. The histo-political study of Ukwa-Ngwa Nation cannot be accepted for any intellectual discourse without a recourse to the 2023 Political Struggle in Abia State. Thus, individualism played more prominent roles than collectivism among Ukwa-Ngwa People before, during and after the 2023 Election in Abia State. The implications of such primitive-cum aberrant Political Behaviour adversely impacted on Ukwa-Ngwa interest, especially in 2023.
Indeed, Ndi Ukwa-Ngwa didn’t lose grip of political power in 2023 because they didn’t have supporters to vote for their interest in 2023. They didn’t lose grip of power-politics because they lacked the resources to ventilate their political aspirations and strategies. They didn’t lose election because some of their sons and daughters dumped PDP-cum Ukwa-Ngwa course and supported opposition parties in 2023. These perspectives above are completely far from what transpired in Ukwa-Ngwa Nation in 2023.
To be sure, the accumulated anger among some leaders, youths and women in Ukwa-Ngwa against few misguided, greedy, self-serving and power-hawks, who suddenly saw themselves at the decision-making temple-cum kitchen cabinet overnight, undoubtedly resulted to engagement in anti-Ukwa-Ngwa activities to pull down some ill-conceived-cum anti-people dynasties, simply to prove some points. This was exactly what happened. In all indications, these anger-drunk groups succeeded in proving the thesis that “one person does not eat a cow”. The collaboration of such angry-drunk set of Ukwa-Ngwa sons and daughters was exactly what rubbed the people the opportunity to retain power in 2023.
It’s, therefore, pertinent to note that the 2023 election has gone. Paradoxically, we are still indigenes of Ukwa-Ngwa. Those who angrily collaborated with the opposition parties to dislodge the collective interest of their people have not relocated to other geo-politics in Abia State. They have not changed their surnames. Their origins as Ndi Ukwa-Ngwa still subsist till date. This therefore, suggest that we are one Political Entity in Abia State. This is very instructive because the “lever of one’s brother does not taste sweet no matter the ingredients used in preparing it”.
In view of the foregoing, I, therefore, call on Ukwa-Ngwa People to forgive one another and majestically move ahead. There’s nothing we cannot achieve if we forgive one another today and set new home-grown agenda for our collective interest and for the good of our dear State. Certainly there’s nothing we can’t achieve. We are Ndi Ukwa-Ngwa. We made avoidable mistakes. The good news is that we have learnt hard/painful lessons. We played with power when we had the opportunity. But let’s quickly put this behind us. Surely, we have better days ahead.
Consequently, all sons and daughters of Ukwa-Ngwa should please forgive and forget the events of 2023. Forgive one another unconditionally and move ahead. Cooperative Action is one thousand times bigger than Billions of Naira some disgruntled elements are trusting in and also parading with. Thus, no quantity of Billions of Naira has ever moulded human beings in the history of mankind. Don’t be frightened with the Billions of Naira you are hearing recently in political discourses-Cum events around us. Such Billions of Naira cannot and will never mould any human being, no matter how poor the person may look like.
Forgive one another Ukwa-Ngwa People!
Unite yourselves Ukwa-Ngwa People!!
Be brave Ukwa-Ngwa People!!!
Your glory has not lost!!!!
You are still a critical force in all political equation and permutations in Abia State.
Move on Ukwa-Ngwa People!
If Ukwa-Ngwa DNA runs in your blood, quickly share this piece to all Ukwa-Ngwa sons and daughters across the world. Share this piece for consumption of all our sons and daughters on different social and print media platforms across the world.
Chris Nwagboso, PhD,
Umuehim Nvosi,
Isiala Ngwa South LGA
Abia State.
27/09/2024.