By Steve Osuji
When I read his announcement earlier today that he had decamped to the APC, my heart sank.
Not that I thought he was an ideologue or idealist politician at that, no. I guess I had mistaken him to be among the few thinking and rational young politicians still left in town.
Southeast currently has a dearth of thinking and rational politicians which explains why the worst among us have led us since 1999.
But Barrister Willie Amadi just dove through the same window this morning… of course to earn his spurs as muck rake politician.
While I am thoroughly disappointed, I must say I am not terribly surprised.
Our paths crossed in 2007 when we both served as senior aides to Governor Ikedi Ohakim. Willie was brought in to replace gentleman Steve Onu as head of ENTRACO.
Maverick, effervescent, quick witted, he rode the Environment and Transformation Committee like a crazed rider on a crazed bull.
It was as if Willie never slept. You went to bed with news of Willie Amadi’s exploits in the evening and woke up with more news of him the following day.
Appropriately christened UKWA ACH AKA YAA GBA (I confess I can’t interprete this to English, would need readers’ help here), put roughly, he who grills nuts on his palm! But the import of it all is that he is imbued with much courage and self confidence.
He was the engine driving Gov. Ohakim’s much successful CLEAN & GREEN INITIATIVE. An Owerri man, he demolished illegal structures in Owerri with unflinching gusto. He reigned like a warlord over Owerri and the fear of Ukwa was the beginning of wisdom.
Charismatic, pragmatic, ebullient and full of native wisdom, Willie is well regarded within Owerri political circles and beyond. He was seen as among the emerging pillars of Imo Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
But alas, by his current decamping to the ruling APC, he has confirmed to us all that he is just like the rest of the bumbling park – politicians with no ideal, who only add value to their stomach and not the people…
By the way, what would entice any rational leader to APC which has been in the doldrums, unable to manage itself how much more the country? Of course, no prize for figuring that it’s the lure of personal opportunities and self aggrandisement.
Not that PDP is an example of good conduct, no, it’s just about that little matter of showing a modicum of honour and principle..
ANOTHER ONE GONE.
• Osuji is a newspaper columnist.