By Don Norman Obinna (Agu Ibeku)


In his exploration of systems of government and dynamics that could make democracy prejudicious, one of the world’s renowned Neuroscientists, Abhijit Naskar, posits thus:


“In a society where the majority choose charisma over character, democracy does more harm than good to the actual progress of that society.”


In other words, character – the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual – is paramount in realising and maximising the objectives and dividends of self-government, while charisma - persuasive allure or charm that can stimulate devotion in others – is an albatross to good governance. 

  

Paradoxically, a section of Abia State opinion leaders, social media influencers and keyboard warriors (sometimes) protected by pseudonyms and avatars use histrionic and vitriolic outbursts to give a preferential courtesy to charisma in our leadership choice.


Beyond the glitz and smokescreen by these rumbustious E-rats to pull our chain, we should insist on a gingerly appraisal of stewardships as a touchstone in choosing our representatives.

  

Unfortunately, we pooh-pooh appraisal in favour of façade and physique in our choice of leadership, as demonstrated by a few zealots who calumniated me for putting a caveat on Ginger Onwusibe’s 2023 political ambition.


But if we set aside sentiments and put side by side the achievements of Honourable Ginger and Professor Agbazuere, we would be as thick as two short planks to place the former above the latter in the race for the Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal constituency.


Aside from serving as a councillor in 1999 and the leader of the Isiala Ngwa North legislative council, Ginger served as the LG chairman on four occasions compared to Prof. Abgazuere’s single term of two years as the Isiala Ngwa South LG chairman.


During his 20 years (1999 – 2019) of service to his constituents as a councillor and LG chairman, Ginger could only boast of grading roads, building a one-classroom block, a spectators’ stand (he refers to as a mini-stadium) and repainting the Amapu Ntigha primary school buildings.


These achievements are meagre and lachrymose compared to Prof. Agbazuere’s one term of two years as the elected LG chairman of Isiala Ngwa South. 


Within two years, Agbazuere built and furnished the Isiala Ngwa South High Court, Omoba, reconstructed Okpokiri Customary Court and drilled boreholes in the 18 ABSIEC wards of the LG with Generating Sets to pump water.

  

He also bought and installed 500KVA transformers in several villages of the council, brand new Hyundai cars the LG officials still use today, Hilux vans and a Hummer Bus for Omoba Police Station.


Agbazuere built the first Six classroom blocks for Ikem Migrant Primary School and relocated it to the present site at Umuwaocha Ikem Nvosi. He controlled the Umuehim and Ahia Ohuru by Railway line in Nvosi erosion disasters and attracted five health centres to Isiala Ngwa LG. 


He tarred Umuene – Omoba road and remained the only LG Chairman that tarred road in Isiala Ngwa South.

 

As a member of the Abia State House of Assembly that receives N229 million monthly overhead, Ginger has been flying by the seat of his pants because of ingenuousness. 


It explains why he prioritised building spectator stands in existing primary/secondary school football pitches and sharing N10k to 200 persons under empowerment pretext than sponsoring a single transformative bill - the primary oversight of a lawmaker-.

 

I can tell gratuitously that Erik Opah, Dr Obioma Orji, Ncheta Omerekpe, Nana Nwafor, Martins Azubuike, Chief Theodore Orji, Chinedum Orji and some prominent persons contributed most of these empowerment funds and items. But Ginger never ascribed the honour to them.


On the flip side, as the General Manager of Abia State Passengers Integrated Manifest Scheme (ASPIMSS), Agbazuere, within seven weeks of resumption, offset the three months' salary arrears he inherited and paid staff on the 23rd of every month.


He rebuilt the deplorable structure and tastefully landscaped the ASPIMSS premises. It is on record that ASPIMSS was always the first government establishment to pay workers.


As Chief of Staff, he renovated the Works Department building and dug boreholes for the Area 4 residential buildings from the usual imprest. He approved imprest for the directors for the first time and got an appointment for over 50 youths and employment for another ten persons. 


If we juxtaposed the achievements of the two frontline contenders, the transformational leadership the Isiala Ngwa constituents hanker is touch-and-go under Ginger Onwusibe. Therefore, we need to be on the qui vive.


To be continued.