Advocate for rule of law in Nigeria and democracy entrenched in the content and context of African culture.
The African Democratic system is failing rapidly, this was the submission of the formal president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo this in a Colloquium organized to celebrate the 60th birthday of the formal deputy speaker of the house of representative, Chief Emeka Ihedioha in Abuja.
The colloquium with the
topic: Is Democracy Failing In Africa?
It was chaired by the formal President of Nigeria (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo).
Obasanjo in his address stated categorically that African democracy is at it’s lowest ebb, he opined that African democracy is not entrenched in African culture and because of this, African leaders have continued to focus on western democracy. He siad; “before the coming of the white people into African soil, Africa had its own democracy entrenched in our cultural norms, but when the westerners came they dismantled our democracy and imposed their own ideas.”
He went further to advocate for African democracy embedded in African content and context.
“If democracy must succeed in Africa, it must be in the content and context of African culture he stated”.
The formal vice president of Nigeria Alhaji Atiku Abubarka, said that Chief Ihedioha is a patriotic and an accomplished Democrat.
He wished the celebrant many more fruitful years.
“For a patriot, and long-standing associate like Ihedioha, birthdays are a moment of reflection. Your birthday is a time to appreciate you for your unwavering support all through the years. More than anything, it is a moment to thank the Almighty for His blessings and grace upon you. As you celebrate today, I am happy to join many other well-wishers of yours to pray for you for many more years in good health and service to humanity. Happy birthday, Emeka, and do have the best of the day.”
The keynote speaker at the event, Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukkah, admonished African leaders to promote human rights, freedom, liberty and Cohesion. He said that there is no perfect democracy anywhere in the world, he said that even the USA where we borrowed our system of democracy from has continued to evolve from the first amendment till now.
In his words: “There is no perfect democracy anywhere, the Greek democracy which is regarded as the oldest democracy had it’s shortcomings as the democracy recognized only the wealthy and men. The American democracy too had its own problems, the first constitution in 1878, never recognized women, the poor, and even slaves. It was the constitution of 1779, that recognized everyone, so there is no perfect system.
However, African leaders must strive to promote the true federalism, democracy is about freedom, liberty, natural rights and social contract.
African leaders must understand the true meaning of democracy and work hard to promote it”
The formal Senate president Dr. David Mark in his goodwill messages, praised chief Emeka Ihedioha’s resilience, courage and determination even in the face of most difficult moments. He said that Chief Ihedioha is one of the most patriotic Nigerian he has ever known because of his doggedness, humility and always ready to defend democracy no matter the cost.
He wished him well in his future endeavor.
The man of the moment Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who was beaming with smiles thanked everyone who attended the colloquium. He said that his parents had taught him the true meaning of keeping friendships as it is the greatest asset.
“To say that I’m overwhelmed is to say the least, to say that my day is made will just be an understatement. Emeka’s story is also about 5 senior sisters and 4 immediate younger sisters, my mum of blessed memory would have loved to be here. I thank God for the kind of mother that I have, a mother that would wake me up at 4am to reprimand me and caution me, she taught me a lot about life.
And to my father who taught me a lot about life, he said to me Emeka the most expensive habit is keeping friends, I never understood till today. Some of you here have spent millions, some flew in from outside the country, I will never forget”.
He advocated for true federalism, which to him is the best way to practice real democracy.
“For our democracy to be strong, true federalism is the way to go. It is the most effective tool for managing diversities and true Democratic governance which will facilitate development in all African countries, when we were commencing this program, some people thought we are going to discuss about what happened in Imo state, but you can see that there is nothing like that here. My focus now is moving forward.
The past should remain in the past. I’m a Democrat and I will continue to be.”
There were goodwill massages from Chief Emeka Anyaoku (formal secretary general of Commonwealth)
Dr. Amina Mohammed (UN assistant Secretary).
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Director (World trade organization) via zoom.
The speaker of house of representative ably represented by the deputy speaker Dr. Benjamin Kalu.
Formal Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole.
The event was well attended as 3 formal Senate presidents, 4 formal speakers of house of representatives, members of the National Assembly, 9 former governors,
captains of industries, and other important personalities graced the occasion.
Other dignitaries present include;
Mr. Peter Obi, Proff.Jerry Gana, Primet Anglican communion (Dr. Henry Ndukuba),
and host of other dignitaries.
In 1992, Ihedioha was appointed press officer to the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Iyorchia Ayu. A year later he was appointed chief press secretary to the Deputy Senate President. Following a military incursion in the polity in November 1993, Ihedioha returned to his communications practice as Chief Executive Officer of First Page Communications. He became Director of Publicity of the newly formed People’s Democratic Movement, the purveyor of the People’s Democratic Party in 1998.
He was appointed special assistant to the Presidential Adviser on Utilities in July 1999, as a special assistant on media and publicity to the President of the Senate in November 1999, and as a special assistant on political matters to the Vice President in September 2001. He won a seat in the House of Representatives as a member representing Aboh Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency of Imo State in 2003.
He was the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015. During this period, he served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives after Tambuwal’s swearing-in as the Executive Governor of Sokoto State.
On 9 March 2019, Ihedioha contested for the gubernatorial seat for Imo State under the political platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
On 11 March 2019, Ihedioha was declared Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sitting in Imo State, after he defeated Uche Nwosu (son-in-law of the of the formal governor Rochas Okorocha) who ran under the Action Alliance Party (AA), with a total of 273,404 votes.
He was removed from office on 14 January 2020 by a Supreme Court judgment and was replaced by the incumbent governor Hope Uzodima, the APC standard bearer in the election.
On 23 April 2024, Ihedioha resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing loss of party’s vision and lack of internal democracy.
