OMO-AGEGE: HONOUR AND LOYALTY ARE NOT SINS

I recall when the case was first made in 2014 for Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege to go to the Senate, with the support of Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru. Omo-Agege had just then be denied PDP’s gubernatorial ticket. Some within rejected the idea on the main ground that “Omo-Agege is PDP” and would not be ‘loyal’ to Ogboru. But some of us laughed off that reason as untenable. Ogboru would never deny an otherwise ‘qualified’ aspirant an electoral opportunity just because they were once political opponents. Today, Omo-Agege is a great Senator.

Those who raised the ‘loyalty question’ were not so much anti-Omo-Agege per se. They genuinely feared that he could ‘betray’ Ogboru like many others. But they did not advert their minds to Ogboru’s unusual nature. A man who believes in doing what is right and just before God and leaving men to their consciences. But human and imperfect like others, he forgives all. And even today, many would be shocked that he has no PERSONAL ANIMOSITY towards even former Governors James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan. For him, it is about upholding fine leadership values, not individuals.

In just two years in the Senate, Senator Omo-Agege has distinguished himself on the loyalty question. For him, it is much more than loyalty to Ogboru as a person. It is about loyalty to values and the people’s best interests. It is about true brotherly love, honour, and doing right by the standard of good conscience. He is like a political Siamese twin with his brother Ogboru, fondly calling him “Bros G” (whether they are together or not). He has carved for himself the role of the chief advocate on why Ogboru should govern Delta State. Sometimes, I marvel at the depth of passion, conviction, objectivity, fearlessness and truthfulness with which he makes the Ogboru case wherever he goes – without ever running others down. He simply presents his Ogboru Case and boldly concludes with a challenge that he has not seen ANYBODY else who can help APC win overwhelming in a free and fair election in Delta like Ogboru. This is the worthiest example in honour and loyalty. Sadly, to some, this is also Omo-Agege’s gravest sin!

Because Omo-Agege’s ‘gravest sin’ is his exemplary honour, political pragmatism and absolute love for a man who shows him unconditional love, those championing hate against him must check themselves. You do not pay a man with evil for being good. But this is politics – anything goes. But the good news is, Omo-Agege is not an easy nut to crack. He is a master of fierce political uppercuts and he is now being gradually forced to throw them, with his full powers as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic. Some will surely sustain indelible political injuries and wished they never started a war with him. I know what I am talking. In the interest of all, let wisdom prevail now before it gets too late. This is my humble counsel. Like my beloved uncle of blessed memory, Chief Nelson Eboh Wanogho often said in times of internal family disagreements, “I have given my advice. It is left for you to accept or reject it. WHEN LONDON WILL BE BURNING, I SHALL BE AT LIVERPOOL.”