By Arc. Simon Odoh.

Trust, sincerity of purpose, character and credibility are essential traits that define a good leader. Geneneral Robert Lee in 1860 wrote a letter to his son where he told him, “Always be frank and honest with people, keep your words, and above all, do not appear to others what you are not.”

This kind of humble advice is not meant for a man in Chijioke Edeoga mould whose deperation for power have turned his ears to a mere object of decoration. The Eha-Amufu born politician has a landmark legacy for backstabbing of his closest friends and benefactors.

He hides his true nature with his self professed sainthood. Marcus Cicero was quoted by William Durant in the story of civilization as the most lovable hypocrite in human history. Chijioke Edeoga is no diffrent a person, a chameleonic and treacherous character.

This is a man who was grieviously wounded by poverty, and was rescued from political oblivion by the Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Ike made Edeoga his Senior Legistilative Aide and later assisted in making him Special Adviser to the President. The momement Ikeoha indicated interest in the State governorship contest, hell was let loose. Edeoga and his echo team teared Ikeoha into pieces. Every day and every hour, purported properties including the ones he knows nothing about were published by Edeoga media office. The anti-graft agencies were actually aided in their findings by the Mgbuji politician who acts like a CIA agent. The travails Ikeoha is facing today has its origin in Edeoga’s investigative room.

The story of Chief Evarest Nnaji populary known as Odengene is even more pathetic. Following the growing acceptance of the Peter Obi movement in the South East and beyond, Odengene saw this as an opportunity but needed Edeoga to mop up Enugu North votes for him. He told Edeoga about his plans, his chances and decision to vie for the governorship race under the Labour Party. Report has it that each time Edeoga visited Nnaji, he went straight to the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee. At another time while discussion was going on he walked to the fridge and got himself a bottle of cold beer. This Nollywood acting was to prove to Odengene that he was fully with him. 

Edeoga is a master of political intrigue. So with all the vital information at his disposal, he prodded his inner self and said, why not me, why Odengene? Some days later noctural meetings were held at Nsukka with the place holder in attendance. Chief Nnaji’s fate was decided. Labour Party primary election was held under a guarded secrecy without the knowledge of the man who provided funds for all rallies, seminars, hotel expenses, billboards and logistics for more than three months. But Odengene is not a dance done with snuff in the palm. He took the matter to the High Court in Abuja. 

And what people did not know is that the rented crowd at the recent Nsukka rally was to convince Peter Obi that Edeaoga is a crowd puller capable of delivering him in Enugu State. What a scam.

Odengene is not a desperate politician but he will not take this betrayal from someone he trusted, someone he gave so much money to, and even made him the head of his strategic team when the going was good to go without a fight.

Again, the much touted integrity by the Edeoga media goons as his selling point is neither here or there. It is the biggest scam of the century. On assumption of office as Commissioner for Local Goverment Affairs, Edeoga invented a story that he was a cousin to the sitting governor. The stage was set for the milking of local goverment funds. On monthly basis the council chairmen were made to deposit huge funds for the production of one useless magazine which nobody saw at any newstand. In every election aspirants trooped to Edeoga’s house with cash and gifts to curry favour which he hardly provided.

But despite all the unaccountable funds percolating into his secret accounts, you will still not notice any change Edeoga conduct. In Nigerian parlance, it is called “chop and clean mouth”. Who does not know that Edeoga was one of the most favoured Commissioners under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. But he is now going from door to door abusing and denigrating his benefactor of many years. This is a strange habit in our land, in Nssukka we are known for being thankful for good gestures.

The main issue begging for answer is whether Enugu West will cast their votes to Edeoga who initiated the pain Ikeoha is facing currently, wether Nkanu people who he hated without let will still support him and if my people in Nsukka will still give their mandate to a man whose words are never his bond.

Now, even if the Federal High Court in Abuja rules in Edeoga’s favour on the 9th of November 2022, what will he do with the baggage of moral burden hanging on his neck? 

Many curious minds are still asking, can a serial betrayer like Edeoga be entrusted with power?