Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the erstwhile governor of Imo stay whose election was annulled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria over a year ago has asked the Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje to seek the face of God for forgiveness.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke at the public presentation of the book, "Scents of Power", written by a former commissioner of Information in Imo state, Dr. Amanze Obi at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja.
Drama started when the Governor of Kano state, who was the Chief Guest of Honour at the book launch, during his opening remarks recognized special invited guests and conspicuously left out Ihedioha as protocol demanded.
Dignitaries present in the occassion include;Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Senators Ben Obi and Kabiru Gaya, among others.
When a visibly displeased Ihedioha was called to give his address as Special Guest of Honour, he used the opportunity to tell his former colleague what he considered "some home truths".
He said: “When Governor Ganduje made his address, he chose not to recognise me. I wasn’t disturbed. It only confirmed what I know. I am sure it confirmed what all of you know: Governor Ganduje belong to the class that won’t admit that I was the man popularly elected as the governor of Imo state by Imo people."
“Governor Ganduje knew when I was Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and we interfaced. As governors, we shared the Economic Council together and he was aware that I won my election resoundingly but he knew what happened.”
Amidst round of applause, Ihedioha turned to the governor, who was obviously stunned and charged. “Governor Ganduje, I pray that God will give you the courage one day to confess and ask for atonement. Only truth can set us free.”
Recall that Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Imo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Election Tribunal and Appeal Court affirmed the election but on January 14, 2020, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad annulled the election and urged INEC to declare Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), winner of the poll.
Earlier in his remarks, Ganduje, who wrote the foreward to the book, described Amanze as “one of Africa’s finest journalists” who has availed Nigeria his talents and energy both in public and private service.
Continuing, Ganduje chose to speak of the author rather than the book, saying: “We are very good friends even though we only met a few years ago. We met in Imo state when the former governor, Rochas Owelle Okorocha conferred on me the title of Chancellor Order of Imo (COI). Since then, our friendship has continued to grow from strength to strength.
“In spite of his significant achievements in both public and private sectors, I am honestly fascinated by his honest, respectful and humble approach to issues. But this is hardly surprising because it is very clear that he is a man who was well brought up.
“His professional work has impacted on our nation’s life. The time he was appointed to serve as commissioner on two occasion, a lot of journalists and politicians got a chance to work with him. So, he has tasted power. That is why in my opinion in my foreward to the book, I made it clear and suggested that the title of this book should have been Taste of Power,” Ganduje said
