TWO YEARS IN IMO STATE WITHOUT OUR ARTHUR
By Nwamkpa Modestus (KSM)
Ogbuagu, today is exactly two years you took a bow from this world like a hero you were. It is two years the world has stayed without you. Though, you are no longer around with us but your name still reverberates around the country, your shadow still looms and your legacies still indelible. You were indeed an Arthur and the film ended with your exit but the drama started a fresh in our polity.
Ogbuagu, though I never had much contact with you during your active political period for I was still in my primary, secondary and university schooling except when I visited you both in Abuja and Oguta to consult you for my House of Assembly contest in 2015 made possible by your wife Prince Joan Nzeribe. Then, you were not too strong healthwise but I could still see a man gifted intellectually with a strong spirit to survive the vicissitudes of life in your fading voice and encouragement to me. I still recall all you told me till this moment.
Chief, since you left, mankind has known that life is emphmeral and also come to terms with the truth that life is vanity upon vanity and all is vanity. If you could die with all your wealth, political stamina, positions, connections, stubbornness, material acquisitions and intellect, what is life? The Nigerian political space has never been the same since you died.
Oguta LGA in particular lost a leader like no other, difficult, if not impossible to replace. The aura, respect, recognition, special attention and consideration hitherto accorded Oguta LGA because of you when you were alive died with you. The usual pilgrim-like visitations at your ‘Heaven of Peace’ home in Oguta by different politicians both high and low ended abruptly immediately you died.
You were classical in approach, soft in speech, dogged in struggle, a stickler in agreement and a goal getter. You were successful in business and maverick in politics. You were feared, revered and respected by all. You had alot of myth surrounding your personality. I recall when, as a boy, we were told how a big Python lived in your living room and how you had a money printing machine in your house that you allegedly used to print as much money as you wanted. But all were balderdash!
Distinguished Senator, you handled yourself with dignity and has a lot of legacies to your name. You were born in affluence and you lived all through your life in affluence. Till today, you remained the only politician in Nigeria who spread mint cash aboard helicopter during your campaign rally in 1983. But Ogbuagu, I feel that your action in the nullification of June 12 1993 Presidential election presumably won by Chief MKO Abiola was unpatriotic and in bad fate, no matter the argument or conviction you probably had as your reason. In any case, it is still there as one of your unforgettable legacies.
I wish you lived longer till this day. You were a true leader of men, simple in nature, matured in conduct and respectful to all. You were the only leader whose house is open for all whether you were around or not and anybody who visited your house must be served food and drink. You prepared yourself for the role and position God bestowed on you.
Therefore, on this Day marking exactly two years you left this world, I remember your personality with midst feelings. My heart goes out to your very supportive and good wife Princess Mrs Edugie Joan Nzeribe and your children. I still commiserate with the entire Nzeribe family. We remain proud of you our Apex leader in Oguta LGA even in death.
May you continued to rest in peace our highly respected leader and may God’s eternal glory continue to shine upon your gentle soul in His blossom.
Rest on our leader, father, brother, Son and grandfather Senator Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe, Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Damanze, Oyimba.
Truthfully Yours, Nwamkpa Modestus is my name and I approve of this tribute.
