The popular phrase, “mene mene tekel upharsin” appears in the Holy Bible book of Daniel chapter 5, along with its translation. The phrase appeared on a wall in the palace of Belshazzar, the acting king of Babylon who is referred to as the son of Nebuchadnezzar
Although, some translations spell upharsin as parsin, we shall however concern ourselves with -Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. We shall stop at that interpretation for now as language and translation is not the exclusive challenge of the under-represented and impoverished people of Abia nay Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituency whom Nkiru mis’represents.
The Bible must have Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in mind when Heaven dropped the popular phrase – mene mene tekel upharsin” and this is not far fetched.
Abia Conscience Group is aware of a recent media propaganda purportedly from the Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Nkiruka Onyejeocha has been flying around like kites in the sky in recent times. According to the tale, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Dr Uche Ogah agreed a pact with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to support the later in the 2019 gubernatorial election, with assurance that he will be supported in 2023. When we read this tale, we laughed it off as it is anticipated by any sane mind who knows the House Member and her diversionary tactics in Abia politiPEOMISE
If the allegation was peddled by any serious mind, one would have read through it all over again. But coming from a legislature who has been christened the “Female Paul Biya” of Abia State, owing to her near 16 years sit-tight to power at the Federal House of Representatives, nothing could be more laughable.
Perhaps, a little analogy could help here. In football, loosing Fans often shout down a focused team to distract their attention and drag on a boring game to their advantage. Implicitly, Nkiru’s allegations are meant to divert the attention of her constituents over her sit-tightism and pre-election antics of traveling from one political stable to another; she banks on the good will of prudent political actors to win every election and thereafter, dumps a camp and move to the next camp; it’s a repetitive cycle of unproductivity.
It is on record that since assuming Office for the past 14 years (2007-2021), Nkiruka has moved from one bloc to another. Is this not the same Nkiru who served the administration of Orji Uzor Kalu as Commissioner for Resource Management and Manpower Development, and later as Transition Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State in 2002 without a scorecard? Implicitly, she has been a partaker of the misgovernance in Abia State since the inception of the 1999 democratic era. Was it not the same Nkiru who rode on the broad shoulders of Uche Ogah’s household name and magnanimity to return to the House of Representatives in 2019? Today, Nkiru has moved her trade to another camp; worshipping therein and throwing verbal shots to please new friends, and divert the attention of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi people who have weighed her, found her “tekel” wanting, and eagerly await to kick her out by 2023.
Keen observers would recall how Isuikwuato LGA became a Mecca of sort during the 4th term “female Paul Biya” bid for re-election, when it was obvious she was already rejected by her constituents in 2019. Without the benevolence of Ogah’s household name would she have made it to the House? Impossible.
As we approach 2023, it is clear that Nkiru, just like in the palace of Belshazzar, has seen the peoples intending rejection handwriting on the wall – Isuikwuato/Umunneochi has numbered the days of sit-tight reign and will bring it to an end through the ballot paper.
This time, the people have seen enough. They have seen enough of none-implementation of constituency interactive sessions, they have seen enough of the weaponization of poverty occasioned by Quadrennial distribution of noodles and groundnut oil empowerment programs. Once she ascends, she disappears only to reappear again during election. Isuikwuato/Umunneochi constituents have seen enough!!!
The House Member, having realized that the clock is fast ticking for her exit from an overdue sojourn at the Green Chambers have initiated antics to distract Abians from the core demands for good representation at the National Assembly, and good governance in Abia State in particular. With the concorted Ogah-Ikpeazu pact, Abians must remain focused, undistracted by stories, and redeem Abia State from the shackles of sit-tight misrepresentation and unproductive leadership come 2023.
Promise UDEH
Convener, Abia Conscience Group.
