By Austin kpomah
It pains me deep down as a proud Udu son to hear and learn of the attempted humiliation being visited on one of the sterling personalities in Ughievwen Kingdom and Nigeria at large
Let me start by saying that the generation we live in currently takes pleasure in desecrating our timeless culture and traditions, forgetting that for every action there are consequences. It therefore beats me hollow to learn of this misguided attitude coming from you Emuoboh
For the avoidance of doubt, lest you see me as some meddlesome interloper, let me drive home some realities into your conscience so you know I am by no means a loafing bystander.
I was introduced to your father, Late Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi by Niger Delta activist, Zik Gbemre for the purpose of helping him, Olorogun Gbagi actualize his political dream as Delta State Governor under the banner of the PDP.
I became one of his closest confidante and fully committed to his political cause by producing a magazine and a customized bottled water as my contribution to his campaign and political ambition.
His campaign tour to Udu remains fresh in the memory of the leaders of PDP in Udu, made possible through my well-oiled coordination.
I used to drive your father in my car from his hotel to Oginibo his home town at 2am during which he would open up and intimate me with his humble beginnings, including business, family life and politics, amongst others.
I was truly a close confidant to him, understanding his idiosyncrasies and sociopolitical orientation.
At a point in time when the promise was broken, he left the PDP and moved on to the SDP to actualize his political dreams. He pleaded with me to follow him and I became his political consultant. The governorship flag of the SDP was eventually handed to me on his behalf at the Congress where I made a bold speech on his behalf. Today, that is history.
I make bold to say without equivocation that I was an insider to your family all through whilst your father was alive.
This is why I read with utmost consternation an attempt by you to arrest Zik by the Nigeria Police, a man who was your father’s close confidant. This is a man your father in his colossal ebullience always ran to for priceless counsel because he knew his opinions were genuine and altruistic. He equally advised him against the governorship quest, having balanced the permutations.
I remembered vividly that your father, Olorogun Gbagi was to be arrested by the Nigeria Police at the burial of his late half sister, your aunty, at Oginibo. He was alleged to have stripped or given the directive to strip two women naked who were working for him at his hotel. Recall how that video went viral. Your father’s political enemies took advantage of the incident and orchestrated his arrest in order to ridicule him and shame him publicly. It took the personal intervention of Zik Gbemre who prevented the police from arresting your father. Should they have succeeded, it would have been a monumental disgrace and targeted umbrage at his personality.
Which brings me to the underlining question, what is the offence of Zik to demand that your father’s properties should be shared according to the custom and traditions of Ughievwen Kingdom for equity and fairness amongst his children?
You know too well that Zik Gbemire in his capacity as a socal advocate would always fight the cause of others, especially the vulnerable and helpless in the society. This has been his nature by choice. If he is engaged in doing same thing in honour of Chief Gbagi, his late confidant, methinks it is not out of place. In your father’s grave, he will be happy that Zik did not let him down. That is what a true friend would do in any case!
In case you seem drowned in the luxury and vanity of the moment, may I prick your conscience that the wealth and fortune your father laboured for over the years is at the verge of collapse because of your inordinate quest to appropriate everything to yourself. This is very unfortunate that under just a year of your father’s demise, you have started selling off his properties to fund your lavish lifestyle without the knowledge of your siblings and the matter is in court.
In the same vein, some part of your father’s mansion at Oginibo have been rented out by you just to feed while some politicians who were your father’s sworn enemies have indicated readiness to buy these choice properties at ridiculous amount. What a pity!
My sincere and unblemished counsel to you is to retrace your steps immediately, in order not to attract the curse of the ancestors against you and your household.
Plus and very importantly, I advise you, without delay to come down from your high horse of arrogance and humbly tender unreserved apologies to Zik Gbemire the man who once saved your father from embarrassment so that it will be well with you.
Let the heavens take note that I did make my position known to you while breath is still active.
Shalom!
Austin Kpomah writes from Otor-Udu,Udu in Delta State.
