Ebie, power, lessons for politicians

By GCON Media

According to the immortal words of the great Martin Luther King Jr., “Power is nothing but the ability to achieve a purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, economic, political, cultural and religious changes.

“What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anaemic.

“Power at its best is love implementing the demand of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.”

What the above tells us is that there is nothing wrong with power; that power could be used both constructively and destructively; that for a human to function well in any given position of authority, he/she must identify that power is not a complete end but looks up to something further; it cannot itself be the ultimate goal. Martin Luther King Jnr told us that power is valuable according to the use to which it may be put.

When the achievements and leadership trajectory of Chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, are juxtaposed with the Luther King’s thought- provoking postulations, one needs no crystal ball or a soothsayer to realise that the NDDC boss is using power both constructively and purposefully to bring about social, economic and political change for the Ika nation, his immediate constituency. From infrastructural provisions to youth empowerment, human capital development, provision of improved medical facilities, sports development, scholarships and ICT facilities, among others.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, the Ika nation has always been blessed with political appointments at both state and Federal levels, but there is a major challenge: The inherent gains attached to those offices were neither felt nor domesticated in Ika land. Quite sad.

Again, it is not as if the majority of the previously elected or appointed office holders lacked the needed political will or connection to move the Ika nation forward. No! Most didn’t. They were simply prevented by three negative factors:

Firstly, aside from playing parochial politics, they had no clear definition of the people’s challenges and needs and the appropriate means to address the problems and achieve the desired goals. Secondly, their political and leadership styles virtually had no consideration for connecting the poor with good and durable means of livelihood – food, job, security, modern and sustainable amenities.

Thirdly, they daily manifested a non-possession of political will to perform their constitutional responsibilities. These are the only possible explanations for this situation.

Conversely, Ebie, in the past two years of superintending over the NDDC, has defined power in the image of his actions. His success and outstanding people-oriented leadership style are largely fueled by unmatched transparency, inclusivity, unwavering commitment to responsibilities and strong morals driven by good home training and further amplified by his not giving in to primordial and parochial politics, have placed him miles ahead of his peers in Ika Federal Constituency.

And there lies the major difference between Ebie and other political leaders, and it largely explains why he is presently considered by the generality of Ika people as the new political leader of Ika land. Undoubtedly, Ebie represents the new order in Ika’s political trajectory, effectively changing the narrative.

As Ebie continues to strive in his present resolve to build a new Ika nation of our dream, one thing appears sure: he embodies humility, inclusivity, accommodation and integrity. Ebie leaves no one in doubt that he is always ready and willing to accommodate and assist all that comes to him. It is also evident that the people of Agbor, in particular, and the Ika nation in general, have seen the light and would not allow darkness to rule over them again in the guise of politics. Never again.

Ebie is a technocrat, a reformer, a well-foresighted and quietly influential Ika son who steadily brings democracy dividends to his people. Because he is not a believer in parochial politics, Ebie is not only widely accepted in Delta state but has also become a bridge between Ika Federal Constituency and the national level.

GCON Media is an Agbor, Delta State-based political pressure group committed to strategic communication of political deals, philosophies and virtues.