It's over a month now since the defection of Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah from the YPP to the APC, and the ripples of his joining the party at the center is still trending not just in Anambra but all over the country. This is a pointer to the fact that having him in the APC comes with it's benefits because of what he stands for. The Ifeanyi Ubah brand has continued to stand firm even in the face of uncertainties, as he has surprised many in the past by the feats he has achieved. These feats are basically for the overall well-being of his people.
Ifeanyi Ubah no doubt is coming to the APC to replicate what he is known for, which is changing narratives positively. This he did with an unknown party the YPP, and is set to do same in his new party the APC. However since his defection to the APC many have in a blanket philosophy, condemned him, in-toto, for joining a party they term evil, a party they say is for a particular tribe because of theIr propaganda and stereotypes used in the past to discard the party for political and selfish interests.
His statement after his defection still resonates who he is and what he stands for. He said "it wasn't an easy decision, because I must appreciate that when I needed help the most politically, YPP came to my rescue and I owe it to YPP. They were with me. But, now I have also been able to groom a lot of people in YPP and I think it's now time to join APC so that I can bring the dividends of democracy and the Renewed Hope to my constituency." This clearly shows that he has a different political ideology and also appreciates the past.
The Ifeanyi Ubah model is built on hard work, zeal for humanity and compassion for his constituents. As a person, I have followed his antecedents for years and it has been consistent with love for his people. This is evident in the many intervention approaches he has brought to bear, even as a private individual. The list is long but I will mention but a few, starting with the one that almost crippled the economy of the South East. Ifeanyi Ubah in his usual love for his people during the time of high level of insecurity in Anambra, launched the light up and secure Anambra project.
Today, that project has yielded results, and Nnewi his home town is now secured. With the installation of closed-circuit television across the town, it's now easy to track down criminal elements,who in the past had evaded the long arms of the law. This measure has helped the security agencies in combatting crime effectively. Another is on sports. We all know that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. On the 13/01/2023 Senator Ubah with the former Honourable Minister Of Youths and Sports development, Mr. Sunday Dare commissioned the newly built state of the art sports club facility in Nnewi. The Nnewi sports club facility was built by Senator Ubah and the sports facility is one of the best in the Southeast. It is equipped with state of the art fitness equipments and contains several facilities that include club hall, restaurant, executive bar, presidential office, captain's office, several game rooms that includes table tennis, badminton Hall, two(snooker) billiard rooms one Upstairs and another downstairs, exquisite pavilion for spectators, lawn tennis court, sauna room, well euipped Gym hall Etc. This is the Ifeanyi Ubah model. Today, this facility serve as a meeting point for locals to discuss excerise and keep fit all because of Senator Ubah.
One's reputation is what others think of the person; one's character is what one truly is. Reputations can be manipulated; character can only be developed and maintained. Senator Ubah has maintained his character as a giver, whose interest is for the people, that can't be changed with his defection to the APC. APC is a party, it's a vehicle. The truth remains that the driver is what matters and not necessarily the vehicle, because a driver who knows his onions when given a good vehicle will surely deliver the goods or service as desired.
No matter how we look at it, time has gone when we waved issues of interest aside because of pecuniary interests. Senator Ubah defection to the APC to me is the best approach towards connecting with the Government at the center. Many do not understand how government works, but let me state here that Government is all about the exercise of political authority over the actions, affairs, of a political unit, people, as well as the performance of certain functions for this unit or body; the action of governing; political rule is all about getting what one deserves for it's constituents through negotiations because of scarce resources, as others are also interested in what we also desire.
It's high time we understand the fact that politics is all about the overall interest of the governed and not the political class. Those kicking against his joining of the APC, I can say are political short sighted individuals. Nobody gets anything from the house of the rich man by standing at the gate or on the streets. You have to be inside the house to negotiate and possibly chose from the best. That is what Senator Ubah has done with his defection, many might not believe, but only time will tell.
What Anambra deserves now is a proactive personality with the interest of the people at heart and Senator Ubah fits into that perspective. We can only support him to do better,by commending his efforts and not through disparaging it, because of political gain and sentiments. He remains the only onye Anambra that has consistently invested in the people and he is not stopping, as his new platform will give him the needed advantage to do more. The coming weeks in Anambra political scene will be interesting, and the people will come to see reason why he remains the best, and the politician to beat anytime any day.