Between Ego and Legacy: How Ezeudo Uche Nworah is Rewriting the Rules of Political Engagement in Anambra

 

Amid growing political fault lines within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), one voice has emerged with a message not of attack, but of healing. Dr. Uche Nworah, popularly known by his revered title Ezeudo, has become a rare symbol of restraint, decorum, and respect in Anambra State's increasingly polarized political discourse.

The recent friction sparked by remarks made by APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, has reignited debates over performance metrics between the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo and his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano. During a live appearance on Channels Television, Ezeokenwa stated that Soludo had constructed close to 1,000 kilometers of roads within three years — a not-so-subtle jab at Obiano’s record of around 100 kilometers over eight years. The comparative tone of the statement — whether intended or not — drew battle lines within the party, setting off an undercurrent of discontent.

Dr. Uche Nworah, a media professional and former Managing Director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, opted to break his silence. Through a thoughtful Facebook post titled "Biko Nu, Let Akpokuodike Be," he not only condemned the divisive remarks but charted a new direction for intra-party dialogue — one rooted in historical memory, gratitude, and cultural decorum.

"Governance," he wrote, "is incremental." With these words, he reframed the conversation entirely. Nworah reminded political commentators and party leaders that administration is not a zero-sum game of winners and losers, but a relay race of collective effort. Citing the Igbo proverb "Oburo onye li zia ogwe osi ogwe gbajie," he cautioned against the urge to ridicule those who paved the way.

Many political observers were quick to note the weight of his intervention. Unlike outsiders looking in, Nworah has operated at the heart of the state’s political machinery. His tenure as ABS CEO under the Obiano administration offered him a front-row seat to the trials and triumphs of governing Anambra. He witnessed first-hand the high-wire balancing act that APGA had to maintain, particularly during the volatile buildup to Soludo’s candidacy.

Critics and supporters alike have interpreted Nworah’s post as more than a defense of Obiano. It was a broader call to APGA’s leadership: that internal cohesion must trump political chest-thumping. The timing of his message, just months ahead of the November 2025 gubernatorial elections, further amplifies its significance.

While some within APGA might view Ezeokenwa’s comment as a necessary push to elevate Soludo’s record, others see it as reckless, especially given the party’s fragile internal alignment. Nworah, rather than inflaming the situation, sought to mediate, calling for a return to the values that originally held the APGA movement together: unity, progress, and collective pride.

At a time when political commentary often descends into mudslinging, his tone stood out. Calm, deliberate, and steeped in cultural nuance, Nworah’s message avoided personal attacks. Instead, he focused on the bigger picture — one that values loyalty to shared goals over self-serving applause.

Political analysts have praised his intervention as statesmanlike. By invoking the moral weight of his traditional title, Ezeudo — meaning “King of Peace” — Nworah transformed a digital post into a rallying cry for political maturity. He reminded the party that Obiano was instrumental in Ezeokenwa’s rise to national prominence within APGA and also played a crucial role in Soludo’s eventual emergence as governor. Turning on such a legacy, Nworah warned, not only smacks of ingratitude but threatens the ideological stability of the party.

Several political insiders within Anambra say the tension between the old guard and the current leadership has been simmering for months. The outburst by Ezeokenwa merely brought it to the surface. What makes Nworah’s intervention even more compelling is that he chose to de-escalate the conflict, using history and context to humanize rather than demonize.

Party unity, Nworah implied, is not just a tactical necessity — it is a moral imperative. His message urged Soludo’s allies to resist the temptation to consolidate power through contrast politics. He argued that building bridges with predecessors is not a sign of weakness, but of continuity and strategic foresight.

“Political leadership,” he wrote, “should not be a competition to outshine predecessors but a collective mission to serve the people better with each passing administration.” That single line captured the essence of his position — and struck a nerve with many both within and outside APGA.

There’s a larger narrative at play here. Across Nigeria, politics often follows a predictable script: former allies become foes, and gratitude is sacrificed on the altar of ambition. What Nworah has done is flip that script. His commentary challenged not just the language of comparison but the culture of political cannibalism that eats away at party strength from within.

Cultural observers also took note of his use of proverbs and traditional wisdom in his appeal. It wasn't merely rhetoric; it was an intentional strategy to ground his argument in Igbo cosmology — a place where elders are revered, titles are earned through service, and leadership is about moral clarity, not just political savvy.

Younger members of the APGA movement, many of whom look to social media for guidance, were reminded through Nworah’s post of the principles that built the party in the first place. Obiano, like Peter Obi before him, is a chapter in the APGA story that cannot be erased without distorting the entire narrative.

Sources close to Dr. Nworah say he has no interest in launching a political comeback or seeking favor from any faction. For him, the issue is simple: truth must not be sacrificed for convenience. Those who benefited from the system must not undermine its architects. Respecting legacy, he believes, is not nostalgia — it is strategic wisdom.

What emerges from all of this is a portrait of a man unwilling to stand by while political decorum is trampled. His role may not be legislative or executive, but it is influential — perhaps more so. The words of a cultural custodian often carry more weight than decrees from high office.

As the November elections draw near, APGA must confront hard questions about unity, direction, and public messaging. Ezeudo Uche Nworah has made it clear where he stands: on the side of reason, reconciliation, and responsible leadership.

Political watchers say his calm tone has already had a ripple effect, toning down some of the more aggressive rhetoric coming from party communicators. Whether this is temporary or marks a turning point in the discourse remains to be seen.

Regardless of how events unfold, one thing is certain — Anambra’s political conversation has gained a new standard-bearer for civility and continuity. Through measured wisdom and cultural insight, Dr. Uche Nworah is setting an example that other political actors would do well to follow.



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