Before Rewriting History, Remember Who Helped You Rise – Otunba Chimag

Before Rewriting History, Remember Who Helped You Rise

By:

Otunba Chimag

Where was Obi Aguocha when the seat of governance in Abia State was situated at Igbere, where peeling egusi was made a criterion for governance?

Where was his voice then? Certainly, he was never in the picture of anything close to governance in Abia during those defining moments. Let history be kind to him and educate him on the need to stick to facts instead of convenient narratives.

Public office demands accountability, but it also demands fairness, consistency, and historical accuracy. Those who choose to speak on the political evolution of Abia should do so with respect for the facts, not with selective recollections that suit present-day interests. In politics, memory is important, and history has a way of exposing every omission and every exaggeration.

Rather than engaging in unnecessary rhetoric, let his work be his testimony and not noise. Every elected representative has an opportunity to leave behind a legacy through service, constituency projects, legislative contributions, and responsible leadership. That is what the people remember in the end. Speeches may dominate the headlines for a day, but meaningful service endures far longer than political soundbites. If there are achievements to point to, let them speak for themselves. If there are promises made, let them be fulfilled. That is the language citizens understand best, and that is how lasting political credibility is built.

It is also worth remembering that politics is full of relationships, sacrifices, and moments when people extend support to others without expecting anything in return.

When Obi Aguocha was greatly supported by this same Orji family, whom he now appears to speak against the most, many people witnessed that support firsthand. Their role in helping him become President General of Ọhụhụ was not hidden from those who followed those events. It is difficult to ignore such history while attempting to rewrite the narrative today. Political disagreements may arise, and alliances may change, but facts remain facts regardless of the passage of time.

Even in the election and electioneering process, many believed and knew he was the least qualified candidate when compared with the array of respected leaders of thought who were available. People like Dae Jonny Nwankwo, among others, were widely regarded as possessing stronger credentials, greater experience, and broader acceptance. Yet, for the sake of unity and consensus, they were persuaded to step aside and allow him to emerge. Such sacrifices were made by people who believed that collective interest should come before personal ambition, despite having candidates they considered far more qualified.

Those sacrifices are not easily forgotten by those who witnessed them, because they reflected a rare willingness to put peace, unity, and the future of Ọhụhụ above individual aspirations, creating an opportunity that might otherwise not have existed. It is therefore difficult to reconcile that history with the posture he now takes toward the very people who played a significant role in creating that opportunity.

That is why gratitude should never become a casualty of politics. One may disagree with yesterday’s allies without erasing the role they played in yesterday’s victories. Respecting those who once stood by you does not diminish your present convictions. Instead, it reflects maturity, character, and an appreciation for the journey that brought you to where you are today.

Political competition should never become an excuse to dismiss those who contributed significantly to one’s rise. History records both the beneficiaries of goodwill and the people who extended that goodwill, and neither side should be ignored.

In the end, gratitude remains a virtue, and history has consistently shown that people who forget those who helped them often struggle to earn lasting respect. Leadership is measured not only by what one says, but by how one remembers the hands that lifted them when others doubted them. If Obi Aguocha wishes to shape public opinion, he should do so with facts, humility, and respect for history.

Let his work speak louder than his words, let truth prevail over political convenience, and let history continue to remind every public office holder that integrity, gratitude, and service are the foundations upon which enduring legacies are built.