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| Andy (L) and Chris Uba |
(By Comfort Obi) - Anambra: The Tragedy Of Uba
Brothers
In Anambra state, the ego of a political
dynasty has just been punctured. Its members have self-destructed. And got
dismantled during a political battle comparable to that of the Biblical Goliath
and David.
You must have heard of
the three Uba brothers -Ugochukwu, Andy and Chris – from Anambra state.
Ugochukwu is the eldest, and Chris, the last. Of the same parents, the brothers
are politicians, and, each accomplished in his own right. They have
name recognition. They are very rich. Two
of them, Andy and Chris, are billionaires. They have limitless contacts, and
powerful friends.
The first son of the
family, Ugochukwu, has a doctorate degree. He did not buy it. He read, and acquired
it. So, he is not one of those many illiterates, or half illiterates, who
shamelessly prefix their names with Dr.
When in 1999, Nigeria
embraced democracy again, Ugochukwu won a senatorial seat. So, in the Nigerian
way, he is free to answer Senator (Dr) Ugochukwu Uba. And, if any traditional
ruler conferred him with any of the many chieftaincy titles on offer in
Igboland, he is also free to answer Senator (Dr) Chief Ugochukwu Uba.
Nigerians, we love titles.
As a Senator, he was not
a bench-warmer. A number of Senators are. Their colleagues dc their jobs. Many
times, they are asleep in the Chambers. When awake, they are dumb. And only
chorus “Ayes” or “A/ays” depending on where the tide moves their colleagues.
But not Uba senior.
Unfortunately, his was
a-one-term tenure. As if the Uba brothers had appropriated that seat as their
father’s farmland, Andy vied for the same seat, under same party. He replaced
his brother. Many stories still abound as to why Andy did not allow his brother
a second tenure. But following is the most popular.
