A discernible feature of Igbo politics in this dispensation is that it lacks the sophistication for which it was known. And the major reason is the embrace of the weird thinking that to succeed in politics, you needed to be a street fighter. Understandably, this theory has been employed to make up for the inadequacies of some of those who emerged on the political landscape after the 1999 general election. But it is a contention that has no backing from the history of politics in the South East. For example, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late sage who led Nigeria’s liberation struggle, had no antecedence as a street fighter.

But it is common knowledge that Zik came into Nigerian politics as an accomplished intellectual, having established himself as a journalist of international repute while practising the trade in the then Gold Coast, later known as Ghana.

Upon his return to Nigeria in 1993, Zik took journalism in Nigeria to a more professional level, higher from its rudimentary stage .

Almost simultaneously, he delved into politics. And against the background of the glamour and erudition of journalism, Zik went into politics from a highly sophisticated pedestal, with his series of public lectures that brought a refreshing dimension to political discourse at that period. In one of his autobiographies another sage of blessed memory,Chief Obafemi Awolowo, revealed that he got his greatest impetus for politics through listening to the revolutionary speeches of Zik.

Of course, it was not only Zik as an Igbo who brought intellectualism into politics. So did the late Francis Akanu Ibiam, who after training as a medical doctor in Scotland , returned to offer purely voluntary services to his people. The same could be said of the late Dr. Michael Okpara. Later we had people like Dr Alex Ekwueme in the second Republic and Dr.Chukwuemeka Ezeife, among others. During this period, politicians were more concerned about the people. Their major interests were always based on how to bring even development to the people they were leading. They were leaders indeed and not rulers.

On the other hand, the people within the period under review were more committed to service. Social ethics and norms were totally observed and respected. Government gestures were appreciated, most importantly through proper utilization and maintenance of public properties. There were no cases of oil pipe vandalisation, littering of gutters, abuse of traffic rules and rest of other ills that pervade the society today.

Cases of embezzlement of public fund were rarely, (if not totally absent. And that was the period) in which the leaders earlier mentioned played politics with intellectualism, which they also imparted to the ordinary person.

A look at the biography of Chief Martin Elechi has left no doubt that he fits into this category of intellectual politicians. Apart from his academic excellence, Chief Elechi’s role in politics of the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi State is a pointer that he has distinguished himself among equals. His political history right from student stage to adulthood; including the various political positions he held from the then Eastern Region till date may help anybody who has penchant for men of history become one.

But unfortunately, it appears Elechi came on stage as the Ebonyi state governor at the wrong time. This is because the political circumstances have tended to make it difficult, if not impossible; for this man of history to re-enact the qualities of politicians of the good old days.

Inevitably, this man of great intellect has become a victim of the street fighter politicians. The characteristics of street fighter politician are selfishness, corruption, looting of government treasury, sharing of public funds among political gladiators and lies. nothing can better illustrate this than the virulent attitude being directed at him by a section of politicians in the state despite his very outstanding performance.

Another evidence is the barrage of criticism from politicians who feel that the governor has not yielded to their demands. Ask me their demands; it’s not far-fetched. They would have preferred the governor to abandon all his people oriented projects and shared the tax payers money to them. They forgot that government couldn’t be said to have attained true social justice unless it has maintained a preference for the poor.

Achike Udenwa, the former governor of Imo State noted during his valedictory interview with editors, that the problem of Nigeria is the elites. According to him, the masses are so easy to govern and easily contented; just give them good roads, portable water, stable electrically, hospitals, sound education and they can handle the rest and fend for themselves. But for the elites, he said, "until they get something specifically for their individual pockets, they would continue to fight you and claim that you are not performing". This is exactly the scenario in Ebonyi today. The whole noise is that Elechi is not sharing money to these few elites. But who says that the Ebonyi masses in both rural and urban areas are not enjoying the various social infrastructures being provided by the Elechi led administration.

Yes, Governor Elechi cannot isolate the small but "powerful" class of elites in the state but there has to be a way of striking a balance between their narrow interest and the aggregate interest of the Ebonyi citizenry, to be able to carry the down trodden masses along.

So, whoever perceives Elechi’s government as unproductive should immediately count himself as one of those who believe in the theory of street-fighter politics. Whatever the situation is, Ebonyi people should understand that what Elechi is doing in Ebonyi State is to break a chain of poverty and under development. And that is why it does not go down well with the archdeaconry of the status quo.

But as a man of Great Spirit, Governor Elechi should be vigil by the words of this great philosopher, Albert Einstein who once said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds"

Governor of Ebonyi state Martin Elechi / biography