By Charles Igbo
Former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, and his wife, Lady Ebere, an accomplished Public Servant, are celebrating their 27 years of marriage, Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The couple, through thick and thin, stuck to each other like a second skin.
Lady Ebere, described by many as a very prayerful woman, has been very supportive, in everyway, especially, with prayers, of her husband in his checkered political life.
Many people remember a strong Lady Ebere, who from Imo, rushed to her husband’s side in Abuja, the minute, on that fateful day in January 2020, when the Supreme Court removed him as the Governor of Imo State in favour of the now incumbent Senator Hope Uzodinma. Her photograph as she walked down to board an aircraft at Imo Airport, her thoughts focused on her husband, instead of the office they just lost, was iconic.
Ihedioha’s political career peaked when he became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, later the Acting Speaker, and its antenna raised more than ever when he was elected the Governor of Imo State in 2019. That election was voided by the Supreme Court, seven months after he was sworn-in as Governor of the State.
It did not wane his interest in politics, as Ihedioha stuck to his Party, the PDP, and became both its face and engine room in Imo State, building it up for the 2023 Governorship election.
But in a surprise move, because of political bitterness and intrigues which engulfed the Party in the State, Ihedioha withdrew from the Governorship race. His withdrawal which made it easy for the National Secretary of the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu to pick the ticket, factionalised the Party and contributed to its very woeful performance in the 2023 Governorship election.
Until he withdrew from the race, not a few people had taken it for granted that the Party would give him the ticket, unopposed, as compensation for his 2020 travails and loss. That did not happy to the surprise of many.
The Party never quite recovered from Ihedioha’s withdrawal from the race.
Last week, after much pressure from loyalists angry over what they saw as the shabby treatment given to him by, and in, the PDP, Ihedioha resigned from the Party which member he had been since 1999. His resignation triggered an unprecedented mass resignation from a political party in the history of Nigerian Politics.
A congratulatory message signed by Prince Ebube Mbah, Director General, Ihedioha New Media Centre, to the Ihediohas on their 27th wedding anniversary, the Centre reads:
“Your Excellencies,
“On behalf of the entire members of Ihedioha New Media Center, I extend our warmest congratulations to you both on reaching this significant milestone in your journey together – your 27th wedding anniversary!
“Your love and dedication to each other over the years serve as an inspiration to us all. Your bond exemplifies the true meaning of partnership and companionship, and we are honored to celebrate this special day with you.
“May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing year, and may the years ahead be filled with joy, laughter, and countless cherished moments together.
“Congratulations once again, and here’s to many more years of love and happiness!”
Ihedioha is a Knight of St. Christopher, Anglican Church and his wife, a Lady of the Knight of St Christopher.
