(– A timely Analysis on the Increasing spate of arrests and detention of Social Media Critics in Ikwo clan by Hon. Chinedu Ogah and It’s dangerous implications for political leadership and good governance)
By Comrade Solomon Nweke Onwe
Constituents of Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, particularly youths from the latter where the member representing the Constituency in Nigeria’s Green Chambers, Rt. Hon. ‘Comrade’ Chinedu Ogah hails from are going through very harrowing experiences in their attempts to express themselves and hold their brother and lawmaker to account in the social and mainstream media over what they claim are his ‘numerous atrocities’.
As I pen down this emotive opinion article, about 7 or more youths have been recently arrested, detained or remanded in various correctional centres across the country all on the orders and schemings of the lawmaker we gave our mandates to represent us in the National Assembly, Hon. Ogah. In the last count, a family member and brother to one of his critics, Chisom Achor who was arrested and detained in the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigerian Police Force, Enugu was also nabbed and detained alongside the young Tik-Toker who had recently posted viral videos that made criminal allegations against the lawmaker. His only crime was that he routinely took food to deliver to his illegally detained younger brother. As I write, the duo has been charged to a Court without competent jurisdiction as customary with such matters and are now remanded in the Enugu Correctional centre.
From the lawmaker’s tiny Item Amagu-Ikwo community to the rest of the Local Government Area and beyond, tracking, arrests, illegal detentions and remanding of critics perpetually in prison appear to have become the core of Chinedu Ogah’s legislative mandate in the National Assembly. The youths, the elites and stakeholders alike are worried and afraid that these illegal actions and crude use of power to silence critics may become their only constituency project.
The arrest, detention and remand-for-speaking up fever has become so concerning that residents in and off social media spaces where it has been trending for months can literally cut through it with a knife. As a matter of fact, some are ironically suggesting that such a desperate clampdown on critics could be the actual reason Ogah, despite being a ranking member opted to become Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions.
With his position, many claim that it is now pretty easy for him to collude with corrupt security and prison officials to arrest, charge and illegally detain cum remand his critics across Nigerian prisons without trials and regard for the laws of the land. A good case they point out is the arrest of a journalist, Mr. Alefia who in September 2025 was trailed by police all the way to Lagos, arrested, transferred to Abuja, detained, charged and now curiously remanded in an Abuja Federal Correctional centre till January 2026. His crime was that he published an article on the activities of the lawmaker which he considered defamatory. Rather than approach any Court of competent jurisdiction, Ogah opted the use of his position to intimidate, arrest, detain, remand and silence the said publisher. With the alarming rate he arrests, transfers, detain and remand his critics, many have jokingly suggested that Hon. Ogah should attract and build a correctional centre in his Amagu village, perhaps as the only constituency project rather than spend public funds to arrest and transfer critics from one end of the country to the other.
Perhaps he should however be reminded that the essence of all his political struggles including the reclaiming of his 2019 mandate was to earn a legitimate mandate to become a leader, not a license to be an oppressor. And once a politician emerges victorious from the declaration of the ballot box, their role must transform. They are no longer just a partisan figure; they become a leader for all, including those who did not support them.
This transition from politician to statesman is defined by a core set of principles that separates mature governance from raw oppression.
A true leader, is dedicated to good governance, seeks to build and unite. Their focus can be contrasted directly with the methods of an oppressor:
- Instead of arrests, a leader prioritizes empowerment and human capital development without percuniary interest.
- Instead of grabbing lands, a leader builds houses for widows and helps the downtrodden within and beyond his immediate environment.
- Instead of violence, a leader actively embraces and promotes peace.
- Instead of factionalism, a leader seeks unity of purpose across the entire political sphere.
- Instead of perpetuating killings and maiming, a leader adopts reconciliation and forgiveness.
The central directive for any person in power should be: “Fight to be a leader and not to be an oppressor.”
In analysing implications of arresting critics in Ikwo Clan, it is useful to contrast this trend with established examples of reconciliatory leadership at the state level.
When former Governor, His Excellency Senator Dave Umahi, became governor, he exemplified this transition to leadership. He famously embraced those who had strongly opposed his candidacy. He reconciled with figures like his immediate predecessor, His Excellency, Chief Martin N. Elechi, Ochudo, and even appointed Celestine Nwali, a former opponent, as a Commissioner in his cabinet to mention but a few.
Similarly, His Excellency Governor Nwifuru fought a difficult political battle to come on board. Today, however, he is widely seen as a leader for all. He has not only worked to unite Ebonyi State with an inclusive government but has also shown an unanticipated, unifying leadership style within the Izzi clan. He is “carrying everybody along,” including those who “carried out unprintable plots” to stop his rise to power.
The most relevant example for this analysis is Governor Nwifuru’s approach to social media critics.
Instead of arresting Chika Nwoba Chika, he has tolerated his criticisms. This text notes that, even when “Chika wished him sickness, he refused to arrest him.”
This demonstrates a profound understanding of mature leadership. It suggests a perspective that gossip and criticism, while often harsh, can be “informative and guiding.” This tolerance of dissent stands in stark contrast to a policy of arrests, signaling political security and a focus on governance over personal grievance.
In conclusion therefore,
the alleged “increasing spate of arrests” in Ikwo Clan runs counter to the principles of good governance. The leadership examples set by successive governors of Ebonyi State—prioritizing reconciliation, inclusion, and a high tolerance for criticism—provide a clear blueprint for mature political conduct.
These examples reinforce the core idea: leadership is measured not by the power to silence critics, but by the strength to unite, empower, and forgive.
This is why many ask this probing question: Has Ogah transmuted from a Comrade in the politics of Ebonyi into a “Come-raid” who should be dreaded by his own people once he’s mentioned for the fear of being raided? I believe it’s high time Governor Nwifuru intervenes to ask Ogah to release all the Ikwo prisoners of conscience that he has dumped in the correctional centres!
_- A native of Ndiegu Amagu, Comrade Onwe wrote from Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State
