It was Harry Truman who once said that if you want a friend in the political circle, it’s better to get a dog.
I am sure if he had met Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila like I did, his quote may never have made the headlines.
My sojourn to the National Assembly at the House of Representatives, to be specific, wasn’t entirely mapped out as to what path I would follow or what friendship I would make.
At the time I was elected to represent my people of Nkwerre/Isu/Nwangele/Njaba federal constituency, there was already a political blood bath for Rescue Missionaries like myself, so even though we won the elections, there was still a lot to win—political ground and court cases for myself especially.
Things were so bad that help seemed not to be coming from anywhere, but this man whose acquitance I had recently made, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, was there for me and introduced me to people who have been of great help to me ever since.
It is still fresh how I almost got dribbled out of being sworn in as a member of the House in 2019, but Hon. Gbjabiamila, in his first duty as Speaker, once he was sworn in, barraged the clerk for omitting my name and went ahead to swear me in.
It was as if I had won the World Cup; you know that feeling.
I was so emotional the moment I put my name on the attendance list because it would have been horrible knowing that the hundreds of people who came from the constituency to witness my swearing in would have come in vain.
Rt. Hon. Femi wasn’t done coming to my rescue as my political travails continued after the 2023 elections, where it took the Independent National Electoral Commission 63 days to declare me winner of an election I clearly won.
Mr. Speaker was at the forefront of ensuring the voice of the people of NINN was heard; he would say to me, “OZB, don’t worry, you will get this thing.” Those words always gave me a renewed spirit to keep fighting on days I felt alone and defeated.
I vividly recall working to install Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker, and that first encounter with him exposed a wonderful man, focused, assertive, and with a conviction technique that was built on truth and reality.
These were the attributes that endeared me to this figure, and till date I have not had a reason to have second thoughts.
For a lawmaker who has spent 20 years representing the great and dynamic people of Surulere, there was more than enough to learn from him and his legislative ability, and I did not wait a second to hold onto his loins.
Surulere today remains a constituency to admire if you consider the level of infrastructure he has attracted, and I am certainly sure his constituents will miss him.
To the surprise of many, Femi made me Chairman of the House Committee on Justice. I was confused at the time, and he told me to take it and trust I would do a good job there, which is exactly what I did, and I am sure Ministries, Departments, and Agencies under my purview will testify.
I am also grateful to him for never turning down my community project advances, which he always approved without thinking twice, even when he had to displease himself.
I would boastfully say that my relationship with Gbajabiamila has been filled with beautiful memories and has been an advantageous learning curve for me.
I would have loved to enjoy another term with you at the green chambers, but I would not deny Nigerians the right to enjoy it like I have done in your new position as Chief of Staff to the President.
I can already see your tact bearing down on the subsidy removal negotiations, and I can only ask that God keep you in good health so that your ingenuity will serve the nation.
I am grateful, sir, for all the help you have rendered me these few years my dear friend, and I remain indebted to you now and forever.
May God be your guide as you step into your new position.
Rt Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo OzB
Chairman Justice.