By

Michael Tidi

My former political opponent, and then later my political ally and boss, Hon. (Mrs.) Omawumi Beatrice Udoh is late.

I had initially broken down in tears until I ran into a top chieftain of the opposition party, who on finding out why I was beside myself with sorrow said to me: “Weep no more; rather start thanking God for her life for she did not die in vain but left a mark on the world she left behind and remember her for the footprints she left in the sands of time.”

So I gathered myself together, surprised that even such a staunch member of the opposition would recognise something good from my party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and decided to attempt to remember Omawumi Udoh for who she truly was as opposed to who her despicable detractors would have the world believe she was.

Yet how might I sufficiently remember this truly great and noble woman who proved herself as an able and worthy leader to her constituents and countless others far and near?

I remember her as the unjustly declared loser in an election she had clearly won and who in spite of intimidation from those who sought to discard her as a political has-been, was courageous enough to approach the election tribunal for redress and doggedly pursued her case to the appeal court where she finally received justice.

I remember her as the steadfast politician who called the bluff of the self-appointed demigods in her constituency by refusing to relinquish her mandate, preferring rather to ensure that the votes of her devoted constituents were not stolen by those whose stock-in-trade is to lord it over others without their permission.

I remember that as her party agent for the last elections, being the person detailed on behalf of the People’s Democratic Party, to collate both the gubernatorial result, as well as, that of the two state constituencies in Warri metropolis, I came out of the experience truly proud that I had aligned myself with a candidate of unquestionable political sagacity and grassroots appeal.

I remember her as the woman of sterling humility and undiluted determination who despite the fact of the mindset about elections in our clime that makes the prosecution of petitions at election tribunal rather unappealing, still braved the odds to stand to be counted on the side of the supremacy of the electorate.

I remember her as the true woman of the people, who in the wake of the erroneous declaration of the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) as winner, remained persistent and consistent enough to see her political struggle through to victory for her constituents.

I remember her as the legislator per excellence, justly entitled to be proud of her enviable achievements as a member of the House, who sponsored an impressive array of landmark bills including the Delta State Waste Management Bill, Delta State Ecology Bill, Delta State Sickle Cell Bill, Delta State Micro-Finance Bill as well as Delta State Estate Regulatory Authority Bill.

I remember her as the kindhearted and listening legislator whose productivity in the area of legislative representation remains just as undoubtedly astounding as it remains manifestly creative.

I remember her as the grassroots oriented and unwaveringly dedicated legislator whose commitment to the welfare of the masses was as palpable as it was visible for all to see.

I remember her as the iconic public servant who consistently remained an admirable admixture of beauty and brains in service to the public good.

I remember her as the proud Itsekiri yet truly detribalized cosmopolitan Warri woman who in spite of all the infernal intimidation visited on her, nevertheless inspired me to stand to be counted on her side, for which reason I remain ever proud that she was vindicated as a true democrat as opposed to her adversaries who can safely be described as desperate politicians to be associated with violence in their despicable bid to claim power