By Dr Usani Joseph Ofem
For over two months, the political atmosphere in Cross River Central has remained tense and polarized, largely due to orchestrated image-smearing campaigns targeted at Honorable Oden Ewa, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations. A man whose political antenna is towering to the heavens. Those behind these attacks; often individuals threatened by his growing political relevance, have continued to weaponize misinformation to diminish a man whose track record speaks eloquently for itself. Yet, it must be said: those who are comfortable with mediocrity inevitably see merit as a threat.
Since 2019, through the Oden Ewa Foundation, he has redefined what it means to serve humanity with integrity and purpose. His humanitarian footprint spans healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social inclusion. His efforts have restored dignity to the poor, rekindled hope among students, and elevated communities long forgotten by successive interventions. Nobody knows all of these because he was not in the public making noise about them. Most of these antagonists are beneficiaries of this magnanimity and evidence abound. They have eaten almost to break the pot, and one confessed how the first dollar he has ever touched in 2020, during the COVID era, came from Hon. Oden Ewa.
But then, we must ask: what exactly is Oden Ewa’s offence?
Is it wrong to help people?
Is it an offence for beneficiaries to testify to the assistance they have received?
Is it criminal to build bridges in areas long abandoned?
Is it wrong to gather indigent postgraduate students, support their education, and watch them become master’s and doctoral degree holders?
Is it wrong to pay the medical bills of those who have no one to speak for them?
Is it a crime to use personal funds to complete a community road that others would have abandoned after collecting public allocations?
Is it wrong to say, “Rather than arm youths with guns, let us empower 150 students of the Federal Polytechnic Ugep to secure their future?”
When a man supports the completion of Holy Cross Catholic Church, giving millions to preserve a spiritual sanctuary; how is that an offence?
When little children who excel at the foundational level are sponsored through tertiary education under his Foundation; should gratitude now be treated as guilt?
These are not crimes, they are acts of responsive leadership, social innovation, and developmental empathy. Most people have constructed it to be politics. If he has not done it and comes out to contest, they will have asked: Where was he? What has he done before? Now that he is here and extending hand of fellowship as assistance, it has turned to sudden philanthropism. Yet, these same persons have never bought bread for anybody but are trying to underrate the kindness of another because it is antithetical to their dreams. Those who attack him only reveal their discomfort with excellence and their resentment of genuine transformation.
It is therefore not surprising that the people of Cross River Central have increasingly turned to Oden Ewa. His growing followership is not manufactured; it is earned through impact, accessibility, and a leadership philosophy rooted in service. Even individuals with broader political reach and capacity have found resonance in his style of governance.
Hon. Oden Ewa embodies a new paradigm of social engineering and political sophistication; one defined by humility, competence, and measurable results. Attempts to malign him only reinforce the contrast between performative politics and pragmatic leadership. He represents continuity, compassion, and courage; a blend of vision and execution rarely seen in contemporary politics. What Oden Ewa is doing flows from the natural composition of magnanimity, build internally and never a function of politics. One of the media aides of the man who is threatened by the rising profile of Oden Ewa, even wrote a piece asking : “who will advise Oden Ewa”? Responses were provided adequately and we are no longer where we used to be. I am sure, they are fully aware of this.
Indeed, Oden Ewa has not committed an offence. His only “Holy crime” is doing what others promised but never delivered; serving humanity with authenticity, foresight, and results. We are committed to a civil media activity, showcasing what we have done and what we will do more. However, we will not take any act of political incivility and immaturity. We will continue to engage and ask critical questions about our common wealth under the hands of our representatives. It is our rights to do so with all modesty.
Dr Usani Joseph Ofem
Dresser of sycamore truth.
