The 2015 Presidential elections came with a shocker for many. PDP came to realize that so many who feigned loyalty to the party and president Goodluck Jonathan were actually not true to their creeds. But among many stood a man of his words, who stood by the president to the very end. That man is Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the national coordinator of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN). He single handedly pulled his resources to campaign for the president via TAN. If Nigerians know any achievements of President Jonathan today it is because Ifeanyi Ubah via TAN publicized them. He converted his multi-million naira property in Abuja into an office, employed professionals to champion the campaign activities of the President. Irrespective of his wealth and status, he worked with his team 24/7 to see that the president was re elected. The TAN Abuja office became the centre of the president’s campaign with rallies, TV ads, Social Media campaigns organized and funded by TAN on daily basis. What many may not know is the fact that Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah was the sole financier of TAN without any support from the president. President Goodluck Jonathan made this known himself during his address on the launch of the PDP Volunteer Scheme at the state house Abuja on the 14th of March, 2015.
Recently it was reported that Dr. Ubah wept at the presentation of the PDP report to the president in Abuja on the 30th of April, 2015 and i say it should be expected of a man who gave his all to support a cause. A cause many received funds but did nothing to support it, a cause many feigned loyalty but sold out behind. Any faithful soldier will weep after losing a war. Dr. Ubah’s tears is a sincere reaction of a gallant and true soldier. And don’t be surprised that others cannot be that emotional because there is no need to be after they sold out. Dr. Ubah stood by Jonathan for good and the president should know that if he had any true friend during this election, it was Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
Only those who lack the gallantry of Dr. Ubah will misconstrue his emotional breakdown as a regret over his lost or future lost. This is a man who lost in the guber election in Anambra state to PDP and within a year rose to the top cadre of the same party. At a time, he became so indispensable so much that party members would do anything to retain him on their ranks. Dr. Ubah is an avid mobilizer and grass root personae. His political wits cannot be underestimated. He is a lion and a man of many weights. Tears indeed in this regard is a show of strength and sincerity. General Buhari cried in 2011 when he lost to Jonathan, today he is president elect.
Onje Emmanuel Jude writes from Enugu, Nigeria
