As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum, narratives, counter-narratives, accusations, and political intrigues have become increasingly common across Enugu North Senatorial District. Amid the growing debate surrounding the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) senatorial primary and the future of Nsukka political leadership, former four-term Member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Patrick Asadu, has broken his silence to address what he describes as a sustained campaign of misinformation, blackmail, and deliberate attempts to tarnish his reputation and truncate his political aspirations.
In a detailed clarification titled "Setting the Record Straight," Dr. Asadu rejected several allegations levelled against him, insisting that many of the narratives being circulated against him are not only false but deliberately designed to weaken the Nsukka political bloc and prevent capable leaders from emerging on the national stage.
According to him, one of the most troubling aspects of the current political climate is the apparent resistance to the political growth of Nsukka leaders despite their competence and experience.
Drawing parallels with national politics, Dr. Asadu noted that many of Nigeria's most influential Senators first distinguished themselves in the House of Representatives before advancing to the Senate. He cited prominent lawmakers including former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, former Chief Whip Ali Ndume, current Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Solomon Adeola, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdul Ningi, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and several others who all served in the House of Representatives before becoming notable figures in the Senate.
According to him, the House of Representatives remains the primary breeding ground for effective senators, providing legislators with the experience, parliamentary knowledge, and national exposure required to excel in the upper chamber.
"The Senate is filled with former governors, former senators and former members of the House of Representatives. Ranking and experience matter in legislative work. Why then should Nsukka be discouraged from nurturing and promoting experienced leaders capable of competing effectively at the national level?" he questioned.
Dr. Asadu expressed concern that despite Nsukka's enormous contribution to Enugu State and its demographic strength, its people continue to face political marginalization.
He argued that the situation mirrors the treatment often meted out to Ndigbo in national politics, where numerical strength does not necessarily translate into equitable political opportunities.
Addressing allegations surrounding the burial of the late Senator Okey Ezea, Dr. Asadu described claims that he was absent or indifferent as completely false and malicious.
He disclosed that he not only attended both the wake keep and the burial ceremony but also made substantial financial contributions towards the burial arrangements.
According to him, he contributed N5 million to the burial fund and actively participated in the various activities leading to the final burial rites.
Providing details of his participation, Dr. Asadu explained that he attended the wake keep at Itchi on two separate occasions. On his first visit around 6 p.m., he was advised by Senator Ezea's orderly to return later because preparations were still ongoing.
He subsequently returned to the venue later that evening where he was welcomed by several leaders, including former House of Representatives member Hon. Charlie Ugwu and the serving APC Chairman in Igbo-Eze South.
He further stated that he personally greeted Mr. Peter Obi and members of his entourage, as well as prominent stakeholders including Ikeje Asogwa and Sunday Ajogwu before spending several hours at the event and later returning to Enugu.
At the burial ceremony itself, Dr. Asadu said he sat alongside distinguished personalities including Engr. Vita Abba, Dr. Dan Shere, Dr. Martin Oke, Chief Osmond Oke, Hon. Charlie Ugwu and several others throughout the programme until after the Bishop delivered what he described as a powerful and inspiring sermon.
He also revealed that despite the late senator's widow being physically weak, some Itchi community leaders who appreciated his presence and support personally brought her to greet him after Governor Peter Mbah had departed the event.
Dr. Asadu further noted that individuals such as Celestine Eze, popularly known as Cele Computer, can independently verify both his financial contributions and physical presence throughout the burial activities.
Beyond the burial controversy, Dr. Asadu strongly refuted allegations that he failed to support the NDC development levy.
According to him, he was not only among those who fulfilled the required financial obligations but was in fact the only senatorial aspirant from his constituency who paid the stipulated development contribution demanded by the coalition.
He disclosed that his payment was fully acknowledged and that he was officially cleared as Number Four on the screening list.
Similarly, he stated that Hon. Tony Ugwu equally paid the required party development support and was duly cleared for participation in the primaries.
Dr. Asadu expressed disappointment that despite fulfilling all requirements, efforts were allegedly made to create the impression that certain aspirants had been disqualified from the process.
He questioned why some individuals who made no contribution whatsoever were being projected ahead of others who complied fully with party directives and demonstrated long-standing commitment to party development.
The former lawmaker also addressed controversies surrounding the recommendations of the Prof. Akubue Committee.
According to him, he has been falsely accused of compiling and presenting a controversial list of candidates for the various elective positions.
He maintained that the allegations are entirely untrue.
Dr. Asadu explained that the committee's recommendations covered nine House of Assembly positions, three House of Representatives seats, and one Senate position.
However, he stressed that he neither prepared the list nor presented it to the state leadership.
He further clarified that he did not even nominate himself for the Senate position.
Rather, he only suggested the name of Hon. Tony Ugwu from the federal constituency he represented for sixteen years, based on popular opinion and prevailing political realities.
He emphasized that he made no recommendations whatsoever concerning Udenu/Igbo-Eze North, Uzo-Uwani/Igbo-Etiti, or even the House of Assembly positions within his own local government area of Igbo-Eze South.
According to him, the Prof. Akubue Committee was constituted with the approval of the state leader and operated independently before forwarding its recommendations.
He therefore described attempts to attribute the entire exercise to him as a calculated effort to destroy his reputation and weaken his political standing.
"I never read the list. I never presented any piece of paper to the state leader. Yet everything was pushed to Dr. Patrick Asadu as if I singularly prepared and imposed candidates. This is false and unjust," he stated.
Dr. Asadu equally rejected suggestions that religion played any role in his political challenges.
He pointed to his longstanding relationship with Godfrey Okoye University as evidence of his acceptance across religious and institutional divides.
According to him, he constructed the road leading into the university, a project that significantly improved access to the institution.
In recognition of his contributions, the university awarded him an Honorary Doctorate Degree and named a major building after him.
Despite these recognitions, he lamented that some individuals still seek to portray him as an outsider or political outcast.
The former federal lawmaker also challenged critics to compare his performance record with that of any former or serving federal legislator from Enugu North.
He noted that after four terms in the House of Representatives, he has publicly presented an extensive catalogue of constituency projects and interventions spanning education, healthcare, roads, water supply, rural electrification, youth empowerment, employment facilitation, security support, scholarships, international training programmes and community development initiatives.
He invited comparisons with the records of former Senator Fidelis Okoro, late Senator Ayogu Eze, former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Dr. Martins Oke and others who have represented the zone at various times.
According to him, his published achievements represent only a portion of his overall interventions, as additional projects and records are still being compiled
For Dr. Asadu, legislative experience remains an asset rather than a liability.
He maintained that the people benefit when experienced legislators continue to build seniority and influence within parliament.
Perhaps his strongest comments were directed at what he described as the systematic marginalization of Nsukka people within Enugu State.
According to him, despite constituting more than 56 percent of the state's population, Nsukka remains confined to a single senatorial district while the remaining population is divided between two senatorial zones.
He argued that such arrangements have significantly disadvantaged Nsukka politically.
Dr. Asadu further observed that since 1999, all ministerial appointments allocated to Enugu State have been shared between Enugu East and Enugu West, leaving Enugu North without representation.
He described this as an injustice that must be challenged if genuine equity and inclusion are to be achieved.
He lamented that many political leaders from Nsukka have often been selected by external interests rather than emerging through the collective will of the Nsukka people themselves.
According to him, the late Senator Okey Ezea was one of the few leaders who successfully broke that pattern.
Calling for political awakening among Nsukka people, Dr. Asadu urged citizens to rise above internal divisions, envy and what he described as a destructive "crab mentality."
He insisted that future generations deserve a legacy of freedom, dignity and political relevance rather than continued subservience.
"For the rest of my life, I believe that a lean freedom is better than a fat slavery. My father was not a slave and I do not intend to leave behind a generation of slaves," he declared.
Dr. Asadu concluded by reiterating his commitment to the struggle for fairness, equity and political inclusion for Nsukka people, insisting that his intervention is not driven by personal ambition alone but by a desire to secure a more equitable future for the region.
The fact that Dr. Patrick participated actively during IDEKE'S burial by contributing financially and by being personally present and his accusers are saying otherwise. This very point goes to question the credibility in all the Asadu hate publications.
By Kingsley Ekeuramah
