EMEKA UGWUONYE AS HE HAS BEEN

We must remember our leader, the Founder of DPA. He is not with us physically now. He may not even be aware of what we say or write about him here. But we must admit it; his thoughts and beliefs gave rise to a movement like none else before in Nigeria. They gave rise to the due process movement.

What Emeka Ugwuonye did was simply to use the force of his personality and intellect to put meaning and action to words. In our country, words like justice, equity and fairness were just empty slogans. The more these words were bandied, the more people died in pain and suffering and poverty and injustice. Through DPA, Emeka tried to make sure that those words were no more empty phrases. He tried to end injustice.

For his ideas, he has paid high price. He was mocked and reviled by some of those he helped. He was hated by some who had once declared him Godfather to their children and who ate from his hands. An entire enemy force was created and populated by the same disenfranchised people he fought for. For the first time, the poor destitutes, the same class of women arrested in street corners by the police at night and accused of being prostitutes were seen cheering the police, as they led Emeka away on prisoners chain.

But, nothing is stronger than an idea whose time had come. Despite persecution from the likely and unlikely sources, thousands if not millions of people stood firm in their support and solidarity with him. Despite the humiliation and inconvenience, God gave him the extraordinary strength to smile and pity those who attack him. We are sure that he borrows from the Lord’s exemplary prayer: “Forgive them, father, for they know not what they are doing”.

Today, we pause to remember him. He is a man of steel. God designed him that way. In the picture below, you see him as he was just before he was arrested. He went into detention dressed in that shirt. Today in prison, he dresses in that same shirt and pair of glasses. And he adorns that same smile. He is indefatigable. He loves all of us, even those who have betrayed him.

We wish him well and we remember him as he was, which is how he still is – a man of steel, who has found a cause he is ready to die for. God bless you, DD.