SOMETIMES, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE AN OUK

There are moments in life when a man simply has to put himself first. Experience repeatedly proves that not everyone is capable of appreciating kindness, loyalty, or good intentions. The deceit, the letdowns, and the betrayals people face often push them into prioritizing self-preservation. When those you trust break the very bond you worked hard to sustain, you eventually understand that thinking of yourself isn’t selfishness — it’s survival.

This is why I cannot fault Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for choosing to nominate his daughter as an ambassador — and here are the reasons.

OUK was Abia State’s first governor, and whether one admits it or not, the reality is that about 90% of today’s successful Abia politicians emerged from his political foundation. He groomed many, empowered many, and established a structure that produced numerous leaders. Yet in the end, what he received in return was betrayal. Nearly everyone he supported walked away from him.

During his Senate contest, the same political network he built worked against him. The level of political sabotage he experienced contributed significantly to his defeat. It took God’s grace, perseverance, and time before he found his footing again and reclaimed the Senate seat.

A man who has endured such deep betrayal never forgets it. It reshapes how he trusts, how he relates, and how he builds his circle. So if today OUK decides to surround himself only with people he is sure will remain loyal — including his daughter — I cannot blame him. When loyalty becomes rare, you hold tightly to those whose allegiance is unquestionable.

In politics, trust is everything. After all he has faced, it is only expected that he shields himself and his legacy by putting forward individuals who won’t turn around to undermine him.