A Chieftain of opposition Action People’s Party(APP) in Imo state, Cajetan Duke has berated the state commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Bede Ekeh over his incessant attacks on the leader of the party, Chima Matthew Amadi, describing him as a disgrace to his constituents.
Duke’s reaction, followed recent attack on Amadi published on the front-page headline of ‘The Big Truth newspaper’, an Owerri based local Tabloid of Wednesday, June 24, 2026, entitled “Chima Amadi’s Incessant Attack on Uzodimma Misplaced, Misleading and a Sign of Political Confusion,” and credited to my big brother and friend, Hon. Bede Uchenna Ekeh.
Key highlights:
- APP chieftain Cajetan Duke criticized Commissioner Bede Ekeh.
- He accused Ekeh of attacking APP leader Chima Amadi.
- Duke described Ekeh as a “disgrace” to his constituents.
- He urged Ekeh to focus on development instead of politics.
- Duke cited poor roads and schools in Ngor Okpala.
- He called for better governance ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former APP’s Imo state Publicity Secretary, stated that ordinarily, such a publication wouldn’t have deserved a response from the camp of Chima Matthew Amadi, the Party’s Senatorial candidate for Imo East(Owerri zone) in the 2027 election, who has consistently demonstrated that his political engagement is driven by ideas, governance, and the aspirations of the people rather than by personal exchanges or media theatrics.
In a statement issued on Saturday and made available to Journalists in Owerri, the party scribe said his intervention was entirely personal response and should not be construed as speaking on behalf of Mazi Chima Amadi’s camp.
He reminded the commissioner that rather than directing his energy on Amadi, he would have devoted the same to drawing Governor Hope Uzodimma’s attention to the appalling state of infrastructure in Ngor Okpala local government Area of lmo state.
“There comes a point when silence ceases to be wisdom and begins to resemble acquiescence. That moment arrives when a brother appears determined to repeatedly embarrass not only himself but also the larger family before the public.
“Reflecting on our relationship, both within and outside politics, I am genuinely saddened that no one close to you has found it necessary to caution you against what increasingly appears to be a self-imposed journey towards political irrelevance.
“Frankly, I had expected that someone whose public service record has fallen far short of the enormous opportunities entrusted to him would exercise greater restraint. Public office should cultivate humility, introspection, and self-awareness.Those who have little to celebrate in terms of measurable achievements should ordinarily avoid inviting unnecessary scrutiny through provocative public engagements.
“I write, therefore, not because your comments have unsettled Mazi Chima Amadi or his supporters, but because every family deserves someone courageous enough to call a brother to order when he appears to have lost his sense of proportion.
“Our people wisely say that while a madman may not be ashamed of his nakedness, his family certainly is. It is in that spirit of brotherhood—not hostility—that I consider it necessary to respond to your unwarranted attacks against the only son of Ngor Okpala currently on the ballot for the 2027 Owerri Zone Senatorial election.
“What I find most perplexing is your apparent desperation to assume the role of chief defender of Governor Hope Uzodimma. If Mazi Chima Amadi has expressed opinions on governance in Imo State—as every citizen is constitutionally entitled to do—why should that provoke such relentless hostility from someone whose constitutional responsibility lies elsewhere? Given your office and your intellectual capacity, this needless expedition into media attack exposes your gross incompetence and poverty of thought.
“If there were indeed a need to defend the record of the Uzodimma’s administration, I can confidently say that the government is short of competent, experienced, articulate, and intellectually groomed and inclined individuals capable of doing so. With the greatest respect, my brother, you would hardly rank among the first names that readily come to mind. Public advocacy demands intellectual depth, credibility, performance, and moral authority.
“These qualities are earned through demonstrable service—not through incessant attacks on political opponents. More importantly, your assignment as Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development is to formulate policies, supervise projects, and improve urban infrastructure, not to function as the government’s unofficial spokesperson or political attack dog.
“Every hour spent attacking Amadi is an hour diverted from the enormous responsibilities entrusted into your ministry.Unfortunately, one cannot escape the impression that your repeated attacks on Amadi have less to do with defending government policies than with preserving your own political relevance. It increasingly appears that attacking Amadi has become a convenient strategy for attracting the governor’s attention and justifying your continued place in the State Executive Council. If that is not the case, then Ndi Imo—and particularly Ndi Ngor Okpala—deserve to see tangible accomplishments from your ministry rather than a steady stream of newspaper attacks.
“It would be unfortunate if, after serving as a legislator for 16 years and now as a commissioner, your public legacy is defined more by controversy than by contributions.Your political journey is already part of the public record. You served eight years in the Imo State House of Assembly.
“Thereafter, you represented our people in the House of Representatives under circumstances many still regard as one of the greatest political miscalculations made by The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
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“Today, you serve as Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development. Yet, from the legislature to the executive, your public career has struggled to inspire widespread confidence or produce transformational outcomes. That reality cannot be erased by newspaper headlines.
“Ironically, your current appointment offers perhaps your greatest opportunity to rewrite your political history. Across Ngor Okpala, there remains a widespread perception that your 16 years in the legislature did not produce the quality of representation our people deserved.
“Whether or not one agrees entirely with that assessment, it remains a political reality that cannot simply be wished away. Rather than reinforcing that perception through relentless attacks on Amadi, this should be your defining moment to build a legacy anchored on performance, visible development, and measurable impact.
“My brother, enough of reminding Ndi Ngor Okpala of what many regard as 16 unproductive years in legislative office. This is the season for thorough reflection—not political theatrics. In societies where appointments are earned and sustained on the strength of competence, measurable performance, and proven track records, results—not rhetoric—speak loudest. Rather than seeking validation through newspaper attacks on perceived opponents, devote yourself to delivering the kind of performance that will compel even your fiercest critics to acknowledge your contribution to governance.
“Sadly, beyond your recurring newspaper attacks on Amadi, many people across Ngor Okpala scarcely remember that you are currently a serving commissioner in the Government of Imo State.
“That should provoke serious introspection. A commissioner ought to be remembered for attracting development, influencing policy, delivering projects, and improving lives—not for constantly attacking a political opponent in newspaper columns.
“Take the Nguru–Umuneke Road, for instance. It has become a nightmare for commuters, farmers, traders, schoolchildren, and particularly your own people in Umuewere Nguru. During the rainy season, it is virtually impassable. If there is any cause deserving of your voice within government, surely this is one.
Equally heartbreaking is the deplorable condition of public primary schools in our community of Nguru Umuaro. Many have deteriorated to such an extent that teachers often dismiss pupils whenever rain begins to fall for fear that collapsing roofs may endanger innocent children.
“Convince the governor to reconstruct the Nguru–Umuneke Road. Fight for the rehabilitation of our schools. Attract meaningful housing and urban renewal projects to Ngor Okpala. Secure visible government presence in our communities. These are the achievements that build enduring political legacies—not endless newspaper attacks on Amadi.
“Ngor Okpala needs advocates, not applause merchants. Our people deserve development, not distractions. History will remember those who built roads where none existed, restored schools where roofs had collapsed, strengthened healthcare where the government had failed, and gave hope to neglected communities. It will not remember those who mistook political noise for public service.
