“A good name is better than gold and silver.” – Proverbs 22:1
In the complex and often mischievous terrain of Nigerian politics, few virtues endure as strongly as patience, humility, loyalty, and consistent service. These qualities rarely make loud headlines, yet they define the difference between those who merely occupy office and those who truly serve. Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu belongs firmly in the latter category.
For some years, his public life has been marked by quiet diligence rather than drama, steady service rather than spectacle, and loyalty rather than opportunism. In a political culture where survival often depends on noise and confrontation, Ude Oko Chukwu’s calm disposition stands out as both rare and instructive.
Service Before Power:
Ude Oko Chukwu’s political journey did not begin with ambition for the highest office; it began with a desire for service and an urge to contribute to uplifting his people from abject downtroddenness into some form of relief. This was his primary drive into politics, which led to his decision to run for the House of Assembly.
Elected three times to represent Ohafia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly (2003–2015), he earned the trust of his people through consistency and accessibility. His colleagues later entrusted him with the position of Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly (2011–2015), a role that demanded patience, balance, and the ability to manage diverse political interests.
These years defined him as a bridge-builder, a listener, and a stabilizing force, attributes that later shaped his tenure as Deputy Governor of Abia State (2015–2023).
Loyalty Without Overreach:
It is important to state clearly that Ude Oko Chukwu served as part of successive PDP administrations in Abia State, and throughout that period, he remained committed and loyal to service. However, service within an ecosystem does not automatically translate to control of its direction.
As Deputy Governor, he played a supporting role, contributing, advising, and executing responsibilities within the limits of his office. He was never found wanting in service or loyalty, nor was he ever found overreaching himself in an attempt to undermine those in whose hands final authority rested. He restricted himself to his constitutional roles, avoided unnecessary shoulder-rubbing, and remained unwavering in his respect for authority and his commitment to institutional stability.
A Reputation Untouched by Scandal:
Perhaps the most striking part of Ude Oko Chukwu’s public record is not what is written, but what is absent. In a political and public service environment where scandals of all sorts seem to be the order of the day, a careful review of public records and law enforcement actions reveals no case of scandal attached to his name.
This is not a small achievement for someone who spent nearly 20 years in high-level public office. That is why it has been both herculean and futile for those who, out of sheer jealousy and orchestrated politics, have tried to paint his service differently. The facts and realities remain more obvious than any attempt to castigate them. It speaks to discipline, personal values, and an uncommon sense of responsibility.
Choosing Progress at the Right Time:
History also records that when progressive forces began to align to move Abia State forward, Ude Oko Chukwu was not left behind. At a defining moment, he made a deliberate choice to stand with the movement that promised a new direction for the state.
This choice aligned with his belief that as long as politics is about service to humanity, refusing to support effective service delivery is selfish and should be questioned. His official move to the Labour Party reflected this conviction. It was not an act of convenience, but of principle, a decision to support a vision he believed in.
This was publicly acknowledged by Governor Alex C. Otti, who confirmed that Ude Oko Chukwu joined the progressive fold to ensure that the dream of a new Abia became a living reality.
In that moment, his long years of experience, patience, and institutional knowledge were redirected toward building, not lamenting; toward the future, not the past.
A Legacy of Quiet Honour:
Ude Oko Chukwu’s story is not one of noise or “busy body” politics, but of endurance. Not of power, but of service. Not of scandal, but of steadfast character.
In a time when many are rewriting their pasts to escape blame or chase relevance, his record remains consistent, measured, and unblemished. And in the final accounting of public life, that may be his greatest strength.
Indeed, a good name, patiently built and humbly kept, remains better than gold and silver.
– Professor Philip Udeh
