Revisiting The Billionaire’s Club: Ikpeazu Takes On The Role Of Zed After 20 Years -By Khaleb Ogbonna

The Billionaire’s Club was a noteworthy movie produced by Afam Okereke in 2003, captivating audiences with its portrayal of ostentatious wealth by Nollywood actors from eastern Nigeria. However, in a surprising twist, this article examines the life of one of Nigeria’s recent political figures, who, two decades after Afam’s film, has become a befitting antagonist. This individual has experienced defeat in his own country, on the international stage, within his religious community, and even among those he once nurtured politically. Despite his reputation for not holding grudges, he now finds himself begrudging the hand of fate that thrust him into a club he was ill-prepared for. Though he possesses abundant riches, he has become a character that no one would ever wish to emulate, unable to handle the vast fortune that destiny bestowed upon him.

The central character in this context is Zed Anyalogu, portrayed by Tony Umez. Umez, often dubbed Nollywood’s “simp-in-chief” by the millennial generation due to his recurring role as a husband always under his wife’s control, shares a striking parallel with the former governor of Abia state, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. Both Zed’s profession as a proprietor of a small roadside “chemist” and Ikpeazu’s modest upbringing in the field of academic Biochemistry serve as reminders of their humble beginnings. It is not unwarranted to liken Ikpeazu to Zed, as their narratives intertwine, illustrating the tragic existence of individuals consumed by an insatiable hunger for power, fame, and wealth.

In 2003, during the production of the movie, Dr. Ikpeazu served as the caretaker committee chairman of his native Obingwa local government area, appointed by the then-governor of Abia state, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu. Prior to his political career, Dr. Ikpeazu had an extensive background as a university lecturer, leading a quiet life characterised by modest means and a sense of contentment. However, more recently, the introduction of money and the dilemma of participating in electoral fraud, as imposed by INEC, disrupted this tranquillity.

Similarly, Zed’s roadside business flourished thanks to a generous grant from his wife, Victoria. However, his encounter with Dozie Anyalogu (portrayed by the legendary Kanayo O Kanayo), a university schoolmate who shares the same surname, proved to be a fateful turning point that forever tainted Zed’s soul.

In the case of Dr. Ikpeazu, the catalyst that altered his fortune was none other than the infamous Theodore Orji, a benefactor who eventually turned into a political adversary towards the end of Ikpeazu’s tenure. The two engaged in a war of words, debating whose administration was more disastrous. However, much like Dozie, Orji merely presented Ikpeazu with a choice: to continue in unabashed corruption and the embezzlement of public funds, or to embrace a grander legacy as a leader who could reshape the narrative of his people.

Similar to Ikpeazu’s unexpected rise to power based on the sentiment surrounding the now-extinct Abia Charter of Equity, which advocated for power to be transferred to the southern part of Abia, the Ukwa Ngwa axis, Dozie guided Zed to his initial encounter with Chief Damian Billion, the leader of the Billionaire’s Club, portrayed by Chief Pete Edochie. During their meeting, Chief Billion requested that Zed demonstrate his commitment to the venture by bringing his newborn baby as a symbol of equity.

It is his final day in office, the incessant phone calls must have dwindled, as Dr. Reuben Abati informed us a few years ago in his article titled The Phones No Longer Ring. The journey that began with hope for many who identified with him, fraught with numerous legal battles and a series of ‘jankara’ court injunctions challenging his controversial electoral victory, has culminated in his membership in the Billionaire’s Club. It should be noted that Ikpeazu’s opulent mansion in his hometown of Umuobiakwa in Obingwa, at the very least, establishes him as a billionaire by net worth. Nevertheless, it is undeniably true that Abia has become a prominent member of the Billionaire’s Club primarily due to its significant debt burden.

According to a 2015 report by the financial accountability group Statisense, Ikpeazu inherited a domestic debt burden of 33 billion naira and an external debt of 41 million dollars, totaling 40.5 billion naira when converted. As he leaves office, he leaves behind a staggering domestic debt profile of 103.7 billion naira and a foreign debt profile of 94.3 million dollars, amounting to a total of 146 billion naira in debt. This represents an alarming growth of 206% and 127% in the domestic and foreign debt profiles of the state, respectively. In essence, Ikpeazu has taken Abia along with him as collateral to enter the Billionaires Club. However, while he enjoys the privileges of being a billionaire, revelling in expensive wine, Abia remains a helpless beneficiary burdened with the debts resulting from this lavish lifestyle, effectively becoming a billionaire in debt.

For the past eight years, it has been evident that Ikpeazu’s missteps would eventually lead to dire consequences. His life story, which should have been one of a boy born into a humble background, fortunate enough to receive quality education, and blessed with the opportunity to attain a prestigious doctorate degree at the young age of 30, has been marred by his inclusion in the Billionaires Club. In recent times, he has been led astray by the notorious former governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike. As a result, he has lost the respect and support of his once loyal political and community allies, particularly his foot soldiers who fervently believed that only a man from Aba could fix the misgoverned city of Aba, renowned for its immense talent but unfortunate mismanagement.

Now, much like Zed, whose downfall came as a result of being haunted by his estranged wife Victoria, whom he had to leave behind in his pursuit of wealth, Okezie has to contend with his own conscience, personified by his middle name Victor. This inner voice may serve as a constant reminder that he entered the Billionaires Club but squandered the opportunity to establish himself as a true leader in the hearts of the people of Abia.

Khaleb Ogbonna is a media executive who can be reached at Khalebpowers@gmail.com.