Wike made the pledge on Thursday, at the venue of the Nkpolu-Oroworokwo Flyover inauguration, in Port Harcourt.
“Each time you want to campaign in the state, let me know, all the logistics support, we will give to you”, Wike said, adding that the former Anambra State Governor, has all the characteristic to lead Nigeria.
The Rivers Governor, however said, unlike Obi, who left the PDP, he will remain in the party.
“I know the humiliation you suffered. Nobody will hear what you pass through and stay in the party but I will not leave. I will stay and fight.
“I won’t leave this house. I will never allow armed robbers to take over this house. I will stay and chase away armed robbers.
“So, thank God because if you have not left, you would not have realised your ambition to be able to save Nigeria”, Wike told Obi.
Obi left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in October 2014, and joined the PDP. He was the running mate to PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2019 general elections.
He, however, dumped the PDP in early 2022 and joined the LP where he clinched the party’s 2023 presidential ticket.
Mueez Akande, one of the long time associate of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, is dead. Akande was also the brother-in-law to Tinubu’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Akande was linked to drug trafficking business in the United States of America along with Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The deceased was 72 years. Akande was the husband of Lola Akande, a sister to Oluremi, and current Lagos State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, and Co-Operatives. The death of the septuagenarian was confirmed by the bereaved wife.
The death of the medical doctor, a close friend and confidant of Tinubu, brings to two, business and political associates of the APC national leader who have died in the last 48 hours.
Another friend, confidant, and Lagos lawmaker, Olayiwola Olawale, popularly called Omititi, who died in Jos, the plateau state capital during the APC presidential rally was laid to rest in Lagos yesterday, according to Islamic rites.
The death of Akande came at a time the certified true copy of settlement judgement ordering Tinubu to forfeit $460,000 drug money under the narcotic section of the US criminal code is generating controversy in the country.
The Certified True Copy of the court documents, which included the judgement delivered by Magistrate John Nordberg of a United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, was dated August 10, 2022, and signed by Thomas Bruton and Johnny Khuu, both Clerk and Deputy Clerk, respectively, of US District Court, Northern District of Illinois.The documents revealed how Tinubu and his associates were involved in the distribution of white heroin and money laundering between 1988 and 1992, when investigations closed in on them.
According to the documents Tinubu’s involvement in the shady deal was traced to the arrest of one Abiodun Agbele, who was nephew to one Adegboyega Mueez Akande, a major drug trafficker between the US and Nigeria.The document read in part, “Beginning as early as 1998, Adegboyega Mueez Akande, with others operated an organisation which distributed white heroin, a controlled substance under Title 21 of the United States Code.
“This distribution operation was conducted on a large scale and the proceeds of the operation substantial.”In a Verified Complaint for Forfeiture of funds in several accounts linked to Tinubu in First Heritage Bank and Citibank in the US, a United States Attorney, Michael Shepard, had narrated how Tinubu opened about 10 accounts in the name of Bola Tinubu and Compass Finance and Investment Limited in late December 1989 and January 1990, wherein he deposited funds far in excess of his earnings in Mobil Oil, where he was working at the time.
Some of the bank account numbers were 263226700 (First Heritage Bank), 39483134, 39483396, 4650279566 (Citibank N.A), and 52050 – 89451951, 52050 – 89451952 and 52050 – 89451953 (Citibank International) all in the US.Shepard noted that the funds in Tinubu’s accounts were suspected to represent proceeds of drugs or property involved in money laundering, hence the initiation of a warrant of seizure and monition was requested from the court.
In an affidavit deposed to in support of the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture by a Special Agent with US Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Kevin Moss, Tinubu was said to have contradicted himself during interrogation on his relationship with Agbele and Akande. While in one breath he admitted to receiving $100, 000 from Akande and used $80, 000 of the money to open the Heritage account, he had at another time denied having any financial relationship with Akande. He also denied having any other bank accounts in the US.
Based on the above, Moss said they had cause to believe “that the funds in the amount of $460,000 in account in the name of Bola Tinubu represents proceeds of narcotics or were involved in financial transactions in violation of 18 U.S.C ss 1956 and 1957 and therefore these funds are forfeited to the United States”.Shepard noted that although, “a less prima facie” case was established against Tinubu, the case was beyond mere suspicion, hence, a motion ex-parte application for order for seizure of the said funds was made by the US attorney on August 18, 1993, which was subsequently granted.“It is hereby ordered that the United States Marshall shall hereby have authority to execute the warrant of seizure and monition issued ….by serving the warrant on mail on Citibank and First Heritage Bank,” the documents read regarding the judgement.
Ever since he returned to Nigeria from the US, he had lived under the radar only associating with a handful of people.Akande, according to family sources had been ill for some time but it is not clear whether his alleged illness ultimately led to his demise. As of the time of this report, all efforts to confirm how he died from close family sources proved abortive.Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commiserated with the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. Lola Akande, on the death of her husband.Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, symphatised with Lola Akande over the demise of her lovely husband.
The governor also implored members of the Akande family, the deceased friends and associates to take the death of Kolapo Akande in good faith.Sanwo-Olu urged people to see Akande’s demise as the will of God and take solace in Him for a good life spent by the deceased during his lifetime and his contribution to humanity.
He said: “On behalf of my family, my cabinet, the Lagos State government, and the people of Lagos State, I commiserate with the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr. Lola Akande, on the death of his beloved husband, Dr. Kolapo Akande.“Dr. Akande lived a fulfilled life. He will be sorely missed by his family and loved ones. We sympathise with the Akande family, the wife, children and the entire extended families of the deceased.
“I pray for the repose of Dr. Kolapo Akande’s soul. God will grant him eternal rest and comfort the family, friends and associates he left behind.”
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has withdrawn a fundamental human rights violation suit filed against the federal government.
This was made known in a tweet on Thursday, by Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.
According to the tweet which read in part, “Federal high court case for November 18 is discontinued”, Ejimakor said the case was discontinued for strategic reasons that would be inappropriate and unprofessional to disclose publicly.
Kanu had through his lawyer, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1702/222, dated and filed on September 23, asked the court to declare the arrest and imprisonment of Kanu at a location in Kenya and the subsequent imprisonment in the aircraft that conveyed him from Kenya to Nigeria, amounted to false arrest and false imprisonment.
Other requests include, “A declaration of this honourable court that the defendants acted in bad faith and/or abused their public offices in falsely arresting and falsely imprisoning the plaintiff at the said location in Kenya and said aircraft;
An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to, jointly and severally, pay to the plaintiff the sum of N20,000,000,000.00 being general and exemplary damages;
“An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to separately write and deliver to the plaintiff an unreserved personal letter of apology.”
Listed in the suit are Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation and Ahmed Abubakar, director-general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as the first and second defendants, respectively.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had fixed November 18 for the hearing of the matter.
Former head coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has accused Amaju Pinnick, the former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, for being the reason why the team failed to pick a ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Rohr who was fired last December after leading the Super Eagles to the playoff round, was replaced with Former Super Eagles defender, Austin Eguavoen.
Eguavoen who took charge of the team in the interim couldn’t qualify them for the world cup.
Speaking with Eagle7FM Sports Radio in an interview Rohr said his sack according to Pinnick was to avert a disaster.
“Pinnick said my dismissal will avert a disaster, but in the end he created the disaster that cost Nigeria the ticket to the World Cup,” he said.
I regret that I did not take my team to win the World Cup, I regret that my players will not be at the World Cup even though they deserve to be there”.
The German said the decision to leave was not his, but was a decision by Pinnick and his board.
“He was punished for this as Nigeria lost the chance to win the AFCON and did not qualify for the World Cup.”
I have worked on the letters of the name SOLUDO, and I truly sympathize with all those who go by that name either as first, second, third or as surname. I’m truly not disrespectful of them nor do I mean any insults or harm. Sincerely my heart goes out to Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo who is the direct subject of this short piece.
The SOLUDO at the core of this effort stands for, SELF OVERRATING LET’S UNHINGED DESTRUCTION OUT. Oftentimes mortal man thinks him/herself exceptional. In Luciferic arrogance mortal man ascribes omniscience to him/herself. In unguarded penchant for kindergarten jealousy mortal man assumes theistic propensities, as he/she dishes out anger and envy ladened prognosis presenting such hubris, tommyrot and gibberish as the product of studied research, like Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo sought to weave a sullied wool over us a few days ago.
The past one week has been a theatre of the absurd for the Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo who rather than concentrate on making the State better than he met it, opted instead for the dance macabre, yes, in an inexplicable frenzy of Pseudo intellectualism he chose an unsolicited fight with H.E Peter Obi who understandably is the rave of the moment on our political amphitheater. May your ego not become your fall. Indeed may SOLUDO never happen to you.
From that Channels TV ‘POLITICS TODAY’ Interview with Proficient Broadcast Anchor Seun Okinbaloye where he described former Governor Peter Obi’s investments in favour of Anambra State as next to nothing, to the “so long a letter/article’ where Soludo not only sort to rubbish the Presidential race of H.E Peter Obi but laborously proceeded to denigrate the entire Nigerian Youth, the Obidient Family and all those seeking a better Nigeria worldwide. In demonic arrogance and fiendish jealousy, Soludo claims to be smarter than the global family of the Obidients. He calls the Movement a Mob. He calls the movement the product of fleeting exuberance and excitement. He thinks himself the most intelligent Nigerian and the most informed political operator alive. But he goofed. May SOLUDO never happen to you.
Even the Peoples Democratic Party the PDP, the All Promises Cancelled, O sorry the All Progressive Congress the APC and the New Nigerian Peoples Party the NNPP ditto three of the four leading political parties in the race for the high office of President come 2023, have not in any way treated or referred to the Peter Obi phenomenon in a condescending manner like the ‘all knowing Soludo’ has. ‘How art thou fallen, Chukwuma Son of Soludo, why has pride and prejudice ensnared you? What happened to you?’. Seriously Speaking Folks, may SOLUDO never happen to you.
Have you read the opinions streaming into the public domain on Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo? Have you seen the statement of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala the DG of the World Trade Organization? Have you read the one credited to the Former Governor of the Central Bank and the Former Emir of Kano H.R.H Lamido Sanusi? Have you read the one that was ascribed to his in-law the late Dr. Dora Akunyili? You can Google check and find out that none of the damning statements came from the Obidients. That Soludo in his mountain high and unbridled arrogance called the Obidients a ‘mob’ defines his blinding neurosis and unequalled disdain and hate for the most vibrant socio-political movement in our nation’s history. May Soludo never happen to you.
Who will tell Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo that I’m glad to be a member of the MOB (Movement Of The Beautiful). Who will tell him that we are Beautiful because together with H.E Peter Obi we want to take back our Country for good. Together we want to make NIGERIA beautiful. And together we want to birth and berth a New Deal and a New Day for the masses of our Country. Unfortunately however, the All Knowing Philosopher-King called Charles Chukwuma Soludo thinks we are idiotic narcissists and Nazi. May SOLUDO never happen to you.
Soludo is living in the past but wouldn’t see because his ego is Olympic. His struggle to reduce a Pan Nigerian Ticket ditto the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign to a regional cum South East quest for power belies his claim to logic and clear thought. And his theistic declaration that Peter Obi cannot win the 2023 Presidential election reeks of unguarded jealousy and unreasonable disdain for figures and statistics. I will not bother to educate and or inform the Solomonic SOLUDO, but pray rather that Soludo does not happen to you.
Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction says the Holy Book. And the letters of the name Soludo speaks to this reality. Yes, Self Overrating Let’s Unhinged Destruction Out SULODO. May revenge and revanchism never blind your heart so bad that you think yourself God. May envy, jealousy and anger never tear into your soul so bad that you think yourself all-knowing. And may you learn some ennobling humility. Indeed may SOLUDO never happen to you.
Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr.
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVEMENT.
The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities may be preparing for another showdown as the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has insisted the government will not pay full salaries to lecturers despite their ongoing nationwide protest.
ASUU had on Monday begun protests across the country to press home their demand for full pay after the Federal Government failed to pay them for the eight-month period the lecturers were on strike.
However, Adamu, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday, insisted the protesting lecturers would not be paid for work not done in line with ‘No work no pay’ policy.
The PUNCH reports that ASUU, which embarked on strike in February, called off the industrial action in October, after a Court of Appeal order them to do so.
Following the development, the government paid the lecturers half salaries for the month of October while insisting that it would not pay for the eight months they were on strike.
In response, ASUU began protests across the country. But the education minister declared on Wednesday that the lecturers “would not be paid for work not done.”
The minister also reacted to the allegation made by the President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodoke, that paying the lecturers on pro-rata basis was a ploy to make them casual workers.
Nobody can make university lecturers casual workers,” he said. When told that the lecturers were threatening a one-day action to protest government’s action, Adamu said he was not aware.
BUK postpones examination
Meanwhile, Bayero University, Kano, has rescheduled all academic activities including its first semester examination slated for November 7, 2022, following the ongoing nationwide protests declared by ASUU
A statement by the Secretary, Information and Publication Unit of the university on behalf of the Registrar, Bala Abdullahi, said academic activities had been postponed to a later date.
The Vice-Chairman, ASUU, BUK branch, Dr Sagir Saleh, told reporters that the union decided to protest to show their “total rejection” of the “amputated” salary paid to members for the month of October 2022.
Also, the University of Benin chapter of ASUU has carpeted the Federal Government over its alleged attempt to criminalise the union’s strike action.
In a statement titled, “The onslaught against intellectualism,” read by the union chairman of the chapter, Ray Chikogu, at its secretariat in UNIBEN, the lecturers condemned government’s decision to withhold their salaries.
Also, the ASUU chairman for the University of Ilorin, Professor Moyosore Ajao, called on the Federal Government to pay the backlog of salaries owed members of ASUU during the strike period.
Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents, Ajao said, “My question back to them is if the work is going to be done, will the money be paid or not? If they are saying no payment for work not done, ASUU is not asking them to pay us for work not done. We are asking them to pay us because the work is going to be done.”
ASUU accuses parties
Meanwhile, the President, ASUU, Osodeke, on Wednesday alleged that politicians were planning to privatise federal universities across the country.
Speaking at a special congress of the ASUU of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, formerly known as Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, in honour of the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Richard Kimbir, Osodeke said the two options were being considered by the presidential candidates of some parties in the forthcoming general elections.
He said, “If you don’t know, they are planning to sell the universities (federal universities) through public-private partnership, this is being planned by two presidential candidates and the other plan is to initiate student loan at five per cent interest rate.
According to him, contrary to what is obtainable in USA, where student can easily get job and repay the loan, the situation in the country is more difficult due to the lack of jobs for graduates.
“In Nigeria where you have graduates that cannot get a job for several years and by the time you spend 30 years, the loan will run to N40m,” he observed.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson, ASUU, ATBU, Bauchi Branch, Dr. Ibrahim Inuwa, has alleged that the Federal Government is deliberately underfunding public universities to deny the masses access to education through exorbitant fees.
He spoke at a press conference held at the ASUU secretariat, shortly after staging a peaceful protest with ASUU members.
He said, “After suspending the eight months strike due to a court order and interventions of well-meaning Nigerians, the government went so low to withhold the salaries of ASUU members and only paid pro-rata for the October salary. The union rejects the casualisation of Nigerian academics.
Strike avoidable – Sultan
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Wednesday said the recently suspended industrial action by ASUU was avoidable if continuous dialogue approach had been adopted.
Abubakar spoke in Osogbo at the inauguration and handover of 25-bedroom guest house donated by the Babalakin family to Fountain University.
He described the strike as unfortunate, saying being part of the Federal Government negotiation team with ASUU, made him realised that honesty by parties would have prevented the industrial action.
He then commended the Babalakin family for the kind gesture, saying since the government could not singlehandedly fund education, well-meaning Nigerians should come forward to assist in improving the condition of learning, especially in universities.
Abubakar said, “We just came out of an unfortunate ASUU crisis. I believe we have come out of it. For eight months, our children were at home, very sad and frustrating. These are things that we could have avoided by continuously talking because it is not today that ASUU started having problems with the government and they will never stop having problem with the government.
The best thing is that anytime there is a problem, you sit down and discuss to find a way out. So, when you have a problem with anyone, what you should do is to sit down and dialogue in an honest way and once you have agreed on any terms, please try to implement your agreement.
“But if you think you cannot, come back to the table again and discuss more, then you have other alternatives to solve the problem – but not embarking on strike that will affect the children. I know how more of our children have been affected psychologically and emotionally by the eight months strike, I think that is not good for us,” the religious leader said.
Speaking on behalf of the Babalakin family, Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, said his late father, Justice Bola Babalakin, led an honest life and that the building was donated to Fountain University on the understanding that the institution would continue to maintain probity and discipline in its affairs.
In his goodwill message, Osun State Governor, Adeboyega Oyetola, assured stakeholders that his administration would continue to provide conducive environment for the university to operate.
I was always proud of you since I knew you as the CBN Governor. Infact, I got a job at Fidelity Bank due to your consolidation of the banks.
Coincidentally, Chief Willie Obiano was my ED, Executive Banking before he became the Executive Governor of Anambra State. I followed you afterwards and I read your commentaries on national and global issues. I remember your article on how African Governments can optimise their approach to save both the economy and health of Africans during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. I watched the Anambra Governorship debate because of you and was proud of your performance and was impressed with your firm rebuttals to Chief Andy Uba. I was happy that you won and became the Governor of your state. Again, Congratulations!
I watched your interview with Channels and I still sincerely think that Seun caught you off-guard. I recall that you kept insisting that you were there to defend your budget and would not want to be dragged into Peter Obi’s or any other candidate’s campaign.
My objective assessment was that that adjective “next to nothing” was not thoughtful and I felt it the moment you said. You were not sensitive to see Seun’s trap and you may need to reflect on the interview again as a teacher. Perhaps you were tired after the day’s hardwork. I don’t know.
My name is Chukwuma. I share the same name with you and I can call you Ogbom (my namesake). Our name means “God knows”. Shakespeare asked, “what’s in a name”? I have seen many Chukwumas and God appears to have always led them to a miraculous path. The same with you. Thus, a reason to be considerate and thoughtful because we rely on divine guidance.
I am an irreversible supporter of Peter Obi but I have decided to address you in a calm tone because I perceive that you are afraid of what Obidients would say to you. Hence, you intend to write Part 2 to keep joining issues with them. Ogbom that is not necessary, to be honest. Obidients are not just youths and illiterates. I have met Professors, Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants, Traders, Farmers, intelligent Students, etc who are Obidients. The Obidient movement is a full house and there is no type and class of human beings you cannot find in it. I even whated a clip where Kegites were singing and enjoying life with Obidient songs. Obidients are not Social media bandits in anyway. They are pure creation of the Nigerian state and the ruling class like you. They are simply blocking-off APC and PDP from using it in the manner APC used it in 2015. Obidients appear to be ready to fight for every inch in the cyberspace and on ground. So, this should not be taken for granted as there is a correlation between Social media engagements and actual physical engagements. I think you should include this in your updated model for forecasting. Social media is a tool for social mobilisation and a potent technological tool that can sway elections as shown in African Countries that conducted elections recently, particularly in Kenya where Ruto won Kenyatta and Odinga put together.
You see, Peter Obi is blessed with rare grace. As a good Christian, I am sure that you know what grace means. Grace is divine. Grace is transcendental. Grace is incomprehensible. Peter Obi was not expecting this moment in the manner it came but I believe that he must have had the premonition. In fact, I have discovered the secret of his prudence and character in public office from the answer he provided in his Oxford University Interaction. He said that it would be shameful for him to be linked to public impropriety having passed through great institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, UNN, etc. I can relate with this because as unknown as I am, I noticed that I started weighing my public engagements after my Masters from University of Warwick, United Kingdom and my PhD from University of Manchester, United Kingdom. The fear of our actions creating negative publicity to institutions that we are affiliated with often inspire integrity and character in us. So, my assessment is that Peter Obi is a real deal and he means business and can cause a positive change in Nigeria as history indeed beckons on all Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious or elitist considerations and be patriotic for once.
We cannot continue to hire the wrong people and return to church and mosques to pray for good governance. The theory of lid by John Maxwell states that a leader cannot lead beyond his/her capacity. I dare add that a Leader cannot realise a vision he/she cannot conceive. Peter Obi is a “Philosopher king” as imagined by Plato in the “Republic”. Peter Obi is in the class of Awoism and Zikism. There are philosophical underpinnings to Peter Obi’s ideas and that means that it can be replicated beyond him. I speak as an academic, a researcher and a university teacher.
You are well respected in Igboland but I would encourage you to seek the counsels of your friends and people like Chief Nnia Nwodo, Chief Osita Chidoka, Prof Obiozor, Lolo Bianca Ojokwu, etc on the Igbo questions. There is a clear difference between speaking as a politician from Igbo extraction and speaking to the interests of the Igbo nation. Your unwarranted attack on Peter Obi, who is trying to volunteer from the Igbo nation to participate in National politics, is why many youths believed in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu more than the politicians in South East. I am a Pro-Nigeria but I see what is happening in Igboland to my dissatisfaction. There is this false assumption in Nigeria that the best enemy of an Igboman is an Igboman; and that is what your narrative is promoting. How do you want Igbos to feel when you tell them that it is not their turn whilst the rest of Nigeria, starting from North to West to South, are saying that this is a golden moment for an Igbo presidency. I don’t understand you Prof. This is arguable but there are three persons that have been able to command the followership of the Igbos. First is Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. Second is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Third is Peter Obi. Their circumstances were on different scales but Igbos have deep respect for them. Igbos are often republican in nature and they have independent mindedness as part of its culture. Yet, Peter Obi, being a man of humility and wisdom have refused to come close to be owned by the Igbos. This is making a lot of Igbo leaders uncomfortable because they would want to claim a role if Peter Obi emerges the President of Nigeria. Peter Obi knows that he must be a Nigerian President and his wide acceptance is quite remarkable! Of course, Peter Obi respects the Igbos just as he respects others and indeed everyone that comes his way.
Dear Professor Soludo, when I read your article, I suspected that you responded in anger because of the length of the article. For instance, I expected your article to update us on how much is “next to nothing” since that was the key issue. That piece was not as academic as your usual masterpieces. This one was a story that did not have head nor tail, and that is understandably what happens when thinkers respond with emotions instead of their rational mind. I read you and this was not you Prof? I did not believe it was you until I read it in National daily and watched its analysis on Arise and Channels. Ogbom, do not write Part 2. Even if per chance, which is becoming remote by the day, Peter Obi looses, that piece would not be the cause. You are a Professor not a fake Prophet or Prophet of doom. We know that Nigeria do not have the kind of data you based your questionable conclusions. Again, your conclusions do not tally with the current reality. Amazingly, you did not justify why APC or PDP candidates should win. Nigerians have suffered so much that telling them that their vote will not count is uncharitable. Ogbom, I know you are an elite who doesn’t know the level of hunger in the land. I would encourage you to avoid head-on collisions with supporters of Peter Obi.
Peter Obi has gathered all the rejected, dejected, neglected, ignored, subjugated people in the Nigerian society to his side and they are not playing hide and seek with anyone that appears to be dashing their hope. The best you can do is to allow the polls to decide during election rather than engaging in an attack at their only hope: they will attack you back and that is a huge distraction to a governor of a state. Anambra people did not elect you as the chief opposer of their son, your brother and friend. You don’t need that storm in a teacup.
In summary, please change your course ASAP. Change course because you are human and you can err. Peter Obi did not state false claims as he has repeated in the LBS chat. Leave Peter and campaign for APGA or PDP (if they will not see that as an anti-party activity). Please, retain your dignity and respect by not joining issues with the citizens who are legitimately disillusioned by where PDP and APC have taken them. I hope you will not merge APGA with PDP or APC? I have this concern.
I wish you well as the Governor of Anambra State. I wish the Nigerian state the best. I wish the citizens of Nigeria Peter Obi whom I am certain is the best at this time in Nigeria’s history.
Warm regards,
Dr Chukwuma Destiny Ogbonnaya
Manchester, United Kingdom
Soludo venomous rejoinder article in his renewed effort to drag Peter Obi to the mud is his lowest. His rejoinder did not come as a surprise to me because I knew his actions was deliberate from day one. After going through the sleezy write up, I can bet anyone that Soludo did not just write it as aftermath of his interview response backlash, he must have painstakingly spent several sleepless nights writing and editing that article weeks or even months ago waiting for when he thinks is the right time to descend low and insult our sensibilities.
Reading between the line, you will see undiluted bitterness, jealousy, hatred and palpitating fear from the darkest mind of the author. He said Obi saving money for Anambra state was a misnomer but turned around to praise himself for doing same for Nigeria as CBN governor. I am sure he still has more of such loquacious articles he has written and continuously editing as events unfold waiting for the current frenzy to simmer so he can unleash them as distractions to Obis supporters.
What people do not know is that he is not just displaying this ferocious animosity acting the spoiler because Obi is involved, he would have equally done the same to any other Igbo man. He never in his widest imagination thought that Obi would enjoy the level of support he is doing today in a party everybody thought was fringe including my self. In his black-market logic, he said he advised Obi to run under APGA but did not tell us he did so to set Obi up to be perceived as a tribal candidate knowing fully well that APGA has zero chance.
That graveyard advice is his grand design to ensure no Igbo man can smell Nigeria presidency before him. With the level of venom coming from him, I am beginning to agree with someone that said Soludo would rather prefer to loose his second term as governor of Anambra than see any Igbo man out shine him to become Nigerian president in his life time.
I am highly pained with his lack of restraint at thi point because I love him and do not want him to continue on the part to political perdition. He has a lot to offer to Ndi Igbo and Nigeria in general and should not wilfully truncate his dream.
He should join hand and support Obi then if it’s not devine that Obi will be there, he will have the moral ground to seek for our support when his time comes.
Leadership is a combination of charisma and character. The former is a pointer to the ability that can get the work done while the latter portrays the personality needed for the job. Of course, our country’s greatest need is leadership but it is important to put our need in context of the revelation of the present Anambra state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo on Peter Obi.
We need to clearly understand that there is work to be done, but beyond the work to be done is who does it.
Ours is a society that has turned value on her head; money seems to define us and at the Altar of Mammon we are compelled to worship by a lost elite class that has ruined our economy and elevated things at the expense of human worth.
To stop this trend, our dire crave for mentor-leaders who will champion value re-orientation and lead by example is essential.
Soludo of course is not Obi’s mate in paper qualifications! An economist of outstanding achievements, he towered over Obi in charisma. The need for him in Obi’s government if he wins the election as an adviser, no one should query. Character being the true strength of a leadership is Obi’s edge. Through it, the depth of personal discipline is revealed.
Having established the rhythm of Obi’s sound which Nigerians found danceable as the foundation for the ‘Obidient’ movement, let me proceed by stating same as our direction in this discourse to disect the character and depth of personal discipline of Professor Chukwuma Soludo as revealed by him in his letter.
The publication dated 14th November, 2022; and titled “History Beckons and I will not be Silent (Part 1)” By Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR is our study.
Professor Soludo stated in his opening paragraph that:
“my attention has been drawn to some of the tirades on social media following my frank response during an interview on Channels TV regarding the “investments” Mr. Peter Obi claimed to have made with Anambra state’s revenues”.
The Executive Governor of Anambra state had the time to trade in social media tirades with rats and bloggers alike who are venting their anger over his jab at their idol; Obi! I personally read more than a thousand and one comment on the social media and I can’t tell who among the numerous commentators is the privileged person the Governor found the time out of his very busy schedule to trade tirades with. His claim to being frank wouldn’t have been contestable; Soludo is usually a very blunt person but for the way his statement was structured; regarding the “investment” Mr Peter Obi CLAIMED to have made with Anambra state revenues, his use of the word ‘claim’ to describe Obi’s investment suggests that the investment are in doubt, whereas during his interview on Channels TV with Seun Okinbaloye, he authoritatively informed us of an investment made which is today worth next to nothing. By his interview and written response follow up, what should we believe?
The article also read:
“…several of the comments left the issue of the interview to probe or suggest motives, inferred from my response on “investment” that I am opposed to Peter Obi’s ambition and therefore committed a “crime” for which the punishment is internecine abuse and harassment even to my family”.
Leadership as the saying goes is by example, do I need to remind the Governor that his purpose on the interview was to present Anambra state 2023 budget and not to make Obi’s Investment the topic of his seating, he could have stated the fact regarding the investment and return the interviewer and his audience back to his focus – the budget – but he left the meat for humanity, and was running with the bone of the discourse. A man running with bone shouldn’t complain of dogs chasing after him. He should drop the bone now or live with the attack of the hungry dogs that PDP and APC have made out of the Nigerian masses.
That Soludo actually did read several of public comments on his interview leaves us with the impression that Obi was his reason for the appearance; else, we are left with putting a big question mark on his ability to stay focused. His character flaw exhibited by lack of restrain shown by this response demeaned the dignity of his office.
He continues thus: “I used to think that for decent people, certain conducts are off-limits, and that in Anambra, politics is not warfare”.
To me, it’s very appalling that the Executive Governor of Anambra State would like a commoner descend from decency of his thoughts about people to the murky water of politics and roll in it with them like swine.
“Of course, as a Christian, I know that telling the truth can be very costly, even suicidal. Our Lord and saviour was crucified simply for telling the truth the people hated to hear. I promised that I won’t be the usual politician, and will not knowingly lie to the people. I am not an Angel but instead of deliberately repeating the same deceitful character which politicians are known for, I would leave public office. It is a vow I made to my God and to my family. Only God knows how many days I will be on this seat but whether I am on it or not I will always say it as it is— knowing fully the suicidal consequences of telling the truth in a political arena, especially in a country where lying and deceit by politicians have become culture and celebrated as being “smart””, Soludo writes.
Sir, your theology of Christianity is politically smart, how I wished it was Paul’s admonition that informed your submission, for truth, a Christian must speak in love towards the growth of the body, yours was indeed very bitter and laden with hatred, with no garnish of kindness.
Again, he says: “Ideally, I should just have laughed off the infantile exuberances as many friends advised”, that sincerely is what you failed to do and the days ahead will prove it that you made a mistake to step into the ring with hungry and angry masses of army recruited by the PDP government that you and Obi served as we were made to believe by APC, though the army are daily multiplying, hungrier and angrier! I would have thought that addressing the collective demonization of PDP years and all of you who served that government would have been of interest to you if only to exonerate yourself and mentor, whose support for Obi he publicly demonstrated by leaving his seat for him.
“Everyone knows that I don’t follow the winds nor one to succumb to bullies, nor shy away from a good fight especially when weighty matters of principles and future of the people are involved. One lesson I learnt from my former boss and mentor, President Obasanjo, is never to be on the fence. I learnt that one must always take a stand: for better or for worse. I do so with every sense of humility, and leave history to judge. Most people have commended me for “tactfully avoiding being drawn into the Peter Obi issue” until now. Since I am now being forced into the Arena on this matter, I have a duty and a right of reply, if only for the records, and to also give the social media mob something substantive to rant upon and rain their abuses for weeks. In this preliminary response, there are some things I will refrain from saying here because, in the end, February/March 2023 will come and go, and life will continue”.
Your Excellency, while it is commendable that you don’t follow the crowd, you are in this instance the leader of the crowd! I will advise that you reach His Exellency Dr Olusegun Obasanjo for the conclusion of the leadership class you failed to attend. He had made clear the problem of Anambra people, of an elite class who wants their people dominated and oppressed in perpetuity. His counsel to Emeka Offor is golden for you at this moment, “the man carrying the head of an elephant shouldn’t be found digging the holes of cricket with his toes”.
It is needless to dignify your outburst against those who commented on your interview which you described as an “exhibition of desperation, intolerance and attempt to bully everyone who expresses the slightest of dissent.” Sir, given your learning, you should agree with me that Nigerians should be desperate in the context of the hardship they are subjected to, if we are not, a national clinic should by now be running to have us all examined of our normality.
Your affirmation of Hitler in the making is the most uncharitable way to describe a brother and friend according to you, who is equally at the mercy of this desperate army of impoverished masses in their quest for a change.
Sir, you stated that: “any dissent is tagged a saboteur or, in my case, it could be that I want to contest for president after office or that I am envious of Peter Obi. Soludo envious of Peter Obi? Totally laughable! But this is the same person I was asking to return to APGA in March 2022 and contest for president and yet envious or doesn’t want him to be president. This is madness!”
This indeed is a season of madness like never seen before, and I will advise that you choose your fight; no one has ever fought against the people; right or wrong and won, your intellect can’t be questioned; at least not by me but then emotional intelligence is equally key at chosing your fight in the public against the public.
Please, face the discharge of your duty as Governor of Anambra state. You are neither the APGA Presidential candidate nor the Spokesperson of the Party. I need not remind you that you are the Governor of all Anambarians, a people which includes Mr Peter Obi.
You response drifted from Obi’s investment to political leadership of the Igbos, a position never assumed by Peter Obi in body language, spoken words or deeds. Your reference to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe though welcome was unwarranted. He, you said “was the undisputed all time leader of the Igbos but he had his arch rivals and even independent candidates win landslide elections against his party, NCNC, in Igboland. Obafemi Awolowo had stiff opposition among the Yorubas while Ahmadu Bello had his share of opponents in the Northern region. Today, no one has accused Afenifere or other strong presidential candidates from the South West of being “anti Yoruba” because Tinubu is a frontrunner, nor has anyone accused Kwankwaso and several other Northern candidates of being “anti-North” for not supporting Atiku. As a full blooded republican Igboman and democrat, I reject this despotic intolerance”.
Your pinning Obi here is most unfortunate Sir. Show us one person who has shown civility, in decorum and conduct better than Obi among the frontliners in the race!
“Yes, I fully understand the anger of some urban and Diaspora youths and some Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the trajectory of the country or with the candidates of the major parties and wished other options. Not knowing much about others, some see Peter Obi as the contrast they wished for. I get the point”.
Do you truly FULLY understand the hopelessness of this raging youths? I bet to disagree with you sir, that you get the point.
“But this is a democracy: the minority will have their say, but the majority their way”.
Sir, the concept of democracy as a voice, wherein the say of the minority is captured and the majority takes the lead is built on the sanctity and power of the ballot. You can’t drown the voice of the majority for minority leadership as the practice is in our case which you claimed is a democracy without translations of public anger and social media agitation into political outcomes, though humongous work is required but the people’s trust the political class have traded for their own comfort and that of members of the immediate family. You have an example in your neighbouring state; Imo. On my position against yours on democracy. May be Obi’s ability to keep his sons hands away from public switch to turn off and put on the light at will is his spell over the people. Could it be keeping his wife away from the senate or his refusal to send a bill that will guarantee a life time of comfort on the taxes of the people to the state house of assembly when he was leaving office?
Please, I look forward to your part two in hope that Obi will be truly de-mystified and the deception he is will be truly exposed. For now, let’s just assume that a people in search of a hero have found one in Him.
“We sat next to each other during the Emeka Anyaoku lecture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University on 8th March, 2022 and I made an offer for him to return to APGA and contest as its presidential candidate. Yes, I did. In my mind, it was time for Igbos to organize their region politically before stepping out to bargain power with other organized coalitions. On his part, he tried to convince me that he expected APC to unravel why PDP would be the “only one” standing. We debated and he proposed that we could meet later to discuss further. He attended my inauguration on March 17. A few weeks later, he requested and I obliged him to use the Anambra State government house facility to launch his presidential bid under PDP. I was surprised to read in the news later that he had defected to LP (a party with literally zero structure), thereby attempting to weaken the same PDP he saw as the saviour a few weeks earlier. He paid me a courtesy call as the presidential candidate of LP, and we had frank discussions”, the article reads.
“During our meeting… We noted that we were in opposing political parties and in response to my direct question as to how I might help him, he requested that I should just ensure a “level playing field” and let the people decide”.
I daresay this is one of the several reasons Obi is the idol of the masses who are craving for a majority leadership through a free and fair election. And your reference to Obi’s treatment of LP’s Candidate, Ifeanyi Uba when he was the Governor we are compelled to juxtapose with the Obi who as APGA seating Governor received President Olusegun Obasanjo and followed him to the campaign ground where he was referred to as the outgoing Governor. Sir, your intellectual venture to unravel Obi, must be reminded, Obi is not a book, he is a library, a collection of many studies in leadership. Do you honestly think you are ready for what you are stirring?
Sir, politics is dynamic, and as you quoted, there are no permanent friends or enemy but only permanent interests and if Nigeria is the interest, APGA can’t be the platform not even for Dr Nnamdi Azikwe if he is to resurrect to contest for presidency. APGA is viewed as the political platform of IPOB and taken a position against your party and people will no doubt be costly.
You would have saved yourself a lot of the pebbles throwing that greeted your response had you bothered to state clearly that you were writing as a party man, a right no one should deny you.
“By the way, APGA is Nigeria’s third largest political party today (after APC and PDP, it is the only other party with a state governor and third largest presence at the National Assembly). And some people have the temerity to suggest that APGA’s candidate should “step down” for Peter Obi as the “Igbo candidate”. I wonder when Igbos met to choose a candidate. They even argue that afterall APGA supported President Jonathan and did not field a candidate then. Well, the fact as I was told was that no candidate showed interest under APGA then. Besides, APGA’s unwritten rule then was to support the party at the centre — which, if we apply this time, should actually be APC. But we have our own candidate. Recall that all the political parties had their primaries during the same period. Once Peter Obi realized that he won’t get the presidential or vice-presidential ticket of PDP he ran to Labour Party (a political party known as a transit camp for aspirants who lost primaries in APC, PDP and APGA), and the chorus by a vociferous minority now is that LP has become the “Igbo project”, and the APGA candidate who emerged the same time as Peter Obi should “step down”. Ridiculous! Now I truly understand that a mob cannot reason”.
Your Excellency, like you, I have struggled to let this vociferous minority come to terms with the book, that politically speaking, they are inconsequential minority, just that the reality is against our beliefs and has become a shadow chasing our political elites across major parties of APC, PDP and APGA who are in the national assembly.
In your desire to teach Ndigbo politics, especially the larger Nigeria politics. Bola Ahmed Tinubu became your example: “who defied the political wind of the time and stood out as the “only man standing” in AD and later AC (before ACN) against a sitting president of Yoruba descent, no one accused him of being “anti-Yoruba”. Indeed, everyone recalls that both Tinubu and President Obasanjo disagreed politically,…. in their frenzied Nzogbu nzogbu politics, have sadly found themselves in a political cul de sac. Tragic indeed! When will my people smell the morning coffee”?
Sir, I will personally like to know which of the APGA you are representing as the Governor of Anambra state, the stand alone or the faction within APC? That BAT is your political mentor whose footsteps you hope to follow at leading the Ndigbos through APGA to a political alliance tied to his ideology is a bad dream; a political albatross.
Addressing the substance of your interview, you wrote; “Yes, Peter Obi was governor for 8 years (2006 -2014) during a period of unprecedented oil boom and prosperity in Nigeria (Nigerian economy was growing at average of 6-8% per annum, and oil price was highest during this time). I have seen all kinds of funny comments and interpretations regarding what I said about the value of his “investments”. Some refer to SabMiller and bandy all kinds of figures as to how the investment of $12 million is now worth less than $3 million. Of course, there is room for legitimate debate about the logic or quality of the investments. For example, people might differ as to the propriety of using taxpayers money to promote a company in which one is a shareholder in the name of “investment”, or even whether so called “savings” are warranted when there were dozens of schools without roofs or classrooms, or local governments without access roads or hospitals without doctors/nurses. A Bishop recently publicly advised that I should please try to construct the “Ngige type of quality roads”, stating that the ones done by his successor (that is, Peter Obi) had washed off, while Ngige’s remained. I promised and we are delivering quality roads that Anambra has not seen before.
For sure, prudence in public resource management is desirable and we are opening new frontiers in that area. People will however differ as to whether saving money in the bank account is a KPI (key performance indicator) for a government where poverty is escalating except where its institutions for absorption are weak or where the government has no robust/big agenda for transformation. Governments exist to save lives, not to save money. We can debate and differ on this— (by the way, I know when/how it is appropriate to “save” as I built Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $10 billion I inherited to all time $63 billion, and even after paying $12 billion to pay-off Nigeria’s external debt and going through unprecedented global financial crisis, I still left behind about $45 billion— Go and verify!)”.
Your claim we have verified to be nothing but the facts; we are however lost to the comparison between the roads constructed by Obi and Ngige without giving us examples we can visit to affirm your astuteness. Sir, do remember to do this in your part two.
“Funny, in the rabid frenzy to grab every straw, they cut a clip during our governorship debate where I was stating vital statistics and they claimed that I was “praising” Peter Obi then while committing a crime now by “criticising” him. Hahahaha! Well, it is true that I said during the debate that, according to National Bureau of Statistics, poverty in Anambra actually grew (from less than 25% in 2005) to about 53% under Peter Obi in 2010/2011 but fell under Willie Obiano to 14.78% in 2020. Yes, poverty more than doubled under Peter Obi and more than 50% of Ndi Anambra were in poverty under him. Go and verify! I am Governor, and sitting on privileged information which I will not want to use against a political opponent”.
Sir, please, don’t back out on this as a custodian of the people’s trust and the Governor of Peter Obi, it will be an eternal legacy to help us understand that Both Atiku and Bola Ahmed Tinubu are better than he. This of course will add to your feather as one time international organizing Secretary of Ndigbo who helped PDP and APC to survive a people led revolution by giving up his brother.
Your question, where do we go from here? Reveals nothing but your intention to jump ship and play in the big national league of politics on the platform of APC, it was a very nice way of stretching your hands across the Niger bridge to your friend Gov El-Rufai at the expense of your brotherhood. With a tactical attempt to assume leadership of the Igbo nation! Sir, structure for a lost nation in a nation like the Igbo will not be built on an interview. You have an office with which to prove you are the leader of the Igbo nation by leading them to win all the seat to the National Assembly, and if possible the presidency. Your political communication to me is suggestive of a man patronizing APC with the intention to use APGA to negotiate, I only hope the party sees what I am seeing and rise to the occasion of the needful that must be done to call you to order.
“I worry that Ndigbo as Nigeria’s foremost itinerant tribe and with the greatest stake in the Nigerian project does not yet have a strategy to engage Nigeria—politically! Every four years, we resurface with emotive Nzogbu Nzogbu political dance (“it is our turn dance” but without organization or strategy) and fizzle out afterwards while others work 24/7 strategizing and organizing”.
Your worries are justifiable, but the medium of communicating it was wrongly chosen, you are no stranger to Ohaneze Ndigbo, have you shared your worries with them? Or you chose to speak to Elders of your tribe along with the public in a public letter?
“Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win”. Really? This shouldn’t come from you in honour of your person from whom you said he asked as a brother to not do anything to assist him win but to provide a level playing ground for the people’s decision, whoever that winner will be so be it!
In your bid to unravel the game Obi is playing, which is known to both of you, but unknown to us, you sounded more like a betrayer of friendship and brotherhood:
“The game he is playing is the main reason he didn’t return to APGA. The brutal truth (and some will say, God forbid) is that there are two persons/parties seriously contesting for president: the rest is exciting drama! That many Americans may not like the fact that Joe Biden (79 years) and Donald Trump (76 years) are two frontrunners for president in their parties does not remove the fact that if both of them emerge as candidates, definitely one of them will be president in 2024”.
Sir, I must give it to you, that was an excellent marketing, you patronized Atiku and Tinubu so well using the American scenario to lower the huddles of age standing against both of them. But you should have brought to bare your international exposure to address the huddles of their corruption to sell the APGA candidate whose name you barely mentioned unofficially in your long letter to Ndigbo and epistle to Nigerians.
After all said towards de-marketing and political disadvantage of Obi, you wished him well as your brother, and even prayed for him. Sir, you mean your communication which we all read are endless good wishes and prayers for a darling brother, that, the public need to understand?
“I told him during his courtesy call that my prayer is that himself or Prof Umeadi of APGA would win, why not?”
Sir, if you are all out for APGA, a consistent mentioning of Professor Justice Peter Umeadi would had saved you from the probing of political integrity that your piece raised. You were all out to destroy Peter Obi, without an attempt to sell Peter Umeadi.
Sir, you attempted to take our eyes off the ball of political merchandising which for me is the intent of your vituperation against Obi.
When you said, “Of course, Peter Obi will get some votes, and may probably win in Anambra state— as “home boy”. But Anambra is not Nigeria. If he likes, I can even campaign for him but that won’t change much. From internal state by state polling available to me, he was on course to get 25% in 5 states as at August this year. The latest polling shows that it is down to four states, and declining. Not even in Lagos state (supposed headquarters of urban youths) where Labour Party could not find candidates to contest for House of Reps or Senate. The polls also show that he is taking votes away mostly from PDP.”
Your flow on this wasn’t suspicious until you gave it away, when you wrote:
“Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even given Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP. It is what it is”!
Sir, indeed it is what it is, APGA we all know holds the ace at edging out Obi’s advantage of 5 states win in the South East and PDP 25% win is the region where BAT stand only a chance of just 25% vote from his Supreme Court made state by crook or hook. What a subtle patronage of BAT by his Excellency that if the price is right, you are ready to hold down your brother for him by making it a four way race in the region; Atiku, Tinubu, Obi and Umeadi.
You left no one in doubt of your determination to work for his loss in the coming election.
“What is our Plan B when Peter Obi loses in February 2023”?
Sir, we heard you well, “when” and not if!
“Some people prefer that we should play the Ostrich while Peter Obi toys with the collective destiny of over 60 million Igbos”, what a smart way to “Igbolize” a national movement. Sir, Edo state has erased the record set by the previous state that Obi visited with a mamoth crowd so far pulled by any state, the record is been regularly broken. Obi is not about collective destiny of 60 million Igbos but of all Nigerian who are fed up with the leadership your preferred candidates in Atiku and Tinubu. Please, put Obi’s and Tinubu’s visit to Jos side by side and convince yourself that the movement is an Ndigbo movement.
The desperation of the Nigerian elite political class at stopping Obi is appreciated, their reign of ruin is about to end, it’s a survival fight and it’s bound to be dirty. May be, just may be, you could have been strategic enough to know that the movement is a body with clear objectives for good governance and well defined aims of ending oppression by sacking oppressors from power. This is the revolution, with no official leadership.
“Ohun to ba jo ohun lafi we hun”, meaning there must be resemblance when substitution is your goal. Sir, you should have connected with your name sake Chukwuma Monye of ADC to provide the leadership the movement is yearning for or reach out to Omoyele Sowore of AAC who is more visible and has been in the trenches of freedom for Nigeria for close to 3 decades, who hasn’t missed any day of appearance in court by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu except when he is in incarceration, imagine a south eastern agitator teaming up with Sowore. But the class you represent are not interested in changing Obi for Sowore, they just want the oppressive status quo maintained. Them or nothing!
Haba! “Yes, you pray that he wins, but what if he fails as he is certain to”?
Your diplomacy at writing is top notch, your “if” of his failure was drowned by the certainty of your determination to see to his failure.
“It is not too late for Ohanaeze Ndigbo and progressive Igbo leaders to pre-emptively start charting a pragmatic future for Ndigbo in Nigeria after the elections. Armchair social media analysts can have the luxury of fantasizing with wild speculations. Right or wrong, they earn their pay and with no consequences. For us as leaders, the lives of tens of millions are at stake. We have a historic duty to act and being silent or politically correct is not an option. For starters, Ohanaeze should study the report of my committee (planning and strategy) in 2019. It may still be relevant today. Second, Ndigbo should seriously study the MoU signed at the Yar’Adua Centre in 2010. The leader of Igbo Political Association, Chief Simon Okeke and our members are still there. Thirdly and for me, Ndigbo should strategize and bargain especially with the TWO candidates likely to be president on at least four central issues:
A) Lasting peace and security in the South East, including the release and engagement with Nnamdi Kanu.
B) South East Economic transformation agenda and the FGN’s Marshall Plan for the South East as promised since the end of the Civil War (the post war ‘reconstruction’). We appreciate the Second Niger Bridge and recent contract for MTN to reconstruct the Onitsha-Enugu expressway. But the rail-lines to the five state capitals, speedy access to the sea, highways linking South East to the North and South South, addressing our existential threat as gully erosion capital of Africa, Free Trade and Export Processing Zones, etc.
C) Restructuring Agenda for Nigeria that devolves powers/resources to the subnational entities and in which it would no longer matter where the President comes from.
D) Levelling the playing field for the unleashing of the private sector and the full participation of Ndigbo in the economic and governance space; etc.
All of the points you raised are critical and poignant but ignoring the leadership ability of Obi and the justice and equity for the Igbo nation for which Obi is the official candidate of the Afenifere Social Cultural Group. Could it be that the man who wanted Afenifere divided for his failure on the mission has found a tool to do same in your Excellency to the Ohaneze?
Your Excellency, let me quote a line of interest in your conclusion, “no one should play God”. Let it be known that this is exactly all we could make out of your very lengthy thesis. Sir, are you then a god to decide destiny or a governor to encourage a citizen of his state. Whichever you think of yourself, you failed Obi, Anambra state and Ndigbo.
Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is a bold activist, an inspiring apostle and a dynamic nation builder with several intervention projects towards a better and greater Nigeria. You can read more from him on his blog: www.bolajioakinyemi.com
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, says Nigeria is better than many countries including developed ones, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The governor said this while addressing Buhari at an event in Jos, Plateau State on Tuesday, November 15.
“You have done so well in terms of infrastructure and our economy. You inherited it when there were recessions and challenges across the world.
Today in Nigeria, we are better than so many countries, including developed ones. It is under this wonderful APC, that you gave women, people and youth living with disabilities a chance to have a voice and belong.
Your Excellency, you have done it from 2015 to 2019, from 2019 till date,” he said.
