I have always loved and admired the first and second Generational Politicians from the South Eastern part of the country.They belonged to different political Confraternities and Ideologies but when the chips are down 'they disappear to appear' and pulled results that catapulted the Igbos to the corridors of Power and decision-making. They were wise, brave, dogged and tactical in their style of politics which incorporates boardroom politics, Power play and intrigues. You underate them at your own peril and hardly they loose out. I'm referring to Men like Zik of Africa, Chief K.O Mbadiwe, Chief Michael Okpara, Chief Akanu Ibiam, Dr Nwafor Orizu, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief CC Onoh, Senator Arthur Nzeribe, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Chuba Okadigbo, Senator Evan Enwerem, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Major Gen. Ike Nwachukwu etc
Post Independence of Nigeria aside the Civil War that lasted from 1967-70, the Igbo lineage has never been relegated and ostracized like the past 7years of the president Buhari regime. Too bad, the Igbo tribe has been silenced, incapacitated and currently in intensive care Unit upon the human resource capital and brains in our disposal. Never a time Igbos lost their Voice.
Currently Igbos has been schemed out from the political Climate of the Nation, from office of the president to Vice president even our statutory Senate president settlement has been highjacked by More hungrier power mongers from other Geopolitical zones. You want to talk about the military and paramilitary structure of the country being piloted with the Igbos in the background. What an Aberration indeed!
Down Memory lane, we saw Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe become the first President of Nigeria and a major decision moulder of the country, We had Major General Aguiyi Ironsi become first Military Head of state, we saw Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu stage a Civil war that lasted for three good years and came out Alive, we've had Dr Alex Ekwueme as a Vice president to President Shehu Shagari, We've witnessed an aggressive and Frontline Presidential Aspiration of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu twice that gave Igbos a strong voice in the powersharing and Juicy negotiations of General Sani Abacha's regime.
Furthermore, We saw Distinguished Senator Ogbuagu Arthur Nzeribe truncate and challenge the Election of Chief MKO Abiola after he mocked the Igbos by saying "He can win the presidential election without the Igbos" The rest was history.
Again, how can we forget the most grandstanding Judiciary panel in the history of Nigeria headed by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa of 'the Oputa panel' Or how Dr Alex Ekwueme singlehandedly formed and bankrolled PDP in 1998 and was in line of becoming the president before Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came on board in last minute power play.
Though, Igbos were compensated with Senate President portfolios with these men steering the ship, Senator Evan Enwerem, Senator Chuba Okadigbo, Senator Ayim Pius, Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Adolfus Nwagbara. Igbos were also given due recognition in sensitive ministries and portfolios in Military and paramilitary arm of the Government.
Hence, No decision was taken without an Igbo man.
Now, where lies the presence of OJADIKE?
Truth is bitter but we must tell ourselves the naked truth. We were sidelined and schemed out in the last 7years of Buhari's regime because we play one-sided and emotional politics. Time memorial, Igbos are dynamic and polygamous in nature via politics and it's safest.
Politics of 2023 will be a very dice one and very different from the usual game. This is the time to spread our tentacles and put our eggs in different baskets and not one for any reason.
We can't be more Catholic than the POPE, hence, let me remind my Igbo siblings, the situation in Nigeria is that without the support of other regions, it would amount to a shadow Chase for a South Easterner to be president.
I stand to be challenged if there is any Igbo Person 'Alive or Dead' who is More loved, adored and cherished than the Late Chief Chukwuemeka Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu(IKEMBA NNEWI) but surprisingly None, yet he lost the presidential election twice in this country. To make matters worst he lost in his homestate Anambra and the entire south East.
In the words of Professor Patrick Lumumba from Kenya, "My opponent didn't campaign, only shared money and he won.
I held 250 town hall meetings. I articulated solutions to our problems in my constituency. My opponent did not campaign at all. He gathered money and showed up one day to the election. He distributed money and he won.
"Africans are not moved by Ideas or Ideology, their stomach lead them." That's how bad the system is.
But for we Nigerians, becoming a president requires a good vote spread in all the geopolitical Zones especially the North. The(North) are the political denominator due to their Numerical strength since we all know Politics is a game of number.
Please may I be quoted anyday, No person can successfully win presidential election in Nigeria without a partial or full endorsement by the Northern Conglomerates.
Now listen, I admire Mr. Peter Obi but it's suicidal and political miscalculation to over depend on him in the buildup of 2023 election. We ought to have three (3) game plans Incase one cut. Let's spread our eggs in different baskets like the Yorubas do. Let's politick smartly, spread our tentacles well and support other candidates like Alhaji Atiku Abubukar so as to secure the Vice-presidential slot in PDP. We still have credible Igbo men within the party(PDP) to be recommended.
Hence, if we loose the Gold (President) we can settle on Silver (Vice-president) or even bronze.
It doesn't matter whether Labour party, APC or PDP takes us to Aso rock. What matters is the recovery of POWER. Political parties should be seen as a vehicle to acquire power. Let's not be hostile to our brothers and sisters who pitch their tent in other parties or platforms. Our major goal should be anchored on possession of power and preserving Igbo interest.
In Nutshell, Let's be liberal and accommodate other interest that differs from Peter Obi or whatever we represent, then wait till injury time of the election, then we can realign and restrategize on whom to give our Bloc votes to enable us be in the winning team.
Always remember a day is too long in Politics..
IGBO NWERE AKU-NA-UCHE!!