NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Nigeria At 50: Any Hope In Sight?

By Engr. Steve Ochonma

My article entitled “Ahead 2011: Abia loot causes rift” which was published on this website few weeks ago, did not only strike the right cord but made some Abia politicians uncomfortable. The reasons were obvious. Meanwhile, I strongly believe that Dim Emeka Ojukwu and APGA are not the agents of change we desire and deserve neither in Igbo land nor in Nigeria. APGA is a regional party and not good enough for the Igbo cause in Nigeria. The Iboman deserves a better bargaining platform. Most of the decisions and moves the Dim and pals made between 1966-1970 were not right. They would have provided better leadership in the mist of the great challenges they faced, if they had been in touch with the realities then, and were also foresighted, and not go on an ego trip.

On the other hand, I believe Gowon and his co-horts were carried away by youthful exuberance and tribal sentiments and considerations. Their motives, actions and responses were characterized by primordial ethnic chauvinism. Again, if the parties to the Aburi meetings of January 4th and 5th, 1967 and the subsequent accord, had understood that what was on the table then (and still is today) was a national question and not a regional survival or winning or positioning strategy, and had respected resolutions reached, we all would have been better off today. But the Dim did not prove his degree in world history, when he declared quick secession instead of re-strategizing and waiting for the right time to make the right moves. Recognizing Gowon after Gowon’s explaination of the brutal murder of the then C in C and his host Fajuyi, and thereafter do what was needed at the right time, would have been a better decision. And we all saw the consequences. Yet today the issues of the past and their ghost still hurt us as a nation badly, still they are not ready to lead yet. They are obviously not ready for good leadership and governance, so why rely on them? They are making similar mistakes, as they did before. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria

Ndigbo need to be firm and formidable in a political party with national appeal. Yorubas made the mistake of playing regional politics and payed for it, before M.K.O Abiola and Obasanjo brought them into main stream and today they are better off. So why go back to regional politics. Why tow that ugly path. We must take the bull by the horns, we must earn every position in Nigeria in relation and competition to all Nigerians, and this is the right path to follow. The south-south has it today because they followed the correct path. No section of this country can go it alone, because no section is significantly ahead of the others, politically, economically or by size (population). Please, do not trust those population figures; they are obviously not a true reflection of the Nigerian realities. If you want to discover the truth and be shocked beyond imagination conduct a biometric data based census, with place of origin (tribe) as the focal issue, and this nonsense of a particular region holding the ace will evaporate like gas before a hot sun. Make no mistake about it, no section of Nigeria can go it alone, we must go with the rest. Even if we want to go our separate ways, we will decide it together.

Still on the afore-mentioned article, someone responded and asked “where are we boarding from” in reference to the call for all Abians to come on-board, my answer for now would be let’s wait a bit and see. But the following websites may give us directions; www.nigeriapmm.org, www.nigeriamasterweb.com, www.steveochonma.org, www.abiaforum.ng.org, www.organizingforabia.com, and www.organizingfornigeria.com.

Some of these sites are still being developed, so do not get frustrated if you can’t assess them yet. Now, let me also state humbly that i see some credible candidates in Abia for 2011. Certainly, I am one, Chief Charles Okereke is another and I believe Chief Ikechi Emenike, Mr. Uzoma Azogu, Sir Alex Ottih of first bank, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and a few others, are there too. But whether or not any of these people will run and how much they can raise for the campaigns will be determined by the political realities in Nigeria today. At the national level, I believe the issue of zoning should not only be rejected but also the discussions discontinued.

Let us ask all candidates respective of areas of origin to unviel their visions, missions and plans for us, to enable us determine whom we will give our mandate to in 2011. We are waisting too much time and energy on the non- important issue of presidency- by- allocation. I believe President Goodluck Jonathan has started well, though i see “ the voice of Jacob but the hand of Esau” in his presidency, so far. Again he has this tendency, which he has utilized to his advantage for long, to stay calm and still in the presence of ills. Though he may not be corrupt himself, he had condoned the excesses of his bosses, in order to be seen as loyal. He should have spoken out at least or resigned in some instances. But the forgoing not withstanding, he has good motive for Nigeria and the capacity, and vision to excel if given the opportunity, in 2011. ( Continues below…… )

Photo Above: Nigerians line-up to vote during election, while a cattle herder remains on his normadic job with his herd.

President Jonathan must tackle seriously such issues of urgent national importance as monumental corrupt practices in the Nigeria police, the Military, especially those on joint mission with police in the Niger Delta, South East and elsewhere, who engage in broad day robbery and public extortion, and again amongst the political class, in areas of outright treasury looting through phonzy schemes and award of contracts. Again the issue of power generation and distribution, geunine Electoral Reforms, Authentic biometric data based Voters Register, Guranteed infrastructural developments, amongst others, before the election, if he desires to run and win next year without rigging himself in. I will write a letter shortly to Mr President to furnish him with information on the level of insecurity, lawlessness, looting and extortions within the political class and security operatives in the South East and South-South, and how the security personnels in these regions, both old and newly posited, collaborate with robbers and kidnappers to terrorize the people there. Also I will let the President see why it is wrong to give an award be it local, national or international to people just because the occupy high public positions, even when they have not performed.

The recent national honours conferred on the former speaker of the house of reps., some present public office holders including the police I.G, commerce and industry minister, senators, federal ministers, etc, is an insult to Nigerians. What was the basis and yardsticks for these awards. As the first Nigerian PhD holder to assume the presidency, we expect a clear departure from the failed leadership style of the past, but so far we have seen just very little from him in that regard. He seem to be maintaining the status quo. Obviousy, Mr President is not the best candidate in the political ring today. We need men of higher intellectual and perceptional capacity, and judgement at the presidency of the 21st century Nigeria.

Professor Pat. Utomi and a few others posses these pedigree and should do better. Mr. Donald Duke is certainly in a class of potentail great leaders and therefore may not disappoint the nation, if elected. But he will have hard time explaining to us how he became so rich in government. He is a product of the corrupt military and political class of 1990’s and 2000’s. Though Governors Babatunde Fashola and Chibuike Amechi are fisrt term governors, they have made tremendous marks on our political landscape. Fashola certinly is a man for tommorrow, not today. If keep his cool and continues his laudable projects in Lagos, he will go places, sooner than later. Gov. Amechi on the other hand needs to re-adjust his binoculars. Amechi has the tendency to be arrogant and disrespectful, and has exhibited this, time after time, and again he has a lot of tribal and fraternal attachments that may weigh him down when the time comes. He is certainly not using the best hands around to execute his projects and programmes. Most of his building and road projects are obviously poorly done.

Political patronage rather than professionalism definitly is the motive behind those contracts. Like “they” would say “we don’t want to give jobs to or empower those who will tommorrow use the money from our jobs to fight us.’ But they forget that these are State’s money and not theirs. Senator Ken Nnamani has been tested and found capable, he may be a good material for the presidency. Also senator Ayim Pius Ayim possess the fear of God that is rear today within the political class, so should be a big fish in the Nigeria waters. Vice President Namadi Sambo is a technocrat and carries himself well and therefore should deliever, but he needs to know that corruption can distroy a man faster than he struggled to climb. Retired AIG Nuhu Ribadu has proved himself worthy, though he needs to overcome youthful exuberance and zeal and get matured for a place of such importance. Mallam El-Rufai needs time and another opportunity to rewrite the ills of FCT days before he can be trusted again. But he is a good guy who slipped on the ladder of nepotism. He didn’t have to climb it, but he did. What a pity. Former President Babangida and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar have looted enough and should be greatful to be enjoying the air of freedom still. General Buhari (rtd) is a gentleman to the core, a tested and proven leader, he is one of the rear breeds of the military, so he should be a hot cake in the political market. But his military background and non-strategic political moves may undermine his chances. For me he is good enough for the presidency. The present SSG of the federation, nay, of Nigeria, for there is nothing federation in our union as it stands today, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed is a presidentail materia and maybe one of the finest today from the North.Professor Bath Nnaji has the right credentails for the job and should be given an opportunity. ( Continues below..... )

Chief Emeka Anyaoku has the requisite experience and exposure required today to move Nigeria forward, but age is definitely not in his favour for a 21st century presidency. Senator David Mark is a true Nigerian, accommodative and has done well as senate president, so he has no reason not to do better as president. Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, though not a politician has all it takes to give Nigeria world class leadership, he should be encouraged to run, if not in 2011 but soon.

I can’t understand why someone like that has never been nominated for a federal cabinet position nor asked to run for Governor. I don’t know of any Abian today that has better pedigree and credentails than Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa for the office of Governor. I suggest that He make himself available for that position in 2011. His time for that position may elapse after 2011. The world bank managing Director, Mrs Ngozi Okonji- Iweala is a gift to Abia, Delta and Nigeria. She has the capacity and intergrity to lead either Abia or Nigeria. But I know she may not fancy the idea of leaving such exalted position at the world bank to run for Governor of Abia. Her place may be at the presidency.

If Ngozi Okonji-Iweala and Sam Ohuabunwa would not run for governor in 2011, then let’s file behind people like Chief Ikechi Emenike, Chief Charles Okereke, Sir Alex Ottih or any other honorable man or woman, to give Abia good governance. There are so many other credible Nigerians and Abians that can bring the change we yearn for and need in 2011, whom we cannot particularly mention herein owing to time and space constraints, but whom we will present to Nigerians at www.nigeriapmm.org before the elections, to see, judge, adopt and vote for.

Now back to the comments that were generated there, from that article: Ahead 2011- Abia loot causes political rift. There were many of them, but one by one so-called Onu Otile needed to be responded to here. Just like he claimed his name is, he is truly “onu-otile” Mr Onu Otile had stated therein “my dear Ochonma, you are but a drop of water in a political ocean and you can only make a tum noise,” He went further to insinuate that I was writing for PDP’s interest. Again Mr. Otile posited that APGA and Dim Emeka Ojukwu would bring the change we crave for in 2011, not just in Abia State but in the entire five South Eastern states.

Mr. Otile is certainly among the few disillusioned persons in Igboland today, who are not only politically naive, out-of-touch with present day realities, but also a supporter of the status quo in Abia. They forget that little drops of water make the ocean, as the saying goes. Again, Mr. Otile forgets that change does not just happen by themselves. They are caused to occur. There must be agents of change. And these are those who are not cynical, those who are not bought over and those who will maintain their courage and integrity, regardless. Mr. Otile and his pals forget that change means a shift from status quo. And that T.A., OUK, Paul, PPA and such wanted criminals in Abia represent our ugly immediate past. They certainly represent all we need and want to change, not just in Abia but in Nigeria too. Onu Otile, as he called himself, is not bold enough to mention his real name, he prefers to masqueared and hide in the dark, because his works are evil. Otile forgets that Dim Emeka and APGA have just opened their living rooms to welcome and hide a confirmed rogue. And in this case, they are all accomplices to those crimes against the state of Abia. So what kind of change will those rogues bring and for whom. Certainly not the kind we need and yearn for today both in abia and in Nigeria. They have looted Abia and therefore deserve only a change of environment: from freedom to incarceration. We should therefore not hesitate to give them passports to prison as they rightly deserve. But solitary confinement alone is not good enough. They should be made to return all their loots first, so we could use same to give Abians what was denied them for this long. ( Continues below….. )

Photo Above: Nigerian Flag

It is therefore on this note that I agree with Mr. Obioma’s comment, on that same article, that those who are thinking that because T.A has gone to APGA, good things will come to Abia, are fools. Nothing can be far-fetched than that. It is without doubt a lie. APGA is a mere political creation of Man. APGA like any other party is controlled by men. And men’s activities are determined by their value systems. If T. A. likes let him join PDP, as he is likely to sooner or later, he will still have nothing to offer to Abia. Certainly, these men who were at the helm of affairs for the past eleven years plus, have very poor value systems. They represent the retrogressive and centrifugal forces that held the Abia project down for too long. You can not be a part of that kind of monumental looting and raping for II years plus and just wake up one morning to start preaching sanctimonious sermons. Such sermons are not only deceitful but insulting too. You needed to have apologized first, and then return all your loots, as a sign of genuine repentance and goodwill, before asking for our vote. You are insulting the intelligence of Abia voters. Do first thing first. Then and only then will Abians take you seriously. Jumping from one political Party to the other will not cover you.

Paul was commissioner for works and earned salaries and other emoulments for years, in addition to his own loots and yet he rendered no service whatsoever to Abia. No road was constructed, repaired or maintained, if they ever did, it ws insignificant and not commensurate with funds available, during this period under review. He never disagreed with his masters and did not resign voluntarily in protest but enjoyed the loot together with his bosses while it lasted. Now he too has jumped to AC or ACN and is preaching his own sermon now, “AC, only hope for Liberation.” what is Paul’s pedigree to desire to run for office of governor? How dare he talk of liberation, why did he not revolt or at least talk against the evil that went on for eleven whole years in Abia? He never opposed it, in fact, he benefited immensely from it and now he talks about liberation. What an insult. From whom or what is he liberating Abia, from himself or those like him? We know those who are wolves in sheep’s skin, and we will not be fooled this time around.

They can rejoin PDP, AC, APGA or any other party, for all I care. They conspired to destroy Abia, they conspired to de-roof Abia house, and now, they seek shelther in the same house, simply because the heat and rains are descending on them heavily. They de-rooted the Abia house; now let the rain drench them terribly. This is the consequences for their individual and collective actions. And mark my words, ‘nmeri ga ama ha nile.’ Make no mistake about that. He that sowed wind shall reap whirlwind. This is the law of nature. Now their harvest is just beginning.

Let me reiterate here that I am not a PDP member as at today. I have never belonged to any political party or movement in Nigeria before now. I am active and a contributory member of President Barack Obama’s organizing for America group. I co-signed the health care bill with him like any other member of that group. But I am a Nigerian and believe that we need to replicate what is happening in America here in Nigeria now. I am open to any political association or relationship that will best serve the interest of the majority of Nigerians. I don’t belong to the elites club and have never benefited from corrupt political class in Nigeria or elsewhere. So I can with good conscience do what I have to do, without fear or favour to anyone. I will join a party at the appropriate time and will make a different in whatever capacity I am mandated to serve, be it on an elective or appointive basis.

Yes, I have political ambition, because I believe that things are this bad in Nigeria today because there are not enough good men in our political rings. We can not sit on the fence and just keep critisizing. We must be willing to sacrifice to make our state and country better, for all.

The Nigeria political environment of 2010 and beyond is such that we should be looking beyond parties, to individual who can deliver, no matter their political inclinations. Credibility and integrity must come first. Some people have suggested that APGA will do well if given the opportunity in the east. Such persons have cited the case of Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State to buttress their point. I cannot say for certain whether Obi is a success or not in government yet. It may be too early to conclude that. But like it or not, Obi was a successful businessman before joining politics, so if he fails in government I will be puzzled a great deal. T.A, OUK, Ohakim and so many others like them do not enjoy such pedigree as Obi. So it would be wrong to equalt Obi’s performance to APGA’S. There is simply no basis for such. This is also true of Lagos and Rivers governors. They are succeeding because they came with vision and mission. But this cannot be said of majority of the governors and political leaders in Nigeria too.

I am not a pastor or a prophet but let me predict based on my physic abilities, talents and experience that the game is up for those criminals in Abia. They knew that much themselves. Running back to PDP to seek the vice presidency or any other political relevance will not work. If the mission to go back to PDP was to hide under its umbrella, to run away from your crimes, you will be ulterly disappointed. 2011 is the “doomsday” for you all.

The PDP canopy may be large but it is certainly not big enough to hide all those criminals seeking it for cover. Like the police would say ’better come out and surrender’. The earlier the better. We need all that loots back to develop our state. You cannot run away from your crimes for too long.

To all Abians of goodwill, I say congregations, because our set time has come. Our time for change, liberation and quantum leaps has come. The Omnipotent has answered our prayers. All the night vigils for years have not been in vain. The miraculous will take place in 2011. The lion has roared, who will not fear, and the Lord God has spoken, who will but prophesy. Truly when the Omnipotence speaks the miraculous does take place. But who has believed our report and to whom is the Lord’s arms revealed?

Rejoice and be glad Nigerians for our God reigns and rules over the affairs of Nigeria. The Satans Eden built by those evil men will be turn down. All people of goodwill in Abia state, hold on, faint not, help is on the way. To all Nigerians of goodwill, hold on, help is on the way. I see a silverlining in the sky and I know the sun will arise on your behalf for good. Watch out for the people candidates for 2011 on www.nigeriapmm.org. For those who are still fearful and therefore keep silent because of probable evil that will be targetted at them, let me encourage you as Peter did in 1Peter 3:14-17 ‘ And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good, but if you suffer for goodness sake, be happy and not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, for it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing.’ Follow Nigerians, hold on and faint not, help is on the way. Till next time,

With loyalty and humility,

Yours in national service,

Engr. Steve Ochonma

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*Tags: Nigerians, Political, 50, Hope, Abuja, Lagos, Africa, Masterweb