IS IT A POLITICAL SUN SET FOR THE IGBOS?

Written by Lucas Anuforo 

Email: peter.lemachi@yahoo.com
Dublin, Ireland

"The strength and power of a country depends absolutely on the quantity of good men and women in it."...John Ruskin

"Great countries are those that produce great people."... Benjamin Disraeli

It is sad to note that Ndigbo are losing their track in the nation's political setting. This has been tailored by those who parade themselves as Igbo political leaders who never had the welfare of the people in mind but rather they are on mission of selfish and inordinate goals.

The post independent saw the Igbos at the fore front of the country's political spectrum. The likes of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, Dr. Kingsley Ozurumba Mbadiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Mazi Mbonu Ojike (blessed memories) and host others who illuminated the political scene both at regional and the national level during the 1960s/1970s will never be forgotten. They were goal getters, political giants and juggernauts who exhibited great jingoism that shaped the annals of the nation's political history.

Despite disenchantment expressed by Ndigbo; on Zik's stands during the 1967 Nigeria/ Biafra civil war but thereafter; the Igbos still see Zik as a leader, a nationalist and as an icon. The clear testimony of it was during his second coming in politics in 1979 Ndigbo rallied round and supported his party the Nigerian People's Party (NPP) which the party won in three states: Imo, Anambra and Plateau state. Both Zik and Mbadiwe exhibited different political persona, ideology and charisma and more so they were tenacious in characters.

In as much as Zik and Mbadiwe did not agree in some political issues but assiduously they were able to find a common ground in championing the interest of the Igbo nation. These patriots were able to steer the ship of the Igbo political odyssey to a point but not to its final destination before they were called to glory.

However the Nigeria/ Biafra civil war brought into the limelight of a dogged warrior Chief Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu who fought hard to emancipate his people from the oppressive federal hands. The war was a pogrom and ethnic cleansing masterminded and executed by the Nigerian government. After 30 months struggle the Biafrans budged and surrendered; which marks the end of 30 months hostility and thereafter the lip- service of "No victor No vanquish" was declared by the federal government. Till present day; Ndigbo have been on suspicious watch list and have not been trusted with sensitive responsibilities in the nation political affairs because they lost the war and became personae non gratae.

Even as Ojukwu returned back from exile in 1982 through Presidential pardon by President Shehu Shagari he never relented or daunted in fighting the course of the wellbeing of Igbo nation. He had severally advised the Igbo entrepreneurs and businessmen to go back to the east and invest.

The Israelis did it in 1948 when they turned the arid desert-land into a fertile and viable land and became a giant agricultural producing nation. Because they were enterprising and good in commerce just like the Igbos that was why they could achieve this. Today Israel is among the industrialized economies. Their achievements were embedded on self determination and being honest to themselves. Despite all hostilities among its Arab neighbours Israel still emerged strong as a regional power in the Middle- East today when Israel sneeze the whole of the Middle-East catch cold.

Ojukwu altered the course of Nigerian history in profound ways. He was a brave soldier, civilly and a great thinker. These breeds of politicians set the political bar to a great height and were able to represent the people honourably. They were passionate about the Igbo tribe and were ready to die for the course.

Today; the current generation of Igbo politicians have lost their bearing they no longer represent the interest of the people but instead; they only care for their stomach, their families and cronies. The administration of late Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe the former governor of Imo State in the second republic (1979- 1983) witnessed a repertoire of transformation of the state both economically and Industrially.

Mbakwe served his people with honesty, probity, sincerity, and accountability. During his regime the State had a good sanitation policy and was at the fore-front as the cleanest State in Nigeria. The rationales behind his quality leadership were characterized on self commitment, determination and discipline. Mbakwe was another great Igbo leader which posterity will never forget. He was an illustrious son of Igbo nation. As the days go by these breeds of politicians goes towards extinction, unfortunately they look irreplaceable and hard to find.

It is very regrettable that; Ndigbo no longer feel for each other especially those who represent the interest of the masses, the governors, senators, Reps and other political appointees after having the people's mandates their interest no longer count. The current Igbo political leaders have failed on their duties as custodians of the people. Unfortunately there's no love within the Igbos. There is lack of cohesion amongst the five eastern states. This was evident in 2012 when the former governor of Abia State Theodore Orji sacked all Imo State indigenes working in Abia. This ruthless action of his resulted in the death of many of the victims due to frustration and heartbreak. Governor Fashola followed suit by deporting some Igbo indigenes to their various states. The action of these men breeds hatred and also defines the moral erode, defenceless, less protective and venerability on the nation's constitution.

It is only in Nigeria that a governor of a state can twist a law to his taste unlike in the western world where laws are observed and obeyed and the state executive is accountable to the electorates. According to Isaac Asimov who said "It is obvious that bigotry was never a one-way operation that hatred bred hatred." And James A Baldwin also made it clear that "Hatred, which could destroy so much, never failed to destroy the man who hated, and this was an immutable law."

Ndigbo should wake up and face the realities and challenges of the future. They should shun the politics of greed, self aggrandizement, hatred and love of money. The last concluded general election was a narrative on how the Igbo are becoming less relevant in the nation's affairs. They are no longer the cynosure in the country's political theatre.

The Yoruba and Hausa have shown more political maturity by coming together to oust the PDP led government reason because they have political parties they call theirs. Before the demised of Ojukwu he worked so hard to secure a political party the Igbo extracts could have call theirs the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)but today things are no longer at ease with the party. Everyone have gone wired in their own way in search for self goal. Peter Obi the former governor of Anambra State was the last man standing who FINALLY bowed out and joined his colleagues in the millionaire Party (PDP). Today PDP is like a sinking ship who knows the next party Peter Obi would pitch his tent.

Though it is said that in politics there's no permanent friend or enemy but politics should also be played with conscience and integrity. The sleazily attitude developed by the Igbo political leaders now raises questions on the type of legacy they will leave behind or have our political leaders caught up with syndrome of "follow- follow" which is never in our identity. Right from onset; Igbo tribe has been known to be enterprising, hardworking; unity, love, accommodative, innovative and industrious. And whatever goal they set their minds to achieve they will always succeed.

For Igbo politicians to continue to be relevant in the country's political affairs they should put their acts together and stop being used as poster boys by Hausas and the Yorubas. The last general election results proved that Igbo are not indispensible and they can do without because these two tribes have decided to move on irrespective of whose cow is gored. If Ndigbo fail to embrace and establish love within themselves they will continue to play second fiddle as far as Nigerian politics is concern. They will only get the money but not the leadership until they come back home and put their house in order.

2019 would soon be around the corner Ndigbo will start again to agitate for another illusive seat of the presidency knowing quite well that the Hausas and the Yoruba are the king makers who have orchestrated the power sharing system in a clandestine way for the next 50 years.

The Igbo politicians should realize that "a mission without a vision is an illusion." God bless Ndigbo the Land of the Rising Sun!

Lucas Anuforo is a Freelance Journalist