(Opinion): The Igbo Political Class Must Grow Above Self – Okwadike

It is often said, in this country, that lgbo politicians are not daring, bold, enduring or strong enough, at the centre stage of Nigerian politics, especially when it comes to bargaining or getting things done for the common good of their people. That they lack the political will power, courage and foresight, required to know when to rise above self and take important decisions or political risks that could ensure that their people are not relegated in the Nigerian politics, may not be farfetched or evident in the ongoing controversy among the major players.

We believe that when strict, rigid  adherence or emotional attachment to a particular course or style of doing things or playing politics for that matter, have failed to move us forward, as a people, adjustments and changes must be made, in the interest of the people. Why we must hold tenaciously or stand firmly, but hopelessly with what continues to fail us, remains amazing to discerning minds in the region.

We must move from the outdated position of stereotyping, condemning, castigating or name calling, to being accommodating of our compatriots who boldly take a step further or a stand different from ours.

Ever since partisan politics started in Nigeria, available records indicate that the other regions or races have been mostly together when necessary, bargained stronger and better for their races, but took bold steps to try the other side, whenever they considered it wiser or in their best interest to do so. Though there had always been some descending voices, but they were, of course, always subdued by the majority.

We sincerely believe, with so much or strong evidence to show, that, Gov Umahi, as Chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum and by extension, the political leader of the region, is not an ordinary politician that can be used, discountenanced or pushed around. He, therefore, must have had his founded, good reasons to defect at this time. After very successful 2 elected tenures of soon to be 8 years, as an effective governor of Ebonyi state, with so much achievements and fulfilling legacies, he could have as well retired from active politics, as am sure he had contemplated, with no regrets whatsoever. But he chose to remain and play it at a different level for the larger interest of the Southeastern people. We hail his courage.

We urge sound political minds, major stakeholders and leaders, of lgbo extraction, to exercise great care in their choice of words to describe the situation and try not to be hasty in passing wrong information or judgments that could cause tomorrow’s regrets or failures because other regions are watching.

We, as Ndi lgbo, need to put our acts together to avoid putting our eggs in one basket or by constantly going left when others are going right. We must identify and agree to follow a true, serious, courageous, fearless, selfless, humane, God fearing, committed, tested and proven leadership, one who will not mislead us, as a people or fight for their selfish gains. When we look at our present crop of political leaders, we must find one amongst them, who has almost all the qualities stated above and has served the people meritoriously well. With that, we can be sure of being in the main stream of Nigerian politics and not playing outside the box always. A journey of a thousand miles, starts with one bold step, they say.

Majority of lgbos, spread across the southeast, Nigeria and in the diaspora, believe that Gov Umahi is a person of interest and are watching developments with keen interest. A situation that has the political class of lgbo extraction, fighting in the social media over the defection of one of them to another political party, negates what free democracy is all about and, to say the least, leaves so much to be desired. As the social media fight rages on, some states in the southeast, see no development at all and the same politicians are not asking why, but are busy attacking Gov Umahi, a leader considered to be leading by all development indices, sends shock waves across the region.

The situation of federal infrastructure in lgboland today, are to say the least, very pathetic. If lgbos of the Southeast, who voted massively for the PDP over the years, fared or were treated well in the about 17 combined years of OBJ, Ya’ardua and GEJ, as was claimed by Gov Umahi, it is nothing hidden for anyone to see. Contesting that as either not being factual or not an enough reason to leave a political party, found to be responsible for such a situation, is for lack of a stronger word, unpatriotic.

Okwadike.

Igbo Patriotic Front, IPF