“They came forth to war, but they always fell”. James Macpherson, 1736-1796.
James Macpherson was the grandfather of Sir John Macpherson the second to the last Governor General of Nigeria under colonial rule. Governor Macpherson handed over to Sir James Robertson who eventually became our last British ruler. As the saying went in those days, “the British established the empire in a fit of absent-mindedness but it took the Scottish people, like Macpherson and Robertson, to make it work”. That was while it lasted.
The sun started setting on the British Empire when India became independent in 1949. Many of us who knew what good governance was under colonial rule, up to October 1, 1960, would seriously not mind if the British will once more take over this country. There is hardly any old geezer alive on that day who would not vote to return the country to Britain in free referendum.
File Photo: South East Group meeting with the President at the State House, Abuja, July 2010.
However, I do not intend to go into a long history of the various failed attempts by our brothers and sisters in the South East to present and stand solidly behind a candidate since the great Zik of Africa made his last attempt in 1983. My focus is on more current issues. And my position is based on three cardinal beliefs I have held about the Igbo and the quest for the presidency.
First, the Igbo have never overwhelmingly supported one candidate. Second, there are too many political mercenaries whose only goal in life is to be given appointment as Ministers, Special Advisers or as Directors of Federal parastatals.
Third, Ndigbo has never been tenacious enough about its quest for the presidency. Together these factors have placed the third largest ethnic group in a position where, if care is not taken, its earliest chance for the presidency might not come until 2015 when the winner of the 2007 elections finishes his tenure. And, if the PDP wins, the South-South is already poised to become the favoured zone. And that means waiting until 2023.
Only god knows how many of those alive today and active in politics can look forward to living as long as that. Yet, the matter of Igbo presidency remains one of the nation’s unfinished agenda because it will have healed the remaining wounds left from the civil war of 1967-1970. Every honest and patriotic Nigeria must ask the question: “When will it be the Igbos’ turn?”
It was with that question in mind, while bearing in mind all the three reasons which I believe have impeded Igbo presidency, that the recent developments with regard to the selection of Governor Orji Kalu engaged my mind. So, it was encouraging that after all the palaver over who Ndigbo will support, the major Igbo groups have settled on Governor Orji Uzo Kalu. His selection over Professor Pat Utomi, certainly one of the best presidential materials ever, can be justified on two grounds.
First Utomi had never seen himself as the “Igbo candidate” preferring instead to be seen as a “detribalized” Nigerian. That posture might have its merits under other circumstances, but given the ethnical jungle, called Nigeria, and the succession arithmetic above ( i.e 2015; then 2023 etc ) that is a posture which the Igbos can ill-afford in their campaign. They need as the candidate someone who will tell the rest of Nigeria: “Enough is enough”. And despite his known and unknown demerits as a candidate, that is what Orji Kalu had been telling the country since 2000. So, at this point in time Ndigbo needs a candidate like him.
Second, if indeed the Ohanaze Ndigbo and the other Igbo groups had chosen Utomi as their flag bearer, most probably a lot of non-Igbo people now supporting him would have walked out. Either way it was not in his interest to seek the endorsement. And it was probably a blessing in disguise that he did not get it. The Pat Utomi I know is not cut out for that role.
Now with the selection of Kalu as their presidential flag-bearer, the Igbo would appear to have fulfilled the first requirement for a successful onslaught on the presidency. However, there is still a lot of work to be done even on that score. There must be total mobilization of Igbo votes nationwide; in every state and local government including ward level; in order to send a powerful statement to the rest of the country – even if Kalu does not win this time. Even if eighty per cent of all Igbo votes were cast for Kalu, it might take the presidential election to the second ballot and make Igbos the people to determine who becomes president. And from that standpoint they can exact the sort of concessions that would change the arithmetic in their favour.
The second and the third reasons for past failure are more difficult to address. But, they must be faced fully if the years of the Igbo in the wilderness of power will not extend beyond 2023. The question is: How?
(The above article was published in 2003 and it has become a perennial ritual of the Igbos every four years when people begin to beat drums of election activities)
LOST IN ACTION: IGBOBI COLLEGE 1958-62 SET
“We miss you”. Segun George, Papa Sagoe, Biodun Doherty, Babs Akin-Johnson, Oriyomi Benson etc.
It was exactly 50 years in December since we left Igbobi College after completing form five. As we are getting ready to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we have been trying in vain to locate some of our classmates. Some have left us permanently, and may their souls rest in eternal peace. To the best of our knowledge these were: Ademola Adesina, Layiwola Adewole, Yinka Fadipe, O. Olisa, Ayo Ositelu, Femi Solanke and Niyi Willoughby.
However those who have disappeared without trace include: Ayo Aitalegbe; Femi Awoyomi; Folorunsho Abiodun; Layiwola Bamidele; Deinde Green; Derin Idowu; Damola Martins; Tony Onyeahara; Femi Ogunbanjo; Idahosa Ordia; Bisi Sotunbo; and Segun Owolabi. They are all either close to 70 or just 70 and above. Ask whoever you can trace to get in touch.
Dead or alive, any information about the whereabouts of these old Igboians will be highly appreciated. I am the unofficial Record Keeper for the class. Thank you.
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