Dear Nairalanders;

The following was sited this morning in the online newspaper, PointBlankNews:

What is wrong with Igbo Politics in Nigeria?

Last week a powerful delegation of Igbo leaders made up of secretary to federal government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Minister of Labour & Productivity, Emeka Wogu, National Publicity Secretary PDP, Mr Olisa Metuh, Mr Ifeanyi Ubah and former Governor Peter Obi stormed Dover Hotel at Lekki Phase 1 Lagos to woo Ndigbo Lagos for President Jonathan’s 2015 presidential bid. At Dover Hotel, they met eminent and prominent Igbo leaders namely President General Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, President Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya. O. Anya, President Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, former Chairman Diamond Bank, Chief Pascal Dozie, former Governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu(rtd), former President of Nigerian Stock Exchange, Dr Raymond Obieri, Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba and President Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos, Barr Fabian Onwughalu and many other eminent Igbos in Lagos. Like I said their mission is to persuade Ndigbo in Lagos to join the train in the campaign to make President Jonathan to continue in office even after 2015. The meeting was well attended and this mission was clear: It is President Jonathan or nothing!

The Lagos mission has indeed thrown up some big questions on what Igbo agenda is in Nigeria. What does Igbo want in Nigeria? What is their strategy? What is their mission? What is their plan for Nigeria? What is their strength? What is their thinking? What is wrong with Igbo politics?

Few weeks back an Igbo youth I cannot remember his name posted a question on his Facebook page. Hear him: “Why is it that Igbo are always in the forefront to work for other people to be Presidents in Nigeria? Is it that no Igbo is good to be president of Nigeria?” He traced the days of IBB and Abacha when Chief Arthur Nzeribe and one Daniel Kanu played prominent roles to extend their tenures in office. Nzeribe went to court to stop June 12 1993 election so that IBB will continue in office. It failed: Daniel Kanu, Chief Arthur Eze, Orji Uzor Kalu, Sam Mbakwe, Onyeka Onwenu and others staged a two million man march tagged Youths Earnestly Asking for Abacha, YEAA in Abuja to get an extension of tenure for Abacha. It failed also. Of all the men that have led Ohaneze only Professor Ben Nwabueze and Dr Dozie Ikedife gave good account of themselves. Professor Irukwu sold Ohaneze to President Obasanjo’s failed third term bid for a price. The late Chief Ralph Uwechue sold Ohaneze for cash to President Jonathan in 2011. Now the current President General Ohaneze Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey has sold Ohaneze again to President Jonathan for 2015 elections. Today, like Daniel Kanu of YEAA, Ifeanyi Ubah is driving TAN for Jonathan. Now where does all this lead Igbo to? Is there anything they know that we do not know?

South East has the least number of States in Nigeria, the least number of Senators, the least number of House of Reps members, least number of State House of Assembly members, least number of Ministers at the federal level, least revenue allocation, least federal presence or Investment, least local governments, least wards and the least of everything in Nigeria. Can we conclude that Igbo worry about nothing except their stomach? Can we assume that an Igbo is not good to be president of Nigeria? Can we conclude that top Igbo Politicians lack strategy, tact and vision to think deep in matters of politics? Can we conclude that we are satisfied with the status-quo ante? Is there hope for Ndigbo in Nigeria’s Political equation? Igbo politics worries me to the marrows!

For eight years the former Governor of Anambra state, Mr Peter Obi ruled on the platform of APGA and according to him then, it was either APGA or nothing. To celebrate the late Ikemba Nnewi Chief Emeka Ojukwu, he wore his clothes everywhere he went, he erected billboards bearing his photo with Ikemba. Now few months after he left office, the bug has caught him up and he has moved to PDP, betraying the late Ikemba and APGA. Again what will you call this? Is it Politics of Ideas or what? Is it Politics of the stomach?

If Ndigbo help President Jonathan to remain in Power till 2019 where does this leave Ndigbo? By 2019 Southern Nigeria would have been in power for 18 years. Now do you think the North will just sit down to continue to be spectators in a democracy? Is this what we struggled for from 1985 to 1999? The South did not struggle for power shift to the South so as to keep it for 18 years. It will be a threat to democracy, a threat to national unity and a threat to the corporate existence of Nigeria as a political entity. This is a timely warning!

[b]As 2015 draws near, our prominent and eminent Igbo leaders do not think about the state of the nation. They are not worried about insecurity in the land. They are not worried about the tragedy in the power sector, they are not worried about outrageous corruption, impunity and mediocrity at the federal level, they are not worried about the threat to national unity, they are not worried about colossal decay of infrastructure, they are not worried about the decay in our schools and hospitals, they are not worried about Nigeria’s monumental battered image and they are not worried about Nigeria’s threatened future. There is no strategic alliance with the major ethnic groups, the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba just for the sake of Nigeria. They abuse them and call them names forgetting that they need their votes to rule Nigeria. They allow their flanks to be infiltrated for a mess of porridge. It is money for hand back for ground. It is give me money and I kill myself (Inyem ego egbuom onwem). The truth is that Igbo has been left behind in matters of Nigerian politics. There is no strong presence in PDP and no strong presence in APC, the two major parties. Igbo politics worries me to the bones![/b]

But it is not yet a hopeless case for Igbo. Things can get better if we sit down to discuss strategies and think properly. If you do not know where you are going, nobody can help you. If you do not stand for something, nobody will take you serious. If you do not love others, then they can never trust you. If you do not show some seriousness in anything you do, nobody will take you serious.

The truth is that South South and South East votes cannot make President Jonathan president again in 2015 if politics is still a game of numbers. Given the situations in the country, given the gamut of failures staring us in the face in every department in Nigerian and given the bloodshed we have recorded in the past 15 years of democracy, President Jonathan ambition to rule Nigeria for 10 years is a difficult pill to swallow.

Joe Igbokwe

Lagos

Source: http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/articles-opinions/wrong-igbo-politics-nigeria/

Food for thought.

Hmm.

P34c3
.....

Igbokwe Joe, mr pro-APC because Igbos are not supporting your lord and master Tinubu who even pay you to write this nonsense, that is why you are angry.

If your APC can guarantee Igbos of a concensus Igbo Presidential Candidiate come 2015 election, they will definately be more Pro - APCheat than you, believe me.

But the problem is the like of Tinubu (your master), Buhari, will not allow that to happen, that is why they choosed the lesser devil PDP.

#ukochukwunathesamepeople.

This man has spoken well and the truth, but his people will tag him as an enemy just because he chose not to be an hairy ANUSss licker.

LOL




better go beg Obj if una wan become president

The article is really some food for thought.

P34c3
.....

Wetin consign me for this one. Our only aim is to remotely control the economy of every region in Nigeria via PROXY

I guess an average igbo man has a price if this does not make sense to any of them.

A word is enough for the wise.

adeitoro:
Igbokwe Joe, mr pro-APC because Igbos are not supporting your lord and master Tinubu who even pay you to write this nonsense, that is why you are angry.

If your APC can guarantee Igbos of a concensus Igbo Presidential Candidiate come 2015 election, they will definately be more Pro - APCheat than you, believe me.

But the problem is the like of Tinubu (your master), Buhari, will not allow that to happen, that is why they choosed the lesser devil PDP.

#ukochukwunathesamepeople.

So you want APC to 'give' the ibos the 2015 Presidential ticket just like that.

Why must you ibos always expect others to spoon feed you? When APC made overtures to ibo politicians wasnt it only Rochas Okorocha that joined the APC camp ... And ever since he has been the target of ceaseless insults from his ibo kinsmen.

PDP on the other hand is a Northern dominated party. There are more than 12 Northern PDP Governors whereas there are only 3 ibo PDP Governors.

You have no stake in PDP, you have no stake in APC. APGA which is an ibo party is also long dead.

WHAT IS THE IBO GOOD AT ? ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, POLITICALLY, ECONOMICALLY IBO TRIBE IS NOTHING.

IBO TRIBE THOUGHT WAEC AND JAMB STATISTICS MAKE IS USE IN MEASURINF OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE . 2×2 SHOP WITH FAKE GOODS ARE USE IN MEASURING ECONOMIC ABILITY....

IBO TRIBE IS A LEARNER TRIBE IN THIS COUNTRY

You dnt understand and you will never understand. So take a hike.

500GP:
WHAT IS THE IBO GOOD AT ? ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, POLITICALLY, ECONOMICALLY IBO TRIBE IS NOTHING.

IBO TRIBE THOUGHT WAEC AND JAMB STATISTICS MAKE IS USE IN MEASURINF OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE . 2×2 SHOP WITH FAKE GOODS ARE USE IN MEASURING ECONOMIC ABILITY....

IBO TRIBE IS A LEARNER TRIBE IN THIS COUNTRY

asshole

Descartes:
Wetin consign me for this one. Our only aim is to remotely control the economy of every region in Nigeria via PROXY

.... While the economy of your region remain in tatters

when was the last time Governor Martin Elechi commissioned a 'tangible' project in Ebonyi state(does that state still exists)

abia state is now an open gutter and a big mess no thanks to the maladministration of the PDP Government of Governor Thief-Odour Orji

Arch1:
.... While the economy of your region remain in tatters

when was the last time Governor Martin Elechi commissioned a 'tangible' project in Ebonyi state(does that state still exists)

abia state is now an open gutter and a big mess no thanks to the maladministration of the PDP Government of Governor Thief-Odour Orji

Have you heard of the Rice mill in Ebonyi ?

Ibos..... Back benchers in Nigerian politics since 1967

Wat a straight 2 d point write up. U jst took d words frm my mouth. Diz wat I hv alwys bn tellin my ibo friends, d ibos hv become politically irrelevant in Nigeria. Hw they quickly sell their right to b voted for to the highest bidder stil baffles me!
Yet they keep shouting of marginalization, wat a set of pple. They hv no strong nd influential member in APC neither do they hv in PDP, yet they want president of Igbo origin. Is it dt local champion party (APGA) dt wil lead them 2 So rock?
U beta wake up

Descartes:
Have you heard of the Rice mill in Ebonyi ?

No doubt Ebonyi has the potential of becoming the leading rice producing state in Nigeria but can you in all honesty say that this potential has been fully maximised?

How would you rate the performance of Governor Martin Elechi? How have the successive PDP Governors in Ebonyi state fared since 1999?

Ebonyi is still a sleepy state with an annual IGR that is lesser than what some State Local Governments generate weekly.

I know several ibos who would rather go eke a living in the far North than go to Ebonyi state

Ibos are good at buying and selling but they suck at politics

kensto:
asshole

WAYRAY

The garrulous phool has not abated his age long ranting started in the early days on the pages of Tell and Newswatch. I truly wonder and fear for his true origins. His 'oil soup' orientation is hereby decried. Joe Igbokwe, have pity on yourself especially with regard to your double speak on the developement in your so called home state of Anambra. Let me see how you'l turn out the deputy or in fact the governor of Lagos. In the contrary, your double speak should embarrass you in these words: Mr. Joe, what do you intend to achieve vis-a-vis your political future in the Igbo context? What effort have you made to galvanise Igbo consciousness? More like being a king in hell than be servant in heaven. Rie nsi kporo nku! Shame on you! Last word; to your utmost shame, embarrassment and discomfiture, you will see how the Almighty will elevate His people, despite their admitted imperfection!
And @ Lakhadimar, may heaven have mercy on your soul!

Ibos are after their stomach

hybeenoni:
Wat a straight 2 d point write up. U jst took d words frm my mouth. Diz wat I hv alwys bn tellin my ibo friends, d ibos hv become politically irrelevant in Nigeria. Hw they quickly sell their right to b voted for to the highest bidder stil baffles me!
Yet they keep shouting of marginalization, wat a set of pple. They hv no strong nd influential member in APC neither do they hv in PDP, yet they want president of Igbo origin. Is it dt local champion party (APGA) dt wil lead them 2 So rock?
U beta wake up

Ogun state and north states are well developed? You guys should stop deceiving yourselfs, it's all about collective interests why are you guys worried since you know your votes can place GMB in Aso villa, remember since 1999 keep trying.......oh I forgot 2015 is the last chance, I wish him goodluck!

The irony of it all.
Came to lagos.
Why not Enugu?

Don't bother, igbos will alwys sell their rights for money at hand..

The future is not their problem, today an the koko for them..

U see how dem dey campaign for jona while they have no credible candidate.

It's not that they don't really have, at least, soludo/dora cld av been a worthy adversary to anybody, but they killed their ambition because some people paid some other people...

mumumugu:
Ibos are after their stomach

Ekiti, Osun and Oyo reminds me of the word "stomach" in Nigerian politics

By 2019, whether Jonathan rules till then or not, the reality will dawn on Ndigbo.

Least number of states? Yes
Least number of senators? Yes
Least number of house of rep members? Yes
Least number of LGAs? Yes
Did Jonathan cause them? Certainly no
Who has the power to create states that will lead to more senators, reps, LGAs? The National Assembly.
Now if that is the case why haven't the APC Senators whom Joe Igbokwe dies to promote helped and supported the many attempts the Igbo have made to redress the situation. If the APC loves the Igbo so much as Joe Igbokwe would want us to believe, then they should support the Igbo get one more state.

jfking2005: I guess an average igbo man has a price if this does not make sense to any of them.

They have to read it completely for it to make sense to them. But will they?

Igbos better wake up and start thinking. They must break free from the leadership and representation of their political businessmen.

500GP: WHAT IS THE IBO GOOD AT ? ACADEMICALLY, SOCIALLY, POLITICALLY, ECONOMICALLY IBO TRIBE IS NOTHING.
IBO TRIBE THOUGHT WAEC AND JAMB STATISTICS MAKE IS USE IN MEASURINF OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE . 2×2 SHOP WITH FAKE GOODS ARE USE IN MEASURING ECONOMIC ABILITY....
IBO TRIBE IS A LEARNER TRIBE IN THIS COUNTRY

Actually, they are still evolving.

[size=28pt]Even Google know it[/size]

[size=15pt]SMDH

Google must be an Ibo company[/size]

BuddahMonk:
[size=28pt]Even Google know it[/size]