General Collin Powell tells me that “A dream does not become reality
through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work” John Lennon
also tells me that “Being honest may not get you many friends but it will
always get you the right ones” My people, the biggest political news in
Nigeria today is the massive movement of Igbo political leaders into APC.
From Enugu to Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Abia the story is the same – APC
all the way. Now what did they see? Why this unprecedented movement? Did
they just wake up from the slumber? Did they learn anything different
today? Are there emerging tendencies they suddenly discovered? What are
those emerging tendencies? Why APC now? What are the political
calculations? Will it be beneficial to Igbo and Nigeria as a political
entity? Can this move reintegrate Igbo into the mainstream proper? There
are other many questions that bother me.
In 2015, few of us appealed to Igbo Nation to join APC because we know PDP
will die because of corruption and impunity and what did they do? They
abused us and called us names like saboteurs, traitors and betrayers. My
name became Joe Yorubakwe, Joe Hausakwe etc. Today they are lining up to
join APC. Last year I wrote an article that I want to the IGBO nation play
opposition politics for at least 20 years and hell was let loose. They
nearly sent me to the gallows. Now see IGBO politicians trying to outdo
one another to join APC. This is unbelievable! So APC is no longer Boko
Haram Party, Hausa/ Fulani Party or Yoruba party? Why did it take us this
long to discover the truth? When Yoruba and Hausa/ Fulani formed APC, did
we not know that the game is over in 2015? I welcome my brothers and
Sisters into APC because of one man called, Senator Ken Nnamani, a great
son of Igboland,a decent man, very intelligent, honorable, wise, cerebral,
sensible, honest, and truthful. When they descended on me it was only
Senator Ken Nnamani that consoled me. No wonder he is now the South East
leader of APC. Do not forget that it was Senator Ken Nnamani as the
President of the Senate that led the onslaught that killed the Obasanjo’s
third term agenda. God is not unjust! He chooses whom to lift up and who
to bring down!
Today history has taught me that every leader writes his own history
through his own actions, deeds and choices he makes. I have also learnt
from history that all the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the
light of one candle. It is always good to follow the majority in a
democracy but it is always good also to listen to the voices of the
minority because the majority can be wrong and foolish. Afterall, those
who crucified Jesus Christ were in the majority.
The rest is now history but the lessons are there for the Igbo leadership.
Proper analysis, permutations and calculations in any issue that concerns
Nigeria, Igbo and other Nigerians should be strictly adhered to. Jumping
into serious political decisions with heads, hands, legs, mouths, ears,
eyes etc portends grave danger for the Igbo commonwealth. The decision to
support Jonathan in 2015 to rule Nigeria for 10years when Obasanjo had
done 8years was a terrible decision that was at once potentially dangerous
for Nigeria corporate existence. The permutation that an incumbent cannot
be defeated in Nigeria was an attack on history and civilization. The lazy
and timid assumption that Jonathan would hand over to Igbo in 2019 if he
had won the 2015 was a celebration of mediocrity and poor understanding of
the dynamics of Nigerian politics. Like I said the rest is now history.
This piece is just for record purposes.
Now let me use this medium to appreciate men like Governor Rochas
Okorocha, Dr Chris Ngige, George Moghalu, Osita Okechukwu, Osita Izunaso,
The Igbo Conscience(TIC) the late Chukwuma Azikiwe, and few others. Thank
you for accepting all the abuse. Governor Rochas Okorocha was the biggest
victim of this assault. I appreciate Rochas for taking the heat with
courage, power, love and a sound mind.
My advice to Igbo: please work with other Nigerians to make sure the North
complete its 8years as adopted in 1999 for equity, justice and fair play.
We must begin now to position ourselves for 2023. Igbo Presidency in 2023
must never be negotiated away again the way we did in 2011 with Jonathan.
Old ways will not open new doors. The difference between an animal in the
bush and human being is education not money. The future belongs to be
efficient.
Joe Igbokwe
Lagos