Cry Not for The Igbos

The 2015 general election might be over but it has indelible footprints in the annals of history. Historians will continue to make reference to 2015 as a year that redefined Nigeria’s political voyage, taking into considerations landmark successes recorded during the course of this noble exercise and the entrenchment of democratic principles in the polity. It is no longer news that President Goodluck Jonathan of PDP, gallantly lost to General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress, who is now the President-Elect. Congratulations to the nation’s indefatigable presidentelect, who defiled all the hurdles placed on his way to emerge as the nation’s democratically -elected president. But a million congratulations should go to President Goodluck Jonathan who made it possible for the long-silenced voice of Nigerians to be heard now by creating an enabling environment that enabled our votes to count, by providing Professor Attahiru Jega’s led INEC adequate resources and true independence it required to deliver the much-needed free and fair elections. President Jonathan engraved his name in gold when he made that historic call to congratulate Gen. Buhari, which secured the much needed post-election peace in the country. This courageous step has not only deepened our democracy, but has set the pace for losers in the just concluded governorship and state assembly polls to congratulate the winners.

The story of 2015 general elections would not be complete without mentioning the roles played by Igbos in deepening Nigeria’s democracy. I was inspired to write this piece when I came across articles written for the sole purpose of portraying Igbos as being politically naïve for throwing their weight behind President Jonathan. Some of the so-called voodoo analysts described Igbos as a race wallowing in “political wildernesses” because of their massive and formidable support for President Jonathan. Unfortunately, all these baseless and ignoble attacks on Igbo nation for making their choice were borne out of sheer ignorance of what truly defines an Igbo man or woman. These media tigers pouring venoms on Igbo race are simply bereft of the reasons why Igbos voted for Jonathan. Igbos voted for justice, equity and freedom, not Jonathan. Fortunately for him, he represented the three main reasons why Igbos voted for PDP in bloc. President Jonathan did a lot to heal the wounds of civil war which endeared him to the Igbos; he gave Igbos a sense of belonging by integrating them both politically and economically into the nation’s centrifugal equation of governance. He made Igbos understand that this country belongs to all of us, irrespective of our places of birth, tribe and religion. I can say it authoritatively without mincing words that Igbos will still vote for Jonathan a thousand times again without regrets if he chooses to contest again in the near future; as long as we continue to sense that scent of justice, equity and freedom in him. Anyone accusing Igbos of being gullible for voting for justice and self-emancipation in the name of Jonathan, is either drowning in the ocean of naivety or wandering in the desert of illusions, which is the hallmark of a person crying more than the bereaved.

Most of the self-righteous opinion writers are of the school of thought that it would be difficult for an Igbo man to govern a heterogeneous nation like Nigeria based on the current political permutations. Unfortunately for them, an average Igbo person is productive, progressive, industrious, self-determined, republican in nature; and independent of government at the centre to survive. This explains why Igbo has remained the most adventurous nation in the entire black race, which positioned them

The absence of a government in a nation -state will lead to an anarchic situation as some bad people will tyrannise and oppress other people for sundry reasons. Government performs many functions, namely the protection of our lives and property, provision of social amenities for the citizens, formulation and implementation of policies, and other things. The existence of government in nation – states dates back to many centuries ago. And it was the Greek people that founded and popularised democracy, which is the most popular type of government in today’s world. Now, from Europe to America, from Africa to Asia, democracy is the most acceptable type of government. But before the coming of the white imperialists to Africa, kingdoms on the African continent had their diverse types of pre-colonial governments. But the white colonizers dethroned those governments and planted democracy in Africa.

Democratic governance, which has taken roots in African as the engine propelling Nigeria’s economic development. It is an irrefutable assertion that Lagos State as the economic capital of Nigeria attained this enviable status because of economic dexterity and investment prowess of the wise men of the East who migrated to the city of excellence in search of greener pasture as a result of their metropolitan nature and adventurous spirit.

Political power or not, Igbo nation would continue to thrive, survive and progress in any countries, is blooming. After decades of experiencing political conflicts, some African countries have achieved political stability. Liberia and Sierra Leone readily come to my mind. In Nigeria, the most populous Black Country in the world, the people(s) of that country have been enjoying 16 years of unbroken democratic governance. One civilian regime has succeeded another without the country descending into political conflagration. Surprisingly, in 2015, an incumbent President lost his presidential re-election bid. Before now, it was an unprecedented happening in our political annals. But instead of clinging to power, as people expected him to do, he congratulated his political opponent before the winner was announced by the country’s national electoral body. Our country averted political cataclysm because of that action of his.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s election loss is an indictment of his unimpressive leadership of Nigeria by disillusioned corner of the globe where human beings have the innate ability to survive. Therefore, those crying for the Igbos for expressing their quest for justice, equity and freedom should spare their tears for other noble cause. President Jonathan lost the election, but the Igbos won the war against agents of divide-and-rule by uniting and speaking with one voice for the first time, which is sending jitters down the spine of those who have being using divide-and-rule to incite Igbo brothers and sisters and indignant Nigerians. His lack-lustre performance while in office is too evident not to be noticed. There is infra- structural rot in our country. And security issue is threatening our corporate existence as a country. More so, millions of university graduates couldn’t find suitable employments after leaving schools many years ago. So, disillusionment exists among the people of Nigeria. Only politicians with kleptomaniac propensities in the top political echelons are not dissatisfied with the uninspiring status quo ante bellum existing in Nigeria, now.

But can APC, whose mantra as well as slogan is change, bring the much-needed and trumpeted change to Nigeria? Mohammadu Buhari, ex-military head of state, had won Nigeria’s hotly and keenly contested 2015 presidential election on the platform of APC. But some topnotch members of APC migrated to that party from the much- maligned and corruption – infested PDP. Will those corrupt and unscrupulous politicians in APC thwart the against each other. Never again will any Nigerian with Igbo blood flowing in his veins be treated as a second class citizen in this forced marriage called Nigeria. Why is it that other regions expressed their franchise without fear, but the Igbo nation is being vilified and insulted for upholding their fundamental human rights by voting for candidates of their choice? efforts of the incoming president, Mohammadu Buhari, to fight systemic corruption in Nigeria and take the country to unprecedented height in technological and economic advancement?

And, so far, the president–elect, Mohammadu Buhari, has given, well-researched, decorous, and courteous speeches, which have inspired hope in us that our country will resurrect from the dead. He should be magnanimous in victory, and should not gloat over the electoral misfortune of President Goodluck Jonathan. The defeated president displayed a rare act of exemplary deed and patriotism by conceding defeat to his main political rival before the final result was announced. That commendable action of his brought Nigeria back from the precipice. So, I am advising the president – elect, Buhari, not to embark on vindictive mission against some members of the PDP, who traduced him during the electioneering period.