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PDP Chairmanship Race: Igbos Are Angry By Hamilton Odunze
I read David Chukwu’s article in ThisDay Newspapers. In it, Mr. Chukwu laments the marginalization of Ndigbo by the Obasanjo regime. Obviously, he is among the millions of Nigerians who didn’t recognize Obasanjo’s regime as fascist and totalitarian, and one that had no respect for democracy. One key indicator was the fact the regime worked very hard to stifle the people’s intellect and will. Conversely, democracy thrives on these two elements. I have written about this regime in many forums. Under these totalitarian regimes, people are denied their democratic values. So was Ndigbo denied the values of true democracy.
However, for the purpose of argument, I will assume Obasanjo’s regime was a democracy. This gives me the opportunity to address the more important issue raised by Mr. Chukwu – the marginalization of Ndigbo in Nigeria’s politics. As he rightly pointed out, “all men of good will and conscience should resist such affront on Ndigbo.” As a concerned Igbo man, my way of confronting such an affront is to cast a mirror upon us that reflects back our political shortcomings. Incidentally, every discussion about this centers on our inherent tendencies to sell out our collective political aspirations. Although this may be true, I won’t belabor the issue. I am not going to question the collective purpose of Ndigbo or the lack thereof. Many other writers have covered this issue over the years.
Mr. Chukwu wrote that the chairmanship of PDP was zoned to the South East by Obasanjo and his clique. First and foremost, anybody who dreams of true democracy for Nigeria would have some reservations about a democratic system that thrives on “zoning.” Obviously, such a political system is susceptible to the level of mediocrity that is currently seen in Nigerian politics.
My second issue is this. Asking Obasanjo and his clique not to meddle with the affairs of Ndigbo is like changing the rules in the middle of the game. If, for any reason, we allowed him and his clique to “zone” whatever they deemed fit to the South East, we should, for the same reason, allow them to make the choice for us. My point is this. If we could not challenge them then, what makes us capable of challenging them now?
Everything I have said so far, as logical and important as it sounds, is still not at the core of the matter. The core lies in this question: is the politics of zoning helping, or does it thwart the political aspirations of Ndigbo? I think it does the latter to our collective political goals. As an Igbo man who holds the great wisdom of our fathers in high esteem, I would assume we should have figured this out by now. Stay with me as I make the subsequent argument. I start by stating that politics is predictable. Political groups that succeed in spinning mainstream discussions to issues where they have the advantage win. This is the reason Republicans are very eager to make the political discussion in America center on National Security. I hate to make any reference to American politics when discussing Nigerian politics. Yet, sometimes it is important to draw parallels.
We have not been able to make mainstream political discussion in Nigeria revolve around competence and aptness. The reason for our marginalization is our political future depends on one office or another being “zoned” to the South East. The real chance for Ndigbo to emerge as political leaders will come when the discourse in Nigerian politics centers around the ability to move the country forward. In other words, Ndigbo will be better off anytime Nigeria starts to live up to true democratic values. Therefore, it is incumbent upon Ndigbo to face the challenge of turning the nation’s political ship back to this point.
That’s what happened when Nnamdi Azikiwe and the cream of Igbo politicians helped to stir Nigeria to independence. The reason we shy away from returning to this point is because even among us Ndigbo, mediocrity has permeated our politics. In this case, there are those who will gain from the politics of zoning. We ignore our political stars and the people who have the brains to make an impact in the lives of common people in Igbo land.
The Igbo problem is not just about grasping the most influential political positions in Nigeria. Rather, we need to know how to leverage our best talents to the benefit of the common man. Not just in Nigeria but in Igbo land as well. This is how we move Nigerian politics into a time of substance and results. When we show substance and results in the way people are governed in South Eastern Nigeria, it is only natural that we will attract national attention and respect. After all, what is good for Ndigbo is good for Nigeria. We have had the chance and time to promote the living conditions of our brothers and sisters in Igbo land. We have also had the opportunity to update our infrastructures to the point where other Nigerians are envious. Yet, our people are not better off. We have had chances as governors, local government chairmen, senators, and in many other capacities as Ndigbo who were elected to serve their kinsmen.
Ndigbo should not endorse a political system that is based on zoning. It is inconsistent with the principles of democracy and it has worked to our disadvantage many times. Such political arrangement renders the dexterity of Ndigbo useless in the grand scheme of things. My advice to Mr. Chukwu and the likes of him is this: Nigerians are looking for a Messiah regardless of tribe and ethnic proclivity. A final point. The best way to deal with the affront on Ndigbo is to make the least Igbo person feel good about governance, especially when the responsibility to govern is in the hands of another kinsman in any capacity—local or national.
Hamilton Odunze Boston, Massachusetts.
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