By Chief Oliver Okpala
I have read the comments credited to some elements in the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA responding to the advise which the All Progressive Congress, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje gave to the people of Anambra and the South East as a whole, for them to gravitate towards national integration politically and I wish to state as follows:
There is need for them to appreciate the gesture of Dr. Ganduje and not see his intervention as negative. His aim is for the economic development and political inclusion of Anambra state to move into the central national politics and nothing sinister as now being portrayed by the overzealous APGA attack dogs.
The eminent politician who gave such an advise should not be vilified or insulted as they have now resorted to. Instead he should be praised and commended for his suggestions on how the region can overcome its age long political backwardness and economic inhibitions.
For Ganduje, the target should be how Anambra state can experience exponential growth through being integrated into national politics given its enormous resources and not empty, bitter wrangling’s.
These criticisms and attacks against him are uncalled for.
The issues he has raised does not pitch him against Anambra State but the matter is about the policies of the state government vis a viz their inclusion at the centre to fastrack their progress – principally the economic benefit of the people.
For those now attacking Dr. Ganduje as a person they should know that the APC national chairman did not attack any Anambrarian, but he only proffered possible solutions to the condition of the state, a move with aim end to better the situation of the common man in Anambra.
Coming from another region of the country to empathise with the people of Anambra is in itself a hallmark of leadership transcending ethnic or regional sentiments. That Is Ganduje for you, a detrabalised and nationalistic leader.
So, he should be appreciated for his concern for them to be redeemed from their economic and political backwardness and not derided. He should be encouraged for taking interest in the affairs of the Igbos with a view to engender their socio- political fortunes.
Ganduje is not against Governor Soludo or any Anambra man for that matter, he even captioned his comments as the way forward for Anambra and the South East as a whole, as he also described the Anambra governor as his personal friend.
So why these unnecessary attacks on his person, integrity, credibility, family and image by political charlatans in APGA?
Governor Soludo should call these misguided boys to order and advise them on how not to address an elder. He should caution these mad political dogs who lack a sense of decorum.
How do you describe a man who has seen it all in Nigeria’s political landscape as being ignorant?
This is a two time governor of a state, and a political leader with over thirty five years experience in politics and the current National Chairman of the ruling party of the country.
We need to ask those who Are attacking Ganduje, what their pedigree is, what is their antecedents and what do they represent?
Our nation clearly does not need such lose canons.
It Is shameful that it is lost on them that this is the first time a national leader of a political party is coming to identify and empathize with the people of the South East, Anambra in particular on how they can be better integrated into national politics and thereby enjoy more bounties of democracy.
He should not be insulted but seen as a partner in progress. He should be given accolades especially coming from another region. It shows that Ganduje is a bridge builder across the nation. That kind of politics is what we need now in Nigeria.
Over the years Dr Ganduje has shown to be a true Nigerian and this has made him to be liked and loved across the country, earning him political victory and traditional titles across board.
He had shown similar concerns in other geo political zones in the country and he was not insulted as the case is now. They appreciated and commended him for his concern over their plight. Why is this case now different ? Why should these paid writers in APGA leave the crux of the matter and be attacking Dr Ganduje’s image and his family?
These rascals should be taught to respect their elders.
This kind of attitude gave rise to the curse which Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe placed on Chuba Okadigbo, the old man told him he won’t live to see old age, and we all saw how it played out. Politics is not a license for uncivilized character.
Younger politicians should know how to treat elders and even where there are disagreements they should be schooled on how to make their positions known without resorting to gutter language or going to the mud.
Besides , Ganduje’s comment was more of a fatherly advise and not for political damage.
So for me, this is perhaps a call to the youths of the South East to learn to engage in refined and healthy debates as a strategy to improve their political capital.
The leaders of the zone must champion this course and move their people away from politics of bitterness that has stifled the region over the years.
If we must make progress we must move aways from the bitterness of the past and embrace a bright future for us and our generations unborn.
Ganduje is not their problem, but he is rather a true friend of the Igbo race. Are these ignorant boys aware that Ganduje holds the title of Agunechemba 1 of the Igbo race? This means the lion that protects the people of igbo land.
If he is an enemy of Igbo he wouldn’t have be given traditional Igbo titles in Abia and Ukpo in Anambra state by two renowned traditional rulers in Igbo land.
This is a clear indication that he is an Igbo lover and that was why he showed concerned about the plight of the people on how they could be better be rewarded for their enormous contributions to national development . What offense has he therefore committed? Should he have encouraged the people to remain politically isolated, remain in APGA and therefore remain backward and lacking ?
Nobody should use his harmless advise as a political gimmick to further hoodwink the people. It is clear that Anambra has not made the progress expected due to its severance from the political tree of prosperity at the centre.
Ganduje is only interested in the welfare and progress of the South East, that is why since he assumed office he has ensured that sons and daughters of the region have been appointed into strategic positions.
Even many of his personal aids are from Anambra State. He has done his part, It is now left for the people to whom he has spoken to heed the advise. The clock is ticking!
• Chief Oliver Okpala, Senior Special Assistant on public enlightenment to the APC National Chairman