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In a recent interview, a television anchor asked Governor Soludo of Anambra State a question that touched on Peter Obi’s leadership style viz a viz savings and investments, as well as whether or not such savings and investments are warranted in a state where there are schools without roofs, hospitals without drugs, communities without access roads, etc.
The governor made a valid point when he said that governments can put surplus funds to better use, but that saving lives is a top priority for government and not saving money. Further, he questioned the morality of the state investing in a corporation in which the governor has a financial stake. What if the investment turns out to be a bad idea? There were no personal attacks on Mr. Peter Obi or his presidential ambitions from Soludo in that interview. He presented his opposing opinions in a polite and respectful manner.
Instead of refuting his reasoning, however, Obidients, in typical fashion, gaslighted the governor. He was the target of their vicious attacks and shower of curses, which inspired him to write the first instalment of his now-famous response. Some people had said that he shouldn’t have responded to the criticism he received, but I disagreed with that since you don’t take advice from your opponents in politics and you also don’t have to be too nice to them either. APGA, which the governor leads in the state, is lurked in a battle of survival with the looming influence of Labour Party.
Anyone who knew the governor well would attest to the fact that he is not the kind to “follow the wind,” “succumb to bullies,” or “shy away from a good fight,” especially when fundamental issues and the future of the people are at risk. Could there possibly be a Part Two to his series? Unless Obi-dients comport themselves properly there will be a Part Two, and I expect the Part Two to be more profound.
I’ve been keeping up with the bile being spewed everywhere in the name of reactions, drowning out the essence of Soludo’s intervention. Many Obi-dients have reacted angrily, calling the governor every name in the book for doing nothing more than expressing his own scholarly opinions, which he himself acknowledged are open to genuine debate. With the frenzy reactions of Obi-dients, one is reminded of the nuisances and exuberances of the Okada riders in Lagos in the good old days. Reactionaries who thrive off anger, wrath, intimidation, and violence give nothing but unending ranting, curses and abuses rather than logical dialogue on the topics posed. They see a contest of ideas as personality clash. However, the core of Soludo’s intervention must remain intact despite the irritation of the reactionists.
Before I go any further, let me repeat for the umpteenth time that Obi-dients demonizing political opponents, and especially, the political establishment will not make Obi President, but will instead lead to discontent and potentially, pre-election and post-election meltdowns. There is no possibility for him to win in that fashion. If that is the strategy then there is no pathway to victory.
If you want to continue to paint the APC candidate and his supporters as horrible and the AA and PDP as looters, I don’t think you’re doing it right. While I agree that Obi’s followers are probably woke and a little crazy by the way they attack anyone that holds contrary opinion to theirs, I don’t believe it’s nice to label them as potentially dangerous extremists even when that is what is seen in plain sight. Harassing and smearing the reputations of others in the name of politics undermines democracy and harms Nigeria as a country. No matter how we choose to label opponents, they are still Nigerians, and we must find a way to coexist with them if we want to make Nigeria better.
Although I have read that Mr. Obi has asked his fans to be more restrained in their rhetoric, he seems to take great pleasure in their company, leading me to question whether there is some sort of interpersonal chasm between him and his supporters. Who is bankrolling the lynch mobs that are endangering our right to vote and organise as we see fit? So where is this promised issue-based campaign? What is their motivation for seeking means to prevent their opponent from voting? Why are they more interested in having their opponents disqualified from the ballot than competing in the election? It’s mere wishful thinking to believe INEC or even the courts will disqualify any of the top presidential candidates at this time.
I’ve heard Obi-dients call AA crooked and cite extensively from Obasanjo’s book, which claims that AA stole enough money as Vice President to feed 200 million Nigerians for 40 years. Such nonsense can only be believed by complete morons. I’ve also seen them try to deny BAT’s true identity while calling him a narc and an ex-drug lord. Oddly enough, these same mobs will not stand for the same level of scrutiny being applied to the leadership, opinions, and character of their principal as they apply to others. That’s amazing. If you can’t handle criticism, then you shouldn’t dish it out.
I disagree with the characterisation of APC supporters as deplorable and PDP backers as enemies of the people. We can’t just write off Obi-dients as a bunch of loonies, either. That they should feel angry is something I can comprehend. There is nobody happy with the country’s current situation. But if we’re all serious about democracy and our country’s future, we need to stop attacking people and start talking about real issues. Everyone needs to be trusted to use their own judgment and make their own choices without fear of being harassed. We cannot all be in the same teacup.
When it comes to politics, Ndigbo have nothing to lose by negotiating and strategizing with the two major parties rather than putting all of their eggs in one basket as they did in 2015 and 2019. Except a miracle happens, it’s doubtful that Obi will gain enough votes to trump APC and PDP.
In closing, I’d like to highlight four major concerns raised by Governor Soludo’s reply to Obi-dients. As a backup plan to the Igbo presidency project which may or may not materialise by 2023, I believe these are issues that Ohaneze and the Igbo elite should begin to tackle by engaging with those who should be engaged.
A) Long-term stability in the South-East Region, which will include Nnamdi Kanu’s release and participation in discussions.
B) South East Economic transformation agenda and the FGN’s Marshall Plan for the South East as promised since the end of the Civil War (the post war ‘reconstruction’). We appreciate the Second Niger Bridge and recent contract for MTN to reconstruct the Onitsha-Enugu expressway. But the rail-lines to the five state capitals, speedy access to the sea, highways linking South East to the North and South- South, addressing our existential threat as gully erosion capital of Africa, Free Trade and Export Processing Zones, etc.
C) Restructuring Agenda for Nigeria that devolves powers/resources to the subnational entities and in which it would no longer matter where the President comes from.
D) Creating an even playing field for the private sector to flourish and for Ndigbo to take an active role in the economy and government; etc. Igbo people cannot afford to be neutral or concerned with political correctness at the moment. We need to put on our thinking caps and do what Zik or MI Okpara would have done in this situation. Lying to ourselves is not an option as we must tell the truth to ourselves. Are we outnumbered ? Yes , we are and that’s the home truth
