Fellow Compatriots,
As we mark another Democracy Day, It is against the backdrop of the significance of the historic inauguration of the 7th consecutive democratic transition cycle in our nascent 4th Republic that I want to specially pay glowing tribute to Nigerians, for their Perseverance, Doggedness.and Tenacity.
While appreciating the modest efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari, who as 15th President of Nigeria, navigated against highly turbulent tides to steer the ship of Nationhood, I still vote the common people of Nigeria as the real MVPs of his eight year tenure.
In bidding the 15th President farewell to Daura while setting agenda for the 16th, let me use the vehicle of this Democracy Day message to remind the in coming administration of my earlier proposition to leadership to urgently formulate policies that will encourage the reversal of the current polarization of Nigeria along ethnic, religious and partisan lines by undertaking the following;
1. Run a government of national unity by extending leadership recruitment to all sections and sectors of Nigeria, devoid of partisanship, ethnicity and religiosity, while emphasizing antecedents and proven track records of excellence and performance.
2. Zone office of the Senate President to South East in the spirit of justice, equity and fairness.
3. Leverage the political window of prerogative of mercy to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in trust to officials of the United Nations and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In the spirit of ‘all politics is local’, I must state without equivocation that there were high expectations when a fellow university don, in the person of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu emerged governor of our dear Abia state in 2015. Without mincing words, many expected commensurate upscaling of developments at all levels.
Unfortunately however, this has not been the case, hence after eight years of Dr Ikpeazu, Abia remains the most underdeveloped state in the South East. Here again the only thing worthy of celebration is the people’s determination to weather the storm and survive against all odds.
The patriotic desire to rewrite the sad Abia narrative by creating solutions to multiple challenges facing the people became the compelling reason for consummate technocrats like us to sojourn into the murky waters of political contestation, resulting in the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as the 5th civilian Governor of our most cherished state.
Therefore, the successful inauguration of Dr Otti and his deputy symbolically signals the take off of the long awaited pulsating marathon race to a new Abia. Being a long distance race, one important virtue every participant must have is patience. Consequently, while calling for supportive prayers, I will like to also encourage Abians to run the marathon race to a new Abia with determination and patience, in order to brace the tape at the finishing line. Governance being a partnership powered by contributory role-playing, I urge Abians to bring their A game as each man contributes his quota for the speedy development of our state, always being guided by the line in our anthem that says, “We will work the talk to tarry on top, Abia must be great”.
Umunnem, Let All Hands Come on Deck!
Long Live Abia!
Long Live Nigeria!!
Happy Democracy Day!!!
Prof Gregory Ibe,PhD, OFR(Enyi Abia)
Abia APGA Governorship Candidate/
Member, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Advisory Council.