Democracy as eminently held, defined and interpreted is seen as government of the people, by the people and for the people while equity is the sustaining nutrients through which democracy survives.
Political Power tussles never contribute to economic advancement of any nation rather it carelessly grows the seed of unhealthy rivalry, ethnic acrimony and marginalization which is the bane of our present day Nigeria. We cannot expect effective national leadership to thrive in the absence of equity and fairplay. Political power shift, transparency and equity should be seen as a bond that must never be broken if Nigeria is to achieve excellence in development politics and national unity.
A case study of what is trending in Abia State where a sect of mudslingers and distortionists are bent on scuttling the long sustained peace in the land by insisting that power remains in their communal clan inconsiderate of the feelings of the greater population of Abia people. Those who are ready to trample on equity must be conscious of the fact that in the near future, it will surely bomerang. Equity is like a seedling, it must be sown on a richly watered soil to enable it sprout, germinate and yield fruits. Equity is being nursed like a baby and that is why carefulness is required to avoid endangering its germination,survival and maturity. Chief Senator T. A Orji in his discretion as the former Governor of Abia State made a credible statement on the need for governorship power to return to Abia North but his words were not only attacked but were also rebuffed with strong resistance by haters of equity and justice. This is why it is dangerous to truncate the components of equity in our human society and it calls that men be guided in their words and actions.
Akin to what is happening in the national level where people from Igbo nation had never produced the Excecutive President of Nigeria since the birth of republicanism in 1963. It is unfair that Presidential seat had been rotating within some ethinic blocs without considerations for Igbo ethnic group rather these ethnic nationalities would work to mischievously pitch Igbos against themselves in order to divide and destablize their unified force of working in one accord to achieve victory. This ploy sheepishly worked in 1998 when Senator Jim Nwaobodo was pitched against Late Dr Alex Ekwueme who had already secured PDP nomination to contest Presidential election in 1999 and Igbo lost the ticket. As it were not enough, in preparation for 2011 Presidential elections, this same schemes were deployed to deny Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan nomination to run for the number one seat in the Country using collusion of inter party leadership wranglings before the then National Chairman of party was axed by a Court Order to vacate office.
All these political antics are carefully designed to deny Igbo man an opportunity to be elected the President of Nigeria. It calls for soberiety and consciousness on the part of Igbo Political leaders despite party affilliation to unite and fight a common course. Nigeria belongs to all of us and Ndigbo should not be treated the wrong ways. Agitations of all sorts cropping up in the Country today have their traces to the level of marginalization suffered under the hands of leaders from other ethnic segments. If Nigeria is allowed to be governed by some ethnic groups without giving others a chance among other things shows that we are not together as one Nigeria and it is highly dangerous to allow selfishness, ethnic gingoism and tribal sentiment to disrupt our unity.
Igbo leaders of thought ,Party stakeholders be it PDP or APC and all detribalized Nigerians in the diaspora are called to rise and support an Igbo man to be elected the next President of Nigeria. This is an ethnic nationality housing great number of philosophers , intellectual personalities, rationalists and competent leaders that when given an opportunity to become the President would in no small measures transforms Nigeria into a befitting paradise on earth. Igbos are industrious people who sustain over 60% of the revenue generating capacity of the Country, so why would’nt they be given an opportunity in national leadership control ?
On this serious note Equity is expected to be planted in the Nigeria political soil to enable the yields of accelerated development, economic productivity, balanced federalism and impactful youths empowerment manifest.Nobody,clan or language speaking sect has monopoly of Aso Rock seat and the sooner we begin to activate these realities, the better and speedy we grow as one Nigeria. Ndi Igbo must buckle their clothings, at all costs get prepared to speak and defend the truth to ensure they are not denied what is rightfully theirs. It amounts to open stabbing on equity if Igbo man is not provided with a chance to be elected the next President of Nigeria. Truth is a motion that no gauge would be able to regulate and on the platform of Equity we firmly stand.
Chief Emeka Kalu
National Coordinator,
People’s Democratic Party Coalition (PDPCO)
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