By ’Tunde Thomas
Political parties and candidates taking part in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Anambra State have been advised not to see the election as a do or die affair.
Making the appeal in Lagos, a businessman and President, Ivory Friends Club of Nigeria, Ikechukwu Okosa urged all stakeholders to regard the election as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s democracy.
At a time Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB was threatening that there would be no election in Anambra State, but the federal government, and Igbo apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze assured people of Anambra State, and Nigerians generally that the polls would not be disrupted, how do you react to this situation?
IPOB’s threat should not be taken serious. I see the initial threat by IPOB as a mere threat which should not be taken serious. IPOB was only trying to wage psychological warfare which can never work. There is no cause for alarm or needless fear. Just as the federal government and the Ohanaeze had assured that no force can disrupt or stop the governorship election, I also want to assure our people in Anambra State that no individual, group or organisation can stop them from exercising their fundamental human rights. IPOB should keep its peace. Its members should not try to cause or create confusion. Anambra State people are ready to exercise their fundamental human rights; no IPOB member should try anything funny.
What is your advice to candidates and political parties taking part in the election?
I think first and foremost, I must commend all the candidates and the political parties taking part in the election. It is not easy to come out and show interest in vying for political offices especially in this country where aspirants and candidates have to devote a lot of their time, energy and resources to campaign. For these candidates to have come out showing interest and intention to serve, we have to look at them as patriots.
My advice to them however is that they should not see the election as do-or-die affair; one fact which they must accept is that many will show interests, but definitely only one of them will emerge as the winner. So if you take part, and you lose, it is not the end of the world. Don’t say because the election doesn’t favour you, you then instigate people to violence. No. We say no to violence. Election should be seen like sports where participants usually display acts of maturity by congratulating winners immediately after the game.
What do you think should be the focus of the next governor of Anambra State, talking in terms of provision of socio-infrastructural facilities which would make meaningful impact in the lives of the people?
Anambra State need foreign investors, but first of all, infrastructural facilities like good roads and regular power supply must be in place before foreign investors are invited. Then, job opportunities should be created for our teeming youths. High rate of unemployment in the country has reached such an alarming proportion that our policy planners can no longer pretend that all is well. To make matters worse, the bulk of those affected by unemployment are youths which are also the future of this great nation called Nigeria. Skill acquisition schemes should also be introduced with the aim and objectives of making more citizens self-employed.
You see most of those people following IPOB are jobless, if they are fully engaged; they won’t be involved with IPOB activities. It is out of frustration, hunger, and joblessness that some of these youths are compelled to join IPOB. I’m sure that if these youths are fully engaged they won’t have time for IPOB activities or be involved in any activity that will cause social upheavals.
What’s your reaction to Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB’s agitations for an independent state of Biafra?
Why should we be talking of an independent state of Biafra? I say no to that. I support what our elders and Ohanaeze are calling for, that is restructuring, to ensure that Igbo are treated fairly and are not denied their rights within the nation-state of Nigeria.
I don’t think break up of Nigeria, and a return of Igbo to their native homeland is the solution. The solution is for Igbo to be accorded justice, fairness and equity. The marginalisation of Igbo should stop. Igbo should not be treated as second class citizens of Nigeria. All Nigerians should have equal rights. Nigeria should not be turned into an Animal Farm where some animals are seen to be equal than others.
I believe that with restructuring, issues relating to the marginalisation of Igbo would be addressed. I still believe in one Nigeria, but Igbo should be given their dues. Imagine, while some geopolitical zones have six states, and North-West has seven states, only the south east has five states.
Although I’m not against Nnamdi Kanu, but I only disagree with his approach to fighting Igbo cause.
He is right in crying out against oppression of Igbo, but he should adopt a more mature approach. He should have listened more to the advice of elders and Ohanaeze.
Imagine that time a Quit Notice was served on Igbo by a group of Arewa Youths in the north, is that not insult? A very big insult, but thank God that the issue had been resolved. It is one of those cases of oppression and treating Igbo like second class citizens.
Igbo travelled a lot and they have a lot of investments outside Igbo land. The Igbo are helping the economy of other zones to thrive through our commercial activities. Rather than being a parasite or being seen as one, we have been making positive contributions to the socio-economic development of other regions, how can some uncultured youths served us Quit Notice? This is very wrong. I believe in one Nigeria, just as Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB approach in seeking justice for Igbo is wrong, those Arewa youths are also wrong. They got it wrong with their Quit Notice. My advice to all Nigerians is that we should see our diversity and population as means of achieving harmony and greatness. We should stop sowing seeds of division.