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PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, NOVEMBER 27, 2022
Ndigbo, Obi and Phd
syndrome
GOD save me from my
“ friends [and relatives
and ethnic group], I can take
care of my enemies.”
After spending years on this
page promoting Igbo
Presidency – especially for
2023 – I almost lost hope when
the All Progressives Congress,
APC, and the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, selected
their presidential candidates
without an Igbo person
emerging as candidate. It was
heart-breaking for me;
because at 78+, it is doubtful
if I will live for another four
years to launch another
campaign. Then, suddenly,
Peter Obi, who withdrew from
the PDP contest, went and
brazenly captured the Labour
Party, LP, nomination. To be
honest, it was, and is still, a
funny political relationship.
Obi is a confirmed capitalist;
he likes to call himself a trader.
The LP was supposed to
represent workers. I thought it
was a joke which would soon
fizzle out. I was not the only
one; and we were wrong for
one reason.
ANGER AND AN IDEA
WHOSE TIME HAS COME
“An invasion of armies can
be resisted; but, not an idea
whose time has come” - Victor
Hugo, 102-1885.
“Anger supplies the arms” -
Virgil, 70-19BC.
Those of us who wrote Obi
off in the beginning have been
proved wrong for two reasons:
The power of an idea coming
at the right time and pent-up
anger against the political
establishment of ‘APDP’. Take
a look at the members of the
APC and PDP today and you
will find that they were on the
other side at one time or
another. “Politics without
principles” (Ghandhi), which
has brought us to ruin, is now
the norm and not the exception
Obviously, Soludo
has damaged Obi;
but, he has damaged
himself even more
since 1999. The youth, women
and Ndigbo had been shut out
of Aso Rock. Experience has
taught us that we cannot trust
a candidate or party to fulfill
their promises. The first thing
they do, after winning election,
is to appoint eminent and
erudite media persons as
Senior Special Advisers,
Ministers, Commissioners for
Information – who spend their
entire tenure white-washing
every atrocity. Nigerians
seriously want a change.
So, to some extent, Obi is not
the cause of the popular
uprising; he is the beneficiary.
He is the anti-establishment
candidate; and that partly
explains why most ‘Obi-dients’
overlook all the character and
competence faults to which
those opposed to him are now
pointing. Since it is not the aim
of this article to discuss Obi’s
qualifications, I will probably
not dwell on them.
My reason for writing this
article is actually more
personal than most of the
articles ever written on this
page.
I am angry and bewildered
that after all the years of
struggle to get a fairly credible
(not perfect, but who is?) Igbo
candidate, Ndigbo have turned
around to stab their own
brother in the back. In the
process they have left people
like me, non-Igbo, who have
canvassed for this idea, to
appear foolish.
MEET MY SAGE OF
SAPELE
“You are never too old to
learn.” Like a few people
seeking wisdom, I knew very
early in life that learning is a
life-long process. One of the
wisest persons I know is my
Uncle A--; who lives in Sapele.
We talk all the time; and he is
the first person to have loaned
me over twelve wonderful
books; because he knows that
reading is my passion.
The last three were over 500
pages long. I read them. I am
now tacking one 662 pages.
Apart from lending me books,
Uncle A—talks sense into my
thick skull. He never gets angry
when out of idiocy of relative
youth I obstinately refuse to
accept his advice.
For as long as I can
remember, Uncle has been
asking me to drop the
promotion of Igbo President.
For him, it makes absolutely
no sense for a Yoruba person
to be canvassing for Igbo
President after what Azikiwe
colluded with northerners to
do to Awolowo by sending him
to jail on trumped-up charge.
I always replied by saying that
Nigeria cannot progress
without large doses of
forgiveness all around. And,
the place to start is to bring
about closure to the Civil War
by electing an Igbo President.
Uncle was never convinced;
and I would not bulge.
Uncle, however, always
made another point during our
discussions. He was convinced
that when an Igbo candidate
emerges, his own Igbo people
will rise against him. Once
again, I seriously disagreed. I
honestly believed that once a
fairly credible Igbo candidate
emerges, he would receive
almost 100 per cent support
from Ndigbo. Today, I feel it is
not only Obi who should feel
betrayed by his kinsmen, I also
feel betrayed. Am I now to
believe that my confidence in
the people was misplaced?
True, I was always amused
whenever any election for
governor in the South-East
brought out 100 candidates
and the campaigns of calumny
that ensued.
But, I also always thought
that the presidential election
would be regarded as
something special; that the
leaders of Igboland would rise
up and provide exceptional
leadership; in order to save the
political class from their
usually destructive tendencies.
That has not happened.
Instead, the worst attacks on
Obi have come from South-
East governors and politicians.
My Uncle must be laughing
now. I have avoided talking to
him because the first statement
from him will be “I told you
so.” He was right and I was
wrong.
ET TU SOLUDO?
“Some misfortune to portend,
no enemy can match a
[kinsman]” - Jonathan Swift,
1667-1745.
Despite the political
opportunism involved in a diehard
capitalist representing
Labour, it was, to me, the only
game in town – so to speak. I
was certain all Igbo leaders
would line up behind him.
Soludo being the latest and
unsoiled governor in the South-
East, as well as the best known,
who has a wide network of non-
Igbo Nigerians to call upon,
was the one to lead the crusade.
To be quite candid, I expected
him to partly set aside the task
of governing Anambra State
and undertake the fight to get
Obi elected.
I was not particularly
worried when Governor
Umahi of Ebonyi first
announced that he would not
work for Obi. Ebonyi is the
rump of the SE; Anambra is
the head.
Even when the first signs of
Soludo’s opposition to Obi
appeared, I wrongly expected
that he would limit himself to
just ignoring the campaign,
issuing “No comment”
statements whenever pressed
for his views. That way, if Obi
fails in his bid, Soludo would
not be held responsible.
INTELLIGENT NOT
WISE
“He who sets out on revenge
must first dig two graves” -
Chinese proverb, VANGUARD
BOOK OF QUOTATIONS,
VBQ, p 215
Soludo’s utterances have
reminded me of that
description of the Harvard
University professors who
advised two American
Presidents to go to war in
Vietnam – a war the US lost.
David Halberstam in his
book, The Brightest and The
Best, had shown the world
how very intelligent young
men lacking wisdom can
create political disasters.
High intelligence and hubris
are quite often Siamese twins.
Intelligent people sometimes
think they know everything
and others must accept their
ideas.
But, intelligence is not
wisdom. After reading part
one of Soludo’s demolition of
Obi’s reputation – which is
vital to success in the
presidential race – I could not
help having the feeling that
revenge, clothed with fine
patriotic language, was the
motive.
The lack of wisdom in the
action taken can be seen from
the repercussions. Sonala
Olumhense, in the PUNCH
of November 20, 2022, has
taken Soludo himself to the
cleaners – virtually alleging
that the former Governor of
the Central Bank, CBN,
committed heinous crimes
while in office. One of our
regular readers sent me a
message asking me to send
my articles on the failure of
Banking Con-Soludo-tion, as
I called the fiasco unleashed
on the banking sector under
Soludo. He wants to publish
it as an advertorial to prove
that Soludo is a fake reformer
– who does not deserve to be
governor. Our own Obi
Nwakanma took his turn at
Soludo bashing on the same
Sunday; so did others.
Obviously, Soludo has
damaged Obi; but, he has
damaged himself even more.
Obi is not yet President. So,
he has very little to lose.
Soludo is governor; and he
will be seeking re-election.
From my experience, he will
spend the next three and a half
years defending his
administration from
attackers – in and out of
Anambra State. Irrespective
of what happens to Obi,
Soludo has made a lot of lifelong
political enemies. They
will never let him forget this
blunder.
NIGERIA NOW AN
ALMAJIRI NATION
133 million Nigerians poor
– NBS (VANGUARD,
NOVEMBER 18, 2022)
The United Nations
declared last week that global
population had reached 8
billion; Nigeria’s population
now estimated to be 216
million. That means 63 per
cent of Nigerians are now
poor. That was not the
situation Buhari met in 2015.
And, where are the poor
people located? Kano
10.51m, Kaduna 8.04m,
Katsina 6.92m, Sokoto
5.81m, Jigawa 5.75m, Bauchi
5.75m top the list. Again that
means that 42.75 million or
almost 33 per cent of poor
people live in those six
northern states. Their
numbers have increased
significantly since Buhari
took over in 2015. We are now
a certified Almajiri Republic.
Yet, Baba thinks he is leaving
Nigeria better than he found
it. Thank God, eight wasted
years will end in 2023.
Your sacrifice could
provoke a miracle
Brethren, today is the last
Sunday in November. We
have four more Sundays to come
to the end of this year. By the
grace of God, you and I and our
loved ones would say bye-bye to
this year in Jesus name.
It’s time to assess your prayer
life. You need to ask yourself
questions. I mean ask yourself,
why haven’t I had my prayers
answered. If you had yours
answered, then you have cause
to celebrate but at the same time,
you still need to remain prayerful.
Ask yourself, how much
sacrifices have you made this
year? Have you denied yourself
anything in order to get a miracle?
I can imagine someone asking
why is this necessary?
There is a popular saying that
“nothing goes for anything”. It
could mean, if you put in nothing,
you will get nothing.
For example if a farmer does
not plant yam seeds, he cannot
harvest yams.
The best example of giving and
getting something is found in
John 3 vs. 16 &17 ( KJV) “ For
God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him
should not perish but have
everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into
the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through high
might be saved”.
God gave his only begotten
Son for us to be saved.
Before this month
ends, as you make
up your mind to
sacrifice you time
and give to the Lord,
your miracle is a
matter of time
Another example of someone
who gave and got beyond his
request is King Solomon.
Our authority is found in 2nd
Chronicles 1 vs. 6&7 ( KVJ): “
And Solomon went up thither to
the brasen altar before the LORD,
which was at the tabernacle of
the congregation, and offered a
thousand burnt offerings upon it.
In that night did God appear
unto Solomon, and said, unto
him, Ask what I shall give thee”.
We are looking at sacrifice as
it affects our expectation.
One may not be in a position
sacrifice unto the LORD as
Solomon did, but you can
sacrifice your time to meditate
on the word of God.
You can sacrifice some time in
between your sleep to present
your prayer request to the LORD.
For others, they may choose
to work in the vineyard of the
LORD either as cleaners,
choristers, ushers etc.
Make up your mind to
sacrifice the time you spend
engaging in idle talks for Bible
reading.
You could even decide to
donate to the church that money
you have kept to buy the most
fashionable dresses.
The story of King David
presents us a good example. His
people had plague that made life
uncomfortable for them.
Araunah offered King David
some animals as offering to the
Lord . 2nd Samuel 24 vs. 22-24:
“ And Araunah said unto David,
Let my lord the king take and
offer up what seemeth good unto
him: behold, here be oxen for
burnt sacrifice, and threshing
instruments and other
instruments of the oxen for wood.
All these things did Araunah ,
as a king, give unto the king. And
Araunah, said unto the king, The
LORD thy God accept thee”.
David’s comment in verse 24
is our key point : “ And the king
said unto Araunah, Nay; but I
will surely buy it of thee at a price:
neither will I offer burnt offerings
unto the LORD my God of that
which doth cost me nothing, So
David bought the threshing floor
and the oxen for fifty shekels of
silver”.
Let’s see the result of the sacrifice
in verse 25 of the same chapter : “
And David built there an altar
unto the LORD, and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings. So
the LORD was intreated for the
land, and the plague was stayed
from Israel”.
The plague may also be
described as a reproach that the
Lord took away.
It therefore implies that when
you sacrifice your time for the
Lord, your reproach would be
taken away.
Your sacrifice may also be
monetary. Contribute substantial
money to promote evangelism.
Brethren as a truly born again
Christian, something in your old
ways must give way to your new
life.
It could even be drinking.
Perhaps you are known as a
Christian that drinks alcohol to
the point that you lose control of
yourself. If indeed you need
something from the Lord, you just
must change your ways.
Devout the time you spend
associating with ungodly friends
to studying the Holy Bible or
attending Christian Fellowship
meetings .
Hannah made a sacrifice that
is often over looked.
In 1st Samuel chapter 1, tells
us of the Shiloh annual festival
where everyone ate and drank . It
was customary for Elkanah to
provide for his wives, Hannah
and Penninah items that they
would need to enjoy the festival.
Verse 7 gives us more details:
And as he did no year by year,
when he went up to the house of
the LORD, so she provoked her;
therefore she wept, and did not
eat”.
Note “ and did not eat”. In
other words, while others were
eating and making merry, she
denied herself food. She fasted.
When Eli accosted her
thinking she was drunk,
Hannah replied in verse 15 :”
And Hannah answered and
said, No, my lord, I am a woman
of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk
neither wine nor strong drink,
but have poured out my soul
before the LORD”.
This is the second
confirmation of her fast. She
didn’t join others to drink. She
denied herself that pleasure.
Hannah sacrificed her food
and drink. She gave both up to
speak to the LORD.
Sisters and Brothers, have you
given up any thing or habit this
year as a personal sacrifice?
If not, it isn’t too late.
You just have to give up
something.
Luke6 vs.38 (NJKV) states: “
Give, and it will be given to you:
good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running
over will be put into your bosom.
For with the same measure that
you use, it will be measured back
to you”.
Brethren, God that gave
Solomon and Hannah more
than they asked for is still the
same with us today.
I once wrote on this page, the
testimony of a couple that gave
as sacrificial offering, the
amount due for the mortgage of
their home in London. They had
been married for years without
children.
For their reward, God gave
them a set of triplets and they
didn’t lose the house in London.
When you give, don’t bother
yourself with what the church or
Pastor does with it.
Your gift is to the Lord and not
to a Pastor.
Giving to your Pastor also
comes with some blessings.
God appreciates and rewards
sacrificial giving.
If you haven’t done one this
year, its not too late . You can still
do a lot.
Such sacrificial offerings are
not just to attract a miracle but
also a confirmation of your love
for God.
Your dedication to godly duties
is a form of sacrifice.
As the year winds down, think
of a sacrificial contribution that
you can make to promote the
word of God.
2nd Corinthians 9 v 6&7 tells
us : “ But this I say, He which
soweth sparingly shall reap also
sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also
bountifully.
Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him
give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver”.
Sacrificial gift must be given
cheerfully.
Those who give cheerfully the
Bible tells us experiences the love
of God.
Even before this month ends,
as you make up your mind to
sacrifice you time and give to the
Lord, your miracle is a matter of
time.
Your mockers will rejoice with
you soon in Jesus name.
Enjoy the Peace of the Lord .