Tuesday 25 June 2024

About Ojude Oba festival

 The Ojude Oba festival is an annual celebration by the Yoruba people of Ijebu-Ode, a major town in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. This vibrant festival takes place on the third day after Eid al-Kabir (Ileya), which is a Muslim holiday celebrating Abraham's sacrifice.

The Ojude Oba translates to "King's Court" and it serves as a time to pay homage and show respect to the Awujale of Ijebuland, the paramount ruler of the Ijebu people. It's a beautiful display of culture, fashion, and tradition, and it has grown into one of the most prestigious festivals in Nigeria.

Here are some of the highlights of the Ojude Oba festival:

  • Parade: The Regberegbe parade is the heart of the Ojude Oba festival. Different age groups within Ijebu-Ode, known as Regbe regbe, dress in colorful uniform attires and parade before the Awujale. They sing, dance, and chant praises to their king.
  • Fashion: The Ojude Oba festival is known for its extravagant displays of fashion. People wear their finest attire, often made from expensive fabrics.
  • Horsemen: Horsemen are a big part of the Ojude Oba festival. They ride their horses in a procession before the Awujale, showcasing their riding skills and horsemanship.
  • Food: As with any good festival, there is plenty of food to be enjoyed at the Ojude Oba. Traditional Yoruba dishes such as pounded yam, efo riro, and amala are all popular choices.

The Ojude Oba festival is a unique and colorful celebration of Yoruba culture. It's a great opportunity to learn about the history and traditions of the Ijebu people

Wednesday 22 March 2023

Why Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu won the Lagos Governorship elections

 


Yemi Olakitan

 

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was named the victor of Saturday's governorship election in Lagos State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

 He was proclaimed the winner of the election by INEC's returning officer, Prof. Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, after meeting the requirements of the electoral act and the constitution.

Many were surprised as Sanwo-Olu easily defeated Labour Party candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to win the election.

Rhodes-Vivour received 312,329 votes, but Lagos State sitting Governor, Sanwo-Olu won with 762,134 votes.

As a result, it is pertinent to note the achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the reasons behind Lagosians drive to retain him as Governor.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was first elected as governor of Lagos State on March 9, 2019, giving the most important position in Lagos state to a man who had pledged to serve and advance Lagos.

In his inaugural speech, "Awakening Greater Lagos," Mr. Sanwo-Olu pledged to concentrate on six development pillars known as "THEMES," to make Lagos a 21st-century economy, health and environment, education and technology, traffic management and transportation, entertainment and tourism, security, and government. 

"Our ultimate goal would be to ensure that Lagos State remains one of the best destinations on the African continent to live, work, and invest in," the governor, who is running for reelection in the 18 March elections, told Lagosians at the inaugural ceremony. He claimed that the six development pillars "reflect our response to the people's longing.’’

Before Mr. Sanwo-Olu took office in 2018, the commercial center of Nigeria produced a total of N382.1 billion.

It was one of two states whose IGR surpassed their federal allotment because the primary source of revenue was taxes.

As Mr. Sanwo-Olu was inaugurated in 2019, the IGR increased to N398 billion. Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Endsars demonstrations, Lagos outperformed all other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in terms of revenue at the end of 2020, coming in at N418.99 billion.

IGR increased from the previous year by N20.26 billion (5.08%).

Sam Egube, the state's commissioner for economic planning and the budget, stated in February that they are aiming for N77.067 billion in IGR every month, or more than N900 billion annually, when he broke down the state's 2023 appropriation bill of N1.768 trillion.

The lowest of the five states with the highest unemployment rate in 2018 was Lagos, which had an unemployment rate of 14.6% prior to his election as the state governor.

With 1,088,352 unemployed residents, Lagos was one of the four states that topped the unemployment rankings in 2019.

The additional states were Kano, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers.

According to figures from BudgIT, the combined rate of unemployment and underemployment in Lagos reached 41.66 percent in 2021.

Lagos presently has a 29.4% poverty rate, however, according to a report titled Nigeria Poverty Assessment 2022: A Better Future for All Nigerians by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Lagos was at the top of the State's Fiscal Sustainability Index before Mr. Sanwo-Olu took office.

According to the States by States Fiscal Performance Ranking report by BudgIT, Lagos rose to the fourth spot by 2021, exhibiting its resiliency with a total income of N658.56 billion for the fiscal year 2020.

In addition, in the last three and half years, Governor Sanwo-Olu has constructed and rehabilitated over 1,000 roads while others are at various stages of completion. He completed the Blue line rail while the Red line rail is under construction.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also built the Imota rice Mill at Ikorodu towards food sufficiency in Lagos State and completed the Lekki deep sea port to decongest the Apapa port in Lagos. He also obtained FG permission to build the Badagry deep sea port and the Lekki International Airport.

Sanwo-Olu commissions 150-classroom blocks, hostels in 15 Lagos Schools. Education in Lagos State witnessed another remarkable moment of infrastructure expansion, with the addition of newly built 150 blocks of classrooms and 1,386-bed hostels to 15 existing schools across the six education districts in the State.

Lagos gubernatorial elections, peaceful, taint by voter apathy

 


…Sanwo-Olu commends peaceful poll


Yemi Olakitan

The Lagos State Gubernatorial elections have been described as peaceful, calm but marred by voters’ apathy. This was the submission of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other Lagosians as they cast their votes in Lagos

While INEC officials came out on time and set their tables, the voters took their time to come out to vote in many areas of the state, although there are varying reports in various polling units.

At Ikorodu, Igbogbo axis, there was low turnout of voters as voters were slow to come out although there was security presence to forestall any trouble but no issues were recorded.

However, at Ogba axis, Lagosians turn out to vote massively, although there was no long queue, according to reports, they people came out one after the other exercise their franchise one after the other. The crowd was not particularly large but the people were out to vote, one after the other.

Dr. D.J Johnson of Nigerian Union of Journalists, advocates that every journalist should vote, security agencies should also vote. ‘‘I voted this morning and I can tell you what happens when we talk about voters’ apathy. People need to come and vote. Nigerians have attached too much ethnicity and religious bigotry into the campaigns. These things are enough to discourage people.’’

Mr. Fatai Adekunle who voted in Dopemu axis said that voting has been very peaceful in his area. He said he was not harassed and the process has been peaceful. Adekunle said, ‘‘the voters’ turn out is not impressive at all. He called on the Government to do something about it. The way things are going, the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government need to put in some reward system in place for voters in upcoming elections. They need to think outside the box because unlike the Presidential elections that people came out to vote in large numbers, the numbers have dropped in the governorship elections.’’ He said.

Mr Sesan Babatunde at oguntade ogba, ifako ijaye axis said, voting exercise in his area was peaceful and calm. The voters show up very early to vote at Ogba. He said, the people here arrive as early as 7.30. am.

The voting commenced by 8.30 exactly. However, Mr. Babatunde said, he was alarmed at the level by which the youths are on the streets of Lagos playing football. ‘‘At Coker Street, from beginning to the end of that street, the youth are busy playing football.  You will see women watching them playing football on the roads while voting was going on.’’

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu voted at his polling unit at Lagos Island, Eiyekole rd/street, ‘ward 1’ Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke  Sanwo-Olu cast their votes in the elections amidst state media representatives and security operatives.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said, we have just witnessed my wife and I casting our votes and exercising our civic duties. We are happy at the turn out at this polling unit. You can see that, the INEC officials came right on time and voting is on as we speak. I think it’s time for us as a people to see and understand that this process is not supposed to be a process of violence. Elections that lead to the emergence of credible leaders is the best validation of what true democracy should be. I want to emphasize again that elections are for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and our nation. I want you all, gentlemen of the press to continue to preach and encourage everyone to continue to participate in our electoral process. I am happy, driving here this morning that everywhere is peaceful and calm.’’

There are a few disturbing videos that we have seen of some party people doing one or two things but these videos are not veritable. I am not going to talk about it much. I want to say that I am very happy at the turnout here at this polling unit and I want to ask that all our voters should remain vigilant. If you see anything or see something please alight the security operatives. We don’t want any form of intimidation or violence in Lagos state. That is not acceptable.’’

Governor Sanwo-Olu also spoke in Yoruba language, saying that it was important that Lagos state democracy be peaceful and orderly. He expressed his thanks to Lagosians and the people of Lagos for taking the time to come out and vote.

The governor is seeking re-election for another four year term. He is being challenged by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party and Mr. Abdul-Azeez Adediran of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The New Telegraph observed security operatives on the streets of Lagos but there was generally peace on the streets as most people remained calm.

Ooni inaugurates Brazil's National Orisa Day




The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has officially presented a Certificate of Yoruba Territory to Quilombola territory in Brazil, making the city, the first outside Africa to receive the title.

Quilombola territory in Brazil is the first place outside of Africa to earn the title after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, officially presented it.


The highly regarded Yoruba king also gave a speech to Brazil's Federal House of Assembly on Tuesday to formally launch the nation's first-ever Orisa Day.


According to a statement from Ooni's media assistant, Moses Olafare, Ogunwusi spoke before the Brazilian Parliament at a special session for Isese practitioners commemorating the country's Orisa Day.


The Ooni claimed that by integrating cultures and promoting Yoruba culture throughout the diaspora, the royal visit aimed to close the gap between the Yoruba people and the rest of the world.


He claims that the Nigerian Royal Father and his entourage arrived in Bahia, Brazil, on Sunday and met with President Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, on Monday.


At the Quingoma neighbourhood of Lauro de Freitas, in the Salvador Metropolitan Area, the Ooni presented the title.


The delivery of the title of Yoruba territory, which would promote and protect the Yoruba history, culture, and language in the community, was hailed by the people of Quilombola.


"At the height of the slave trade in Africa, the Yoruba people were captured and forcibly taken from their home base in Nigeria. The Quilombola was credited with receiving and embracing them.


"Because the Quilombola have a long history dating back to the 17th century, the acknowledgment of Quilombola as Yoruba territory is another step in the quest for respect for African history.


"Right now, 1,200 hectares of land are inhabited by about 580 families.
The Palmares Foundation has designated Quingoma as a Quilombola region since 2013," the statement read.


Ni revealed that the Yoruba and Brazilian populations share a long and rich history that dates back to antiquity.


The efforts adopted, according to the royal father, would not only preserve history through cultural preservation, but they would also increase Brazilians' sense of kinship, which would encourage improvement in preserving Yoruba legacy across the globe.


The event, according to Ponies' statement, was highly personal for him because he is enthusiastic about preserving Yoruba culture and its ingrained values.


The Yoruba language and its culture will become more widely accepted as a result of this event.
Their faces show eagerness, as you can see.


According to Ooni, "Their Babalawos are well-versed in the Ifa doctrines and can perform the Odu-Ifa and its panegyrics like our Ifa priest do in Nigeria.


He claims that Brazilians highly value their gods like Sango, Ogun, Yemoja, and Obatala, and they have set aside days to honour them with vibrant celebrations that are full of aesthetic appeal.


"One thing I like about them is that they speak Yoruba, and it's important to unite them and demonstrate our sympathy with them by speaking Yoruba.


He continued, "This will promote positive bilateral trade between Brazil and Nigeria and it would also benefit Yoruba culture."

Wednesday 8 March 2023

LASCOTA endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat for Second Term




The Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, LACOSTA, has thrown its weight behind the re-election of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo -Olu, his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and all APC candidates for the Lagos State House of Assembly, on March 11 gubernatorial and House of Assembly members.

This was contained in the speech delivered by the President of the association, Alhaji Nurudeen Buhari, at a press conference held at the Headquarters of the Association in Shogunle area of Lagos State.

According to him, "the entire members of Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, LACOSTA, who without any iota of doubt are more than 6million members, have resolved to once again throw their weight behind the governor-friend of the masses,  Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and other APC House of Assembly members in next Saturday's gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections..
Let's do it this as pay back time for the governor who has done virtually well for this great state since at the hlems of affairs of tbe state four years ago", Alhaji Buhari said.

He informed that the association would begin house to house sensitization and education of residents, just as he added that all members would further mobilize members and residents in the state the more on the why all hands must be on deck to enable the Governor come back again to his office for second term.

According to him " This resolution is necessary and crucial having considered series of physical evidence of development done the current administration in Lagos. On this note, I, as the President and my entire members would ensure we go extra mile to ensure Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr Obafemi Hamzat are elected back come March 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos State", Buhari said.

Wednesday 22 February 2023

Nigerians lead Dubai property investors as market recovers




 


Yemi Olakitan


Despite the worldwide economic downturn, high-net-worth individuals, especially Nigerians, invested in Dubai, boosting the luxury market and setting a new record of 90,881 residential sales in 2022.


According to CBRE, the overall amount of transactions in Dubai reached 8,662 in December 2022, up 63% from the previous year.
Off-plan sales rose 92.5 percent and secondary sales 35.4 percent.


2022 smashed several residential market records in Dubai.
Almost 10,000 residential transactions exceeded the 2009 high.
In 2022, apartment and villa rents rose 27.1 percent and 24.9 percent, respectively, reaching historic highs.


In December 2022, average property prices jumped 9.5 percent and average apartment prices rose 9.0 percent, according to the data.
Average villa prices rose 12.8% throughout the same period.
Dubai's average apartment and villa prices were $318 and $377 per sqft in December 2022.


The average apartment and villa prices are 21.5 percent and 4.2 percent below the 2014 record highs.
Palm Jumeirah's villa sales rate per square foot is $1,067, whereas Jumeirah's apartment sales rate is $632.


Rents rose 26.9% in 2022. Average apartment and villa rents rose 27.1 and 24.9 percent, respectively. The Palm Jumeirah has the highest annual apartment and villa rents at $67,644 and $277,000, respectively.


Dubai's strong economic growth has driven demand for residential and commercial real estate, according to a JLL poll.


Foreign investment in real estate has grown due to the government's programmes and laws.
Dubai Land Department (2020) announced real estate sales above AED 257 billion.


Dubai's tax rules and reputation as a global business and tourist hub have also helped its real estate market.


The numbers show that Nigerians invest heavily in Dubai real estate.
Nigerian investors were fifth in the Dubai real estate market in 2018, with 1,092 deals worth AED 4.6 billion (roughly $1.25 billion), according to the Dubai Land Department (Dubai Land Department, 2018).
This shows that even though there were fewer transactions than in other countries, their value was still high.


Nigerians were the second-largest foreign buyers in Dubai's real estate market in 2019, with 1,824 deals totaling AED 7.2 billion (roughly $1.97 billion) (Dubai Land Department, 2019).
The volume and value of transactions increased significantly over the previous year.
These figures show that Nigerian real estate investment in Dubai is growing.


Dubai apartment sales drive the market.Villas and townhouses remain popular.
Location, price, and facilities might affect the appeal of city home styles. Most properties are multi-use and holiday rentals.


Real estate specialists, notably estate surveyors and valuers, claimed Nigerians are driven to the Dubai real estate market due to its security, stability for investment, and low property prices compared to other large cities.


Dr. Samson Agbato, Director, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State, said: “One aspect is the reputation of Dubai as a secure and reliable site for investment, which is particularly enticing to Nigerian investors who may be searching for a shelter for their wealth.


Dubai is a global business and tourist hub, offering many alternatives for Nigerian investors seeking a stable and growing city.


An estate surveyor and valuer, Agbato, also attributed Dubai's appeal to its low property prices compared to other large cities.
“This may make it cheaper for Nigerian purchasers to acquire property in Dubai, which leads to better returns on investment,” he said.


He said: “Dubai's solid economy, stable political climate, and cutting-edge infrastructure may attract wealthy Nigerians to real estate investments.
Dubai's status as a global commercial and tourist hub may also attract real estate investors.


The city's tax-free status and lack of foreign property ownership restrictions may attract wealthy Nigerians.
Dubai's real estate industry attracts international investors due to its high returns on investment and possibilities for capital gain.


Ademola Adetola, ACMV Secretary, said high-net-worth Nigerian investors are fleeing to Dubai due to the naira's depreciation.


The naira's fall makes Nigerian investors important.
He said informed investors seek to avoid portfolio and capital value losses.





"The city's real estate has continued to remain solid and steady, bucking global markets slowdown and recession trend," he said.
The current epidemic, rising taxes, cost of living problem, natural disasters, and Russia-Ukraine war have driven many citizens seeking protection for their families and businesses to travel to Dubai, the top destination for high-net-worth migrants.


Dubai's world-class education, healthcare, security, and property ownership make it appealing.
According to the UBS Bubble Index, the city gives investors one of the finest global values.


The city has benefited from increasing oil costs, which are driving worldwide inflation, and cash purchasers make up more over 70% property purchases, according to Better Homes data.


He added that the international character of the business caused property values and prices to soar in the city, yielding 6.5 percent average rental returns despite meltdowns in most other countries.


Emeka Okoronkwo, Principal Partner of Emeka Okoronkwo & Associates, remarked that established and stable structures attract economic investments. It determines expected returns.
The Dubai design was well thought out, and all funnels that will produce traffic to sustain and yield predicted returns in their real estate industry are effective.


They developed a globe tourism thrill centre with a supportive airline and visa system and time-share property ownership.
Since they appreciate, Nigerians invest a lot on them.
"It generates enough returns and affords them a lifestyle they can enjoy more easily than in Europe or America," he continued.

Wednesday 16 November 2022

History Beckons and I will not be Silent (Part 1) By Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR

 14th November, 2022


 



 

 



 

 

My attention has been drawn to some of the tirades on social media following my frank response during an interview on Channels TV regarding the “investments” Mr. Peter Obi claimed to have made with Anambra state revenues. Sadly, several of the comments left the issue of the interview to probe or suggest motives, inferred from my response on “investment” that I am opposed to Peter Obi’s ambition and therefore committed a “crime” for which the punishment is internecine abuse and harassment even to my family. Some people even suggest that the gunmen who went to attack a checkpoint at my hometown on Saturday 12th November but were gunned down was part of the mob reaction. I used to think that for decent people, certain conducts are off-limits, and that in Anambra, politics is not warfare.

 


Of course, as a Christian, I know that telling the truth can be very costly, even suicidal. Our Lord and saviour was crucified simply for telling the truth the people did not want to hear. I promised that I won’t be the usual politician, and will not knowingly lie to the people. I am not an Angel but rather than knowingly repeat the same deceitful character that politicians are known for, I would leave public office. It is a vow I made to my God and to my family. Only God knows how many days I will be on this seat but whether I am on it or not I will always say it as it is--- knowing fully the suicidal consequences of telling the truth in a political arena, especially in a country where lying and deceit by politicians have become culture and celebrated as being “smart”.

 


Ideally, I should just have laughed off the infantile exuberances as many friends advised (I am used to this, having been in the ‘Arena’ for a while). I always re-read the quote “The Man in the Arena…” by President Theodore Roosevelt (1910) to remind myself of the burden of public office. Several well meaning Nigerians and Ndigbo called to advise that I should just ignore them. A respected Igbo elder-statesman who called, advised that I should just ignore what he described as “Peter Obi and his social media mob”. According to him, “everyone knows that he is going nowhere, but they are looking for who to blame”. After some 20 minutes of discussion, he advised that I should personally author a response— just for the records.

 


Everyone knows that I don’t follow the winds nor one to succumb to bullies, nor shy away from a good fight especially when weighty matters of principles and future of the people are involved. One lesson I learnt from my former boss and mentor, President Obasanjo, is never to be on the fence. I learnt that one must always take a stand: for better or for worse. I do so with every sense of humility, and leave history to judge. Most people have commended me for “tactfully avoiding being drawn into the Peter Obi issue” until now.  Since I am now being forced into the Arena on this matter, I have a duty and a right of reply, if only for the records, and to also give the social media mob something substantive to rant upon and rain their abuses for weeks. In this preliminary response, there are some things I will refrain from saying here because, in the end, February/March 2023 will come and go, and life will continue.

 


At the outset, let me state that this exhibition of desperation, intolerance and attempt to bully everyone who expresses the slightest of dissent is reprehensible. This is Hitler in the making. When the revered Arch Bishop Chukwuma stated that in Enugu State, they were not obedient, he was ferociously bullied on social media. Any dissent is tagged a saboteur or, in my case, it could be that I want to contest for president after office or that I am envious of Peter Obi. Soludo envious of Peter Obi? Totally laughable! But this is the same person I was asking to return to APGA in March 2022 and contest for president and yet envious or doesn’t want him to be president. This is madness! Seriously speaking, the obdurate attempt to muscle the republican Igbos to maintain the silence of the graveyard is antithetical to everything Igbo. It is not who we are. Insulting other ethnic groups and religions or denigrating others is certainly not the path to Aso Rock. If this is not checked, it may indeed endanger the future political and economic interests of the Igbos.

 


In his time, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the undisputed all-time leader of the Igbos but he had his arch-rivals and even independent candidates won landslide elections against his party, NCNC, in Igboland. Obafemi Awolowo had stiff opposition among the Yorubas while Ahmadu Bello had his share of opponents in the Northern region. Today, no one has accused Afenifere or other strong presidential candidates from the South West of being “anti-Yoruba” because Tinubu is a frontrunner, nor has anyone accused Kwankwaso and several other Northern candidates of being “anti-North” for not supporting Atiku. As a full-blooded republican Igboman and democrat, I reject this despotic intolerance.

 


Yes, I fully understand the anger of some urban and Diaspora youths and some Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the trajectory of the country or with the candidates of the major parties and wished other options. Not knowing much about others, some see Peter Obi as the contrast they wished for. I get the point. But this is a democracy: the minority will have their say, but the majority their way. Translating anger and social media agitation into political outcomes requires humongous work.

 


For full disclosure, let me state that Peter Obi and I are not just friends, we call ourselves “brothers”. But we have political differences: he left APGA for PDP after his tenure as Governor while I have remained in APGA since 2013. During the last two governorship elections in Anambra in 2017 and 2021, he led the PDP campaigns but APGA won a landslide in both elections. By the way, in 2016, he visited and proposed that I defect to PDP and contest the 2017 election against the incumbent Willie Obiano, but I declined. After my victory in November 2021, he called to congratulate me as I did to him in 2010. That is the Anambra way: we fight fiercely during campaigns but share drinks at the next social events. After all, it was the great Zik of Africa who taught us that in politics, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies but only permanent interests.

 


We sat next to each other during the Emeka Anyaoku lecture at Nnamdi Azikiwe University on 8th March, 2022 and I made an offer for him to return to APGA and contest as its presidential candidate. Yes, I did. In my mind, it was time for the Igbos to organize their region politically before stepping out to bargain power with other organized coalitions. On his part, he tried to convince me that he expected APC to unravel while PDP would be the “only one” standing. We debated and he proposed that we could meet later to discuss further. He attended my inauguration on March 17.  A few weeks later, he requested and I obliged him to use the Anambra State government house facility to launch his presidential bid under PDP.  I was surprised to read in the news later that he had defected to LP (a party with literally zero structure), thereby attempting to weaken the same PDP he saw as the saviour a few weeks earlier. He paid me a courtesy call as the presidential candidate of LP, and we had frank discussions.

 


During our meeting, I reminded him of my proposal to him to come and contest under APGA. More importantly, I told him (possibly to his surprise) that I did not make the proposal in the belief that he will win in 2023 but that it would give us the opportunity to get our people organized as a bargaining force, with him leading the effort since I was busy as Governor (my immediate predecessor, Willie Obiano had indicated to me that he was not disposed to contest an election). We noted that we were in opposing political parties and in response to my direct question as to how I might help him, he requested that I should just ensure a “level playing field” and let the people decide. In fidelity, my government has provided the atmosphere for him and his supporters to operate freely in Anambra without any molestation (compare with treatments to LP even in other South East states), and allowed his billboards which are, in many places, wrongly placed almost on the roads.  As a person, I have several shortcomings but being petty is not one of them. We have shown him tremendous goodwill—which he did not extend to the same Labour Party when he was Governor (Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, as LP governorship candidate in 2013 was denied the use of Ekwueme Square for his rallies).

 


Someone reminded me that a mob has no head and hence cannot reason. The same Peter Obi was one of those who told Ndigbo that APGA was the vehicle through which Igbos would organize to engage the rest of Nigeria politically. He was said to have sworn to Ojukwu and publicly that he would quit politics the day he leaves APGA. The rest is history. When he was the Vice-Presidential candidate under PDP in 2019, the emotive train then dubbed the ticket “the Igbo project”. As the chairman of the planning and strategy committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I cautioned for a more pragmatic approach but the emotive blaze of the time held sway. We were vindicated afterwards.

 


By the way, APGA is Nigeria’s third largest political party today (after APC and PDP, it is the only other party with a state governor and third largest presence at the National Assembly). And some people have the temerity to suggest that APGA’s candidate should “step down” for Peter Obi as the “Igbo candidate”. I wonder when Igbos met to choose a candidate. They even argue that afterall APGA supported President Jonathan and did not field a candidate then. Well, the fact as I was told was that no candidate showed interest under APGA then. Besides, APGA’s unwritten rule then was to support the party at the centre --- which, if we apply this time, should actually be APC. But we have our own candidate. Recall that all the political parties had their primaries during the same period. Once Peter Obi realized that he won’t get the presidential or vice-presidential ticket of PDP he ran to Labour Party (a political party known as a transit camp for aspirants who lost primaries in APC, PDP and APGA), and the chorus by a vociferous minority now is that LP has become the “Igbo project”, and the APGA candidate who emerged the same time as Peter Obi should “step down”. Ridiculous! Now I truly understand that a mob cannot reason.

 


When will Ndigbo understand and learn politics, especially of Nigeria? When Bola Ahmed Tinubu defied the political wind of the time and stood out as the “only man standing” in AD and later AC (before ACN) against a sitting president of Yoruba descent, no one accused him of being “anti-Yoruba”. Indeed, everyone recalls that both Tinubu and President Obasanjo disagreed politically, and probably still disagree—but none is being accused of being “anti- Yoruba”. Under Tinubu, the South West strategically organized under a different political party, the ACN and went into a formidable alliance that kicked out a sitting president (in Africa?), and that alliance is not broken yet. Igbos, in their frenzied Nzogbu nzogbu politics, have sadly found themselves in a political cul de sac. Tragic indeed! When will my people smell the morning coffee?

 


Let me now address the substance of my response during the interview, and I stand by what I said. On record, I doubt that any governor in Nigeria has paid as much tribute to his predecessors as I have done during campaigns and in office. I always said that ALL of them did well and to the best of their abilities. Yes, Peter Obi was governor for 8 years (2006 -2014) during a period of unprecedented oil boom and prosperity in Nigeria (the Nigerian economy was growing at an average of 6-8% per annum, and oil price was highest during this time). I have seen all kinds of funny comments and interpretations regarding what I said about the value of his “investments”. Some refer to SabMiller and bandy all kinds of figures as to how the investment of $12 million is now worth less than $3 million. Of course, there is room for legitimate debate about the logic or quality of the investments. For example, people might differ as to the propriety of using taxpayers' money to promote a company in which one is a shareholder in the name of “investment”, or even whether so-called “savings” are warranted when there were dozens of schools without roofs or classrooms, or local governments without access roads or hospitals without doctors/nurses. A Bishop recently publicly advised that I should please try to construct the “Ngige type of quality roads”, stating that the ones done by his successor (that is, Peter Obi) had washed off, while Ngige’s remained. I promised and we are delivering quality roads that Anambra has not seen before.

 


For sure, prudence in public resource management is desirable and we are opening new frontiers in that area. People will however differ as to whether saving money in the bank account is a KPI (key performance indicator) for a government where poverty is escalating except where its institutions for absorption are weak or where the government has no robust/big agenda for transformation. Governments exist to save lives, not to save money. We can debate and differ on this--- (by the way, I know when/how it is appropriate to “save” as I built Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $10 billion I inherited to all time $63 billion, and even after paying $12 billion to pay-off Nigeria’s external debt and going through unprecedented global financial crisis, I still left behind about $45 billion--- Go and verify!).

 


Funny, in the rabid frenzy to grab every straw, they cut a clip during our governorship debate where I was stating vital statistics and they claimed that I was “praising” Peter Obi then while committing a crime now by “criticising” him. Hahahaha! Well, it is true that I said during the debate that, according to National Bureau of Statistics, poverty in Anambra actually grew (from less than 25% in 2005) to about 53% under Peter Obi in 2010/2011 but fell under Willie Obiano to 14.78% in 2020. Yes, poverty more than doubled under Peter Obi and more than 50% of Ndi Anambra were in poverty under him. Go and verify! I am Governor, and sitting on privileged information which I will not want to use against a political opponent. But on matters of facts, I will always state same as is. As the saying goes, you can fool some of the people some of the time but never all the people all the time. Enough said for now!

 


Where do we go from here? I listened to my friend Gov El-Rufai on TV explaining why the northern governors decided that power should shift to the South. According to him, they asked themselves what would their founding fathers—Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa or Aminu Kano have done in the circumstance. Today, I ask my people, Ndigbo: do we ask what Azikiwe or M.I. Okpara or Akanu Ibiam would do in the present circumstance? I worry that Ndigbo as Nigeria’s foremost itinerant tribe and with the greatest stake in the Nigerian project does not yet have a strategy to engage Nigeria—politically! Every four years, we resurface with emotive Nzogbu Nzogbu political dance (“it is our turn dance” but without organization or strategy) and fizzle out afterwards while others work 24/7 strategizing and organizing.

 


Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win. He knows the game he is playing, and we know too; and he knows that we know. The game he is playing is the main reason he didn’t return to APGA. The brutal truth (and some will say, God forbid) is that there are two persons/parties seriously contesting for president: the rest is exciting drama! That many Americans may not like the fact that Joe Biden (79 years) and Donald Trump (76 years) are two frontrunners for president in their parties does not remove the fact that if both of them emerge as candidates, definitely one of them will be president in 2024.

 


As my brother, I wish him well and even pray for him. I told him during his courtesy call that my prayer is that himself or Prof Umeadi of APGA would win, why not? That is from my heart, but I also told him that my head and facts on the ground led me to know that it’s probability is next to zero (what I cannot say before you, I won’t say behind you). So I already told him my opinion. Indeed, there is no credible pathway for him near the first two positions, and if care is not taken, he won’t even near the third position. Analysts tell him you don’t need “structure” to win. Fantasy! Of course, LP won governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun on social media and via phantom polls, while getting barely 2,000 votes on ground. Creating a credible third force for presidential election in Nigeria requires a totally different strategy and extreme hard work.

 


Of course, Peter Obi will get some votes, and may probably win in Anambra state--- as “home boy”. But Anambra is not Nigeria. If he likes, I can even campaign for him but that won’t change much. From internal state by state polling available to me, he was on course to get 25% in 5 states as at August this year. The latest polling shows that it is down to four states, and declining. Not even in Lagos state (supposed headquarters of urban youths) where Labour Party could not find candidates to contest for House of Reps or Senate. The polls also show that he is taking votes away mostly from PDP. Indeed, if I were Asiwaju Tinubu, I would even give Peter Obi money as someone heading one of the departments of his campaign because Obi is making Tinubu’s pathway to victory much easier by indirectly pulling down PDP. It is what it is!

 


The current fleeting frenzy, if not checked, will cost Ndigbo dearly for years. The South East has the lowest number of votes of any region, but it is also the only region where the presidential race might be a 4-way race (it is a two-way race in the other 5 regions) thereby ensuring that our votes won’t count in the making of the next president of Nigeria. Afterwards, we would start complaining that we don’t get “what we deserve” or cry of marginalization. During the 2019 presidential election, the five South East States were united for PDP but contributed merely 1.6 million votes to PDP which was about the votes that Kano state gave to Buhari. The emotions might run to heavens but politics-power is about cold calculations, organization and building alliances for power. In a democracy, it is a game of numbers. So far, I don’t see any of these--- and 2023 might again be a wasted opportunity for Ndigbo! What is our Plan B when Peter Obi loses in February 2023? Some people prefer that we should play the Ostrich while Peter Obi toys with the collective destiny of over 60 million Igbos. Yes, you pray that he wins, but what if he fails as he is certain to? The Bible says that my people perish for lack of knowledge. As the saying goes, only those who Plan can control the future. Ndigbo, wake up and smell the coffee!

 


What would Zik of Africa or M.I. Okpara do in this circumstance? Our founding fathers understood that in politics, you don’t get what you deserve but what you bargain/negotiate, and you negotiate with your organization and VOTES. Not social media militancy or bullying (where over 90% of actual voters are not on social media)! Our fathers built alliances with other major political parties in other regions (not with socio-cultural groups that don’t command any votes), and Ndigbo were in the reckoning in the first and second republics. After the elections, we will see how many votes any of the leaders of the socio-cultural groups will get for Peter Obi from their wards. Sometimes I even sense a conspiracy to nudge us on a path to nowhere thereby further pushing us into irrelevance, and I pray that I am wrong. Just my two cents!

 


It is not too late for Ohanaeze Ndigbo and progressive Igbo leaders to pre-emptively start charting a pragmatic future for Ndigbo in Nigeria after the elections.  Armchair social media analysts can have the luxury of fantasizing with wild speculations. Right or wrong, they earn their pay and with no consequences. For us as leaders, the lives of tens of millions are at stake. We have a historic duty to act and being silent or politically correct is not an option. For starters, Ohanaeze should study the report of my committee (planning and strategy) in 2019. It may still be relevant today. Second, Ndigbo should seriously study the MoU signed at the Yar’Adua Centre in 2010. The leader of Igbo Political Association, Chief Simon Okeke and our members are still there. Thirdly and for me, Ndigbo should strategize and bargain especially with the TWO candidates likely to be president on at least four central issues:

 


A) Lasting peace and security in the South East, including the release and engagement with Nnamdi Kanu.

 

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) Levelling the playing field for the unleashing of the private sector and the full participation of Ndigbo in the economic and governance space; etc.

 


To conclude, let me once again wish my brother Peter Obi good luck. He should have fun and enjoy the fleeting frenzy of the moment. But he must moderate the desperation as exhibited by his social media mob. There is a limit to propaganda. A mob action often reflects the character of its leader. No one has a monopoly of social media violence, and no one should play God. Life won’t end by February/March 2023. 


I hope that after February 2023, Peter Obi will return to APGA (the party that made him everything he is political) as I offered him on 8th March 2022 and begin the hard work, if he truly wants to be president of Nigeria. It won’t happen by desperately jumping from one party to another or by unleashing a social media mob on everyone who slightly disagrees with you. I decided to pen my views personally -- again for the records. On this, I don’t mind being a one-man minority. As history beckons, my conscience and sense of duty to my people dictate that I should never be silent. I will happily accept the judgment of history for standing by the truth!

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