2023 is still a long time away from now. Three years is a very long time in politics yet too short for political strategising and re-strategising towards a crucial poll such as the Presidency of any country. Time flies and in politics, it could fly as faster as possible. That is why some National leaders are sometimes caught unprepared when their tenure comes to an abrupt end thus necessitating yet another term and an anti-constitutional third term like the situation in Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Conakry and what wanted to play out in 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and his tenure elongation strategy.
In present Nigeria, the Presidential polls are slated for the next three years, 2023, when President Muhammadu Buhari and his terrible Government would be history. Permutations towards the election have begun in earnest. The powerful Presidential nephew and cabal leader, Mamman Daura, had argued unpopularly recently that rotation and zoning should be jettisoned for merit and competence come 2023. And some time ago, the President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, had granted a controversial interview to the Lagos-based national newspaper, Vanguard, where he stirred the hornet’s nest by declaring that the northern politicians were still very much interested in the 2023 Presidential poll and in succeeding President Buhari. Shettima may have spoken in his private capacity as a Nigerian and in such circumstance, he was entitled to his opinion. But even at that, he goofed by veering off and shooting without consideration of the centrifugal forces pulling Nigeria in different directions presently. In the interview the over-fed Shettima had said:
‘How can you think we will cede power to the South in 2023? The North still wants the presidency. The south is in charge of the economy and they have everything, so why would they want to take away the only thing we have?’
However, while eulogising the capacity and patriotism of Orji Uzor Kalu, a friend of the north, in the said interview Yerima had said the Southeast zone could not aspire to produce the President while threatening the peace of the country by calling for the disintegration of Nigeria. All in all, his preference for Orji Uzor Kalu says a lot about how the Northern Cabal are seriously considering Orji Uzor Kalu for a potential Southeast candidate should a stringent need arise in 2023 to support a candidate of Igbo extraction.
Senator Kalu, given his academic credentials, gubernatorial experience (and now legislative clout as the Chief-whip of the upper legislative chamber) is eminently qualified to rule Nigeria. But as an ex-convict (even though his conviction had been quashed after some months in prison) it is debatable whether a man charged and convicted of economic crimes against his state could be entrusted with higher responsibility and enormous powers of a President of a great Nation-state like Nigeria.
When Senator Kalu was the Executive Governor of Abia State tales abounded of his dictatorship, high-wire corruption, nepotism and hubris. His mother, nicknamed ‘Mama Excellency’ was said to have wielded limitless powers with which she amassed wealth illicitly and dispensed favours to cronies. Mother and son were in perfect governing sync with abuse of power and privilege happening here and there. Abia state was thus transformed into a fiefdom where loyalty to fetish politics was rewarded handsomely. Him and his other stooges which included his successor and estranged godson, Senator Theodore Orji ruled Abia State with a fist of steel.
On his own part, Senator Kalu has subtly made it clear that he has a good eye for the apex position and he has not minced any words to declare that he is the best shot the Igbos have at attaining Presidency due to his influence and connections in the present Government. He recently visited Minna, Niger State, where he met Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Nigerian Heads of state whom he must have ‘sold’ his ambition of vying for the office of the President while seeking their support. Many political observers have pondered on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s legitimacy and if he is actually the right man for the job? Given his penchant for corruption and bad company, many have argued that hoisting him as a figurehead for Igbo Presidency would only meet major resistance from major Southeast stakeholders as Senator Kalu is not a very loved personality when it comes to Socio-political relations in the Southeastern political community and this might pose to be a huge clog on his political wheel.
Read Also: Why Senate Didn’t Declare Orji Kalu’s Seat Vacant – Lawan
For some time now, a political pressure group called the ‘Igbo for President Solidarity Congress’, IPSC, had been campaigning for a President of Igbo extraction come 2023. The group is led by one Dr Olukayode Oshinariyo. Perhaps feeling concerned about the marginalisation of the Igbos in the Presidential scheme of things since 1999 the group is making a sound argument for a ‘Biafran’ presidency post-Buhari. The IPSC had put forward names of prominent Igbos who possess Presidential qualities. Those cited include Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Peter Obi, Dr Chris Ngige, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Governor Dave Umahi, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe among others.
While Professor Moghalu presents a sound academic pedigree for the job (he was once a Presidential candidate) Peter Obi has the experience and leadership clout required of a democratic leader. Dr Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala is good for the job but the recent revelation online of her acquisition of American citizenship coupled with her demand for dollar salary during her ministerial stints add no value to her credentials. Senator Abaribe on the other hand can be trusted and is very capable but Senators Okorocha and Kalu had squandered the trust the people had reposed in them in their gubernatorial stewardships. They may be liked by the northerners given their university days up north yet that is not enough to confer legitimacy on them.
The call for Southeast Presidency is predicated on the prism of ‘justice, equity, and fairness. It is on record that since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democratic governance after a long haul of military dictatorship, the Northern and Western parts of Nigeria have enjoyed their fair share of the position except the Igbos. Many well-meaning Nigerians from other ethnic groups have most sincerely attested to the fact that the Southeastern part of Nigeria has been left in the political lull for a long time. And the APC Cabal have noticed this fact and have cashed in on it with the fears that if power is not shifted to the Southeastern region, there might be a ripple effect which would draw general sympathies towards the Igbos who would in turn use this renewed attention and strategy for a stronger push for secession with the secessionist movements. However, going by the usual modus operandi of the APC Cabal, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu poses to be the best candidate whom they can throw their full support behind, given his spate with the EFCC and his very corrupt political past which can be used to blackmail him into impeachment if the need be. Also, the political alignments with the Supreme court to quash and put a hold on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s prison sentence has been viewed as a negotiation pact which would be used to keep him check when he makes a run for his Presidential bid.
The APC cabal realises the need to scheme ahead for 2023 so they won’t be overthrown from Nigeria’s helm of affairs. Scheming for an Igbo President would be at the top of their agenda to prevent things from spiraling out of their control with a change in power. Using Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as a political figurehead representing the Igbos is only a political strategy that logically looks fine on paper. But even the APC cabal realises that the Igbos and their no-nonsense attitude to corrupt leaders would be a huge stumbling block to Kalu’s Presidential ambitions when the time comes. How 2023 will play out in this scenario is what observers are still trying to decipher.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
