Introduction

The 2007 presidential election is likely to go down memory lane as one of the most interesting in the history of Nigeria’s nascent democracy. This is because the country’s political terrain is gradually boiling down to a battle of two geo-political zones that had in the past, combined so well in forming a government in both civil and military administrations. The recent comment by President Olusegun Obasanjo that the ruling party, the PDP has not zoned the presidency has added more heat to that effect. Hence, the southeast that is largely dominated by the Igbo people are poised to grab it this time while the north that is largely dominated by the Hausa-Fulani believes it is their time again having waited for eight years by 2007. These and many other factors are what will make the race to “Aso Rock” very interesting and one that needs meticulous planning. It is therefore no surprise that the two geo-political zones have commenced intensive groundwork towards a successful outing in 2007. That does not however undermine the interest of the other geo-political zones towards the same number one seat.

Whereas the preparation of the north have always been meticulously executed to a successful end-point, that of the southeast have been marred by a very high degree of betrayal, sabotage, lack of commitment, possessive individualism, morbid aggrandizement to mention but a few, resulting to the failure of the zone in grabbing the number one seat on previous occasions. Political analysts have already predicted the same come 2007, citing the same reasons as above. I have suggested in a proposal, “The Ladder to Unity” ways, which I called, Classified Functions that will go a long way in harmonising the Igbo socio-political class and the Igbo society at large. However with barely three years to the 2007 presidential election, it will be very momentous to commence intensive planning. Thus, this paper will look at some of the immediate steps that must be avoided on the one hand and taken on the other hand so as to be able to come out heads-high in the 2007 presidential election.

It is quite unfortunate so to say that an Igbo candidate is likely to battle it out with the likes of former dictator Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida popularly known and addressed as IBB and the incumbent vice president Atiku Abubakar. Two powerful and highly influential candidates that, and according to Chief Ikechukwu Igboanugo (IKB) no Igbo candidate can stand with. He made the remark in an interview granted to Vanguard Newspaper on the 9^th of August 2004. This is probably because IBB is regarded as one of the friendliest presidents yet to the Igbo people. However, while others may see it as quite unfortunate, I see it rather differently. I see it as a true test of the Igbo character and an opportunity to prove bookmakers wrong and also to put our house together. This is going to be very complex because most Igbo people benefited including chief IKB, who have been drumming support for the retired general. In this regard, he (IBB) is likely be easily accepted in this region unlike any other candidate even an Igbo candidate so to say.

But we can change all that if we have the courage and determination to get going.

Chief IKB made an interesting remark when he mentioned that the recent Ohanaeze’s enlarged political meetings would eventually fizzle out as time goes on, that the meeting will shrink, and the stakeholders will scatter. Of course, this has always been the case with Igbo politicians. This is because the Igbo man thinks largely of his personal interest rather than the collective interest of his people. A mobile policeman from Tiv in Benue state whom I was discussing with, made it clear to me that the Igbo people have what it takes to heal Nigeria but they will first of all heal themselves: for charity begins at home. When I asked him what should be done, he put it to me in a language that conforms with his profession “combat sabotage”

The man inspired me a lot into writing this article. Sabotage – the deliberate damage to productive capacity more especially as a political act has been hunting the Igbo people prior to any major election. It is not as if it happens only to the Igbo people, but the case of the Igbo people is outermost and without fear or regret. When chief IKB talked of “fizzling out” it made me to believe that there are indeed some people who attend these meetings as informants for their “bosses” or better still as “errand boys” as Governor Orji Uzor Kalu calls it. They are always the first to call for such meetings and, before one could say “Okeke Okafor,” they are out like Judas Iscariot. Recalling the scenario prior to the last presidential elections, it was the same individuals who championed the cause for an Igbo president who later deviated and betrayed the Igbo interest and nothing was done probably because there is no respected institution of control on the ground to check such level of sabotage.

If discipline must be restored within our political ranks, it will require sample case for effective implementation. It is the man who ensures discipline in his household not God. The Igbo society is a large family and the elderly ones by virtue of their age; knowledge and experience should ensure discipline through what I suggest as a Disciplinary Control Body (D.C.B). We have come a long way to reason and behave as a people without national direction and vision.

Everywhere one goes and identifies his or herself as Igbo, the person is rarely taken to be a serious person in matters related to nobility. The Igbo presently represents a people who cannot keep to their promises and secrets: always very quick in disclosing their hearts to those who shut theirs against them. At the end of the day, few individuals will be comfortable while their brothers and sisters suffer. If I may ask, is it possible for a man to be eating while his son sits by and cry of hunger? Whatever your answer is should be the way you should look at the Igbo nation.

What we need now are a group of dedicated people who will see the Igbo agenda as a family issue. If we look at ourselves, as one family there will always be room for rationale discourse in cases where there are misunderstandings, deadlocks or clash of interests. This will surely put an end to the era of running to our political “enemies” to be favoured, which has never been very effective. The family is a miniature commonwealth upon which the larger society is built. Hence, if we come together as a family in words and in deeds, we will grow to become one united and strong nation that others will require our services and support to be able to make any impact in Nigeria.

It is easily conceived that the Hausa-Fulani are not better than the Igbo people but they seem to understand the concept that a broomstick bound together is very difficult to break compared to a single broomstick. Is it not unfortunate that the Igbo people already feel defeated just because of the presence of IBB, a situation that is supposed to be the contrary if only we transformed our knowledge of unity into practise?

The bible has it that by one-man sin came into the world and by the same one man the world is save. I am prophetically compelled to say here that by the considerable negative acts by our politicians, the Igbo people have lost their integrity within Nigeria and the world as a whole. However, if our politicians can restore within their ranks the pride of the Igbo people, we will be politically restored and the lord shall make of us a great people. The lord shall again restore and rebuild the pride of the Igbo people within the ranks of the world and the Igbo people shall again be a great nation.

A possible Igbo gathering is in the corner, which is the “Igbo Day” and one hopes that the occasion will be the gradation period of a united Igbo nation. I have suggested quite a lot in my proposal mentioned above and if the principle is implemented through the three major institutions in the proposal and the formation of other institutions of control, I believe the future for the up coming generations will be very bright and they will have reasons to smile. Presently the land is bitter and if our leaders cannot turn these pains into joy and happiness, fate will always reckon on them whether in this world or in the imagery world.

Personally, I have decided to fight against any Igbo individual through the media (where necessary), who writes or speaks against the Igbo agenda. It is not as if the Igbo man is not free to support the candidate of his or her choice, but let it be his personal choice and that of his biological family most probably. It must not be associated or portrayed to represent the Igbo interest because such fervour has always ended in morbid aggrandisement. A typical example is the case of chief IKB who is selfishly asking the Igbo people to support IBB. If he (IKB) wants to campaign for IBB, he is free; after all, the difference in their initials is just the K. However, he should not sound like the early hour “microphones” in the streets of Onitsha. I stand to leave a legacy whether I succeed now or not, that there were indeed “Noah’s” in this generation.

Together in one mind (ofu obi), we will build our society.