The need for change of government was in the air. One Fr. Mbaka had reversed himself from support for President Goodluck Jonathan to General Muhammadu Buhari in a sermon. Nigerians, being vaingloriously responsive to prophecy, drifted in massive support of Buhari. His visit was described by some as evidence of divine intervention. Party faithful were mustered with SMS invitation to Governor’s Office and they thronged out to hear what the governor had to say about the visit. Elders were invited to boost authenticity. I was among the invited.
Governor Rochas Okorocha had invited us to develop an advice to him on what he would raise before the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC). The party is in opposition and powerfully contends with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for primary relevance in political Nigeria. Other parties are for the most part incapable of taking reins of power from any of the duo.
Our discussions on what was to be presented to the prospective president was marshalled out in dilated offerings that denied aged people their promise of breakfast. Table had been laid. Consensus was reached on two people to make presentations on behalf of Imo Council of Elders after some contentions were raised on persons within the fold. The candidate was believed to be on board and landing time was long since reached.
All of a sudden, alert came that entourage of the candidate was at the governor’s private residence. The governor, in his usual reverence for visitors, almost dashed out to receive them and forgot that he had assembled at least 20 seniors in his home from time-barred breakfast time of 7.30 am until alarm blew.
Some seniors were on medication that demanded food before using. They suffered through the long period before Buhari came and after 11 am when his entourage moved in. The seniors were abandoned in separate parts of Okorocha’s mansion to their pains. It was necessary after breakfast with the hallowed guest to move to Sam Mbakwe Chambers for a formal meeting with the guest, and his entourage comprised of top executives of APC and some of their board members.
I saw Tony Momoh who had kept with Buhari for his character through one generation and more. I spoke with him to receive assurances on Buhari’s character in order to better brief my people. I spoke with Onwa Anambra, Chris Ngige, and sought to know his feelings about Ohanaeze condition. He would prefer the quandary of Ohanaeze to last, so that his party would gain. I did not think that was right and told him so.
I spoke with former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo. He was as sprightly and hilarious as ever. I spoke with chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, who was my Edo idol in yesteryears. There was an air of salubrity all around the Change Anticipation in all heads and hearts. A general feeling of divine intervention, not spoken, was felt by most people in the gathering.
Chief of extemporisation, Okorocha opened up at Sam Mbakwe Hall formally welcoming Buhari to Owerri. His wits about his defeat at primaries set up a mild uproar. He himself rushed through what could have been presented by the nominated duo for time to return on a scheduled flight had come. Okorocha could only speak about roads – Enugu to Port Harcourt, Aba to Calabar and Owerri to Port Harcourt as primary arteries. He wanted direct contract on second Niger Bridge. He forgot petrochemical plant that had huge employment and subsidiary industry potentials. He did not dwell enough on national insecurity and the threat on Igbo people with amazing potentials for dispersal all over the world and the need to ensure their safety and productive life, wherever they may dwell, and make positive contributions.
He forgot to stress that the real responsibility of leadership is protection of the led and assurance that only the best technocrats should be engaged without discrimination to fend for the betterment of the majority. Those who qualify to add multiples to national wealth and well being should be engaged without qualms as to origin. The bottom line of good governance is pervasive wealth and well being of all in the land. If one tribe can assure that, why should a president bother? The decline of Nigeria should be levied on quota.
Buhari did not address any of the issues raised to him by the governor. He spoke of his military exploits and precipitately landed on his quip on Jonathan that corruption was growing in leaps and bounds under his watch and something drastic had to be done about it. I believe he will choose the right technocrats for the job if he lands it. He did not address the price Ndigbo had to pay through the war years and their loss of the third position in Nigeria has cost them. Neglect of Ndigbo will always count as Nigeria’s loss any time into the far future. The disintegration proclivity was not even on Buhari’s radar. The Boko Haram debacle did not feature.
Famished like desert dwellers, elders dispersed with glum faces and utter revulsion for the treatment meted out to them.