Kalu: Does he have a chance?
Chinedu Maduabum
Onitsha, Nigeria
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Introduction
Let
me commence by stating that I am an admirer of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and, since his
declaration to contest for the 2007 presidential election in December last year,
it has even increased my respect for him. However, I do not want to draw the
conclusion that he is serious about his declaration. In the past, there have
been cases of Ndiigbo declaring for the number-one seat in the country only to
end up begging to be number-two or three. And when we look at the issue of
“rotational” presidency, the second slot may just fall to an Igbo person. Hence,
I don’t want to conclude that Dr. Kalu is actually aiming for the number-one
seat. That does not mean he is not a potential candidate for 2007.
Indeed, there is no doubt that the Abia State Governor has over the years made himself acceptable amongst the Igbo people and Nigeria as a whole by his glaring achievements especially in the area of sports which is one of the uniting factors in the country. His success with Enyimba, the Aba outfit football club, in the African champion’s League is one that has come to stay. This alone is one achievement that has made him even more acceptable and popular in Nigeria. However, politics and indeed Nigerian politics have little or nothing to do with one's achievements. It is simply “what the generals want.” So where do we place the chances of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu?
Looking at his vision
As the 2007 general elections draw nearer, activities and expectations have understandably increased. There have been series of alignments and realignments going on. All shades of opinions and sentiments have also been expressed. Dr. Kalu in an address with a theme Nigeria at 45, made it clear that he wants to heal the wounds of Nigerians by restoring security, eradicate poverty as well as fight against bribery and corruption even in the highest places. He listed Nigeria’s problems as thus: wickedness in the land, greed, stealing of public funds, murder, assassinations, sabotage, arson, injustice, slander, mutual suspicion, back-biting, sex for marks, cultism, robbery, occultisms, child-trafficking and drug abuse. He concluded by asking, “Can any nation under the grip of these problems ever make any meaningful progress. Of course No!
His vision and plans are not new to the Nigerian public. There is hardly a politician who has not mentioned those things in one way or the other as the countries predicaments only to end up doing the opposite. How then Dr. Kalu does want us to believe that he can achieve all these in this country with a different political culture? Will he be courageous enough to bring the ex-military leaders to justice in his bid to fight against injustice or does he intend to forget the past and ensure that ozoemena? In the latter issue, I think he can make it count but in the former, he may just have set a standard too high for him that may spell against him come 2007. However, Nigerians are expecting a change like the one that is almost a reality in Anambra state so maybe this may just be in his favour. Or do you think otherwise? Your opinion is as good as mine.
Looking at his leadership quality
This is one area that Dr. Kalu seems to possess over and above most of the governors in the country. Inasmuch as His leadership quality can be drawn mainly from his state where he is the governor for over six years now, he has also shown amidst the Nigerian populace that he possess the quality to lead this country. Personally I don’t know the governor but when I visited the state recently I discovered for myself the stuff he is made of with what I saw on the ground. My admiration for the governor had centred mainly in the area of sports but it was transformed to not just in the area of sports but also to the ekwueme concept after my visit to the state capital.
However, one major problem most leaders in the past had encountered is ethnic consciousness. Ironically this is the area, which the governor is imbalance. The governor, in defence of his kinsmen in the event of religious and ethnic crisis in the past, seems to have landed himself in deep problem as many now see him as another "Ojukwu" in disguise. This is a very sensitive issue that may work heavily against the Abia State hero. However, as some see it as being tribalistic, I think it is courageous and heroic of him and only add to his accolade of leadership qualities. One must have the courage to say “no,” even at the risk of displeasing others.
In times like this when many are afraid to come out and say the truth so as not to jeopardise their future political ambitions, he has demonstrated that he is a leader who will stand by the unity of this country. Thus, I think Dr. Kalu has all the leadership quality it takes to rule Nigeria. And he even made it clear that Nigeria needs a people-oriented person who is broadminded and God-fearing. It is based on it that he has been able to achieve quite a lot in his state and with the Aba outfit football club. He is one of the very few new generation politicians in the country with modern innovation who can transform this country from its old political culture to a more modern and acceptable one to all and sundry. However, and in a country like Nigeria, does he really have any chance of making it to Aso Rock come 2007?
Looking at his chances
In a country like Great Britain (not even the United States of America) where democracy is practise with at least an iota of transparency, someone in the calibre of Dr. Kalu would have been dreaming of making it to Downing Street (the British equivalent of Aso Rock). However, and unfortunately for him this is Nigeria where everything is done the Nigerian way. It is a country where Leaders are pre-selected and then elected in a mysterious election. On this basis I sincerely believe that the Abia born indigene or any other civilian have very little or no chance of making it to Aso Rock.
With the likes of retired generals in the race, one may not be mistaken to say that all the civilian aspirants are merely jostling for the number two seat. I am not trying to rule out the possibility of a pure civilian emerging president in 2007 but you will agree with me that it will be an uphill task. But in a situation where Nigeria is desperately in need of a revolution if not a divine one, then Dr. Kalu by my calculation is in poll position towards Aso Rock come 2007.
He is without doubt the leading candidate in the South East and there is likely not going to be any other candidate that will pull as much weight as he is enjoying by virtue of his glaring, transparent and outstanding leadership qualities. Or is there any?
Hence, Dr. Kalu is presently the bride amongst his kinsmen and, even if he does not put much in his campaign in the region, he is still likely going to make a reasonable impact. However, my advice for him is not to relent in his region since the Igbo man is known to be highly unpredictable in situations like this. Having said this, I think the governor will make a great deal of impact if he capitalises on the new South East - Middle Belt romance.
It has been a long standing tradition that the Igbo people had found ready accommodation with the northerners in the past when it comes to merging but with the northerners agitating for a return of the presidency, it is high time the governor looks for a new romance from the South-South, South West or/and Middle Belt. If the governor is serious about his presidential ambition, then he can make a meaningful impact if he gets the support of the Middle Belt region. This is one silent region that has the power vote to swing the victory to any direction whether by selection or election.
Another region the governor needs to consolidate is the South West since the region has no presidential ambition being the present the custodians of the seat at least till 200? – No body knows actually. However, in an event that it becomes clear that the region will relinquish power, it will be an uphill task for the governor because relationship between the two zones has never been good. But since in politics there is no permanent enemy, experimenting may just be the beginning of a long lasting resolution. In all, the governor can make a real impact if he is in good rapour with the power that will hand over in 2007. I think to me is the most important for now.
Conclusion
Dr.
Orji Uzor Kalu is a fine and dedicated Nigerian who truly and sincerely wants to
serve this country to the best of his capacity, just as so many others in the
dark. Personally, I believe if given the chance, he will definitely take Nigeria
to a height that will surely baffle the Governor himself. His visions and
leadership qualities are okay for the modern world, and his age is just the
right one for modern presidents. However, I have my fear and that is not just
for him alone but for all the civilians nursing the ambition to unseat the
incumbent. It is not far-fetched. I have mentioned it earlier: “the
ex-generals.” Believe it or not they are the ones controlling the Nigerian
political terrain and to contest an election with them is as good as admitting
defeat before a vote is cast.
On this backdrop I say that the Abia State-born indigene’s chances rest strictly in the hands of God or, shall I say, the ex-generals? Whoever says men are not gods should try the ex-generals.
See you on the other side.