KWENU: Our Culture, Our Future

Spate of Political Killings In Nigeria: Reactions from Abroad

Acho Orabuchi

Dallas, Texas

A_Orabuchi@yahoo.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2004

The current spate of political and senseless killings in Nigeria has continued to provoke widespread reactions by Nigerians, home and abroad, many of which have condemned the bloody acts. When our United States (US) columnists, ACHO ORABUCHI and ADEZE OJUKWU spoke to some nationals in the US, their virulent responses underscored the nation’s grief over this reign of terror.

The excerpts:

Cally Nlemchy resides in Houston, Texas, and he expressed his concerns quite vividly:  “You know, the whole scenario gets scarier each time you go on the Internet to read about Nigeria. As it stands today, the whole country appears to be drifting towards anarchy and lawlessness. The level of insecurity in that country now, is more than it has ever been in my lifetime. If nothing is done to curb or, as a matter of fact, completely eradicate this spate of killings, the Cowboy's story of the America's Old West will be like a child's play. I still hold the government, from top to bottom, responsible for the safety of the Nigerian populace. These killings are, in part, the reason, or the major reason, why investments in Nigeria by foreign firms, that could have provided decent jobs for the scores of unemployed graduates back home, now seem to be a thing of the past.”

Austin Uke of Dallas, Texas condemned the violent trend in very strong words:  “Political killings in Nigeria should and must be condemned, without reservation, by all especially the ranking sons and daughters of Nigeria. Candidly speaking, mere condemnation of these senseless killings is not enough. I believe that massive public outrage against these killings will bring sanity and quality to the new crop of leaders that may be desirable in future Nigerian politics.”

Morgan Iroha, who lives in Arlington, Texas, blamed it on the nation’s leadership. Hear him: “When a pack of hyenas usurps leadership, it is mayhem in the animal kingdom. Nigeria has been hijacked by a pack of hyenas named the PDP, a banquet of blood letting is their modus operandi.”

Chuks Ibekwe, speaking from Florida described it as a threat to the Igbo nation:  “Irrespective of other political dimensions to this issue, any threat on the life of any Igbo leader should be taken very seriously. After they killed Okadigbo and Ndi Igbo did nothing, they figured they could kill other Igbo leaders with impunity. We will stand behind our man if only to send a serious message to PDP and its hired killers and thugs.’ 

He continued his argument: ‘the threat must be serious or imminent; otherwise Governor Orji Kalu would not have spoken openly about it. After all, his life has always been in danger. Whether the threat is real or imagined, Ndi Igbo must speak out - and as loud as possible. These senseless killings must stop. How can we progress with this kind of reputation constantly hanging over our head? Unfortunately, Igboland is still part of Nigeria; therefore we cannot remove ourselves from the stigma. We need to attract investors to Igboland. This is why we all need to join efforts to end this ugly development.”

Franklyne Emmanuel Ogbunwezeh, of Frankfurt, Germany poured vituperations on the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. His words:  “Political killings and heat it is generating is arrant nonsense. The thieves have actually realized the true people to be killed, namely the politicians. I hope they target Aso Rock and all the governors lodges and local Government Chairmen residences. For long the common Nigerians have been mowed down by assassins bullets, the government did not view it as a rise in violent crime, only when politicians are killed that we are deluged with this kind of sickening nonsense. Nigeria has been unsafe all along and if it only takes the killing of high profile politicians for the government to realize it, then it is symptomatic of the absentee government we have in Nigeria, which does not feel the pulsations or pains of the populace. Plutocrats that stole our wealth should be held accountable for this national calamity. All corrupt leaders, past and present, should all be brought to book.”

 Ngozi Iturrey, responding from Miami, Florida, urged all concerned citizens to rise up against this huge challenge: “Brothers killing brothers… I salute men like Kalu who have the courage to stand up for truth and ask for it. Nigeria, wake up and look at the twisted beam in your eye….”

Gibson Chigbu, who spoke from New Orleans, Louisiana, pointed to some of the possible social and economic consequences of this trend: “The recent killings in Nigeria is most devastating for the citizens. Many will suffer irreparable damages such as lost opportunities for competitive commerce, high cost of living above and beyond the hell they currently live in, and physical and psychological damages which will take years to restore if ever.”

Samson Isibor, who spoke from Atlanta, Georgia, responded with more questions than answers: “I don't know if these killings are politically motivated or people are just venting their anger and frustrations at the system. Truly, I am very concerned about the killing of our politicians and their friends. Each time I read or hear about stories of Nigerian politicians being killed, I think of our roll as part of PDP Nigeria. The questions I always ask myself are, if the people in high positions in Nigeria can be killed easily, what about us in the US? What message are they trying to send? Can we really tell it like it is without fear? Are our leaders really trying to cure these problems or they like it just the way it is, since they have not been victims, and the ones that were victims but made it out alive, what are they doing to make sure laws are in place to battle these crimes.”

 Geoffrey Sunny Ngharam, who spoke from Finland, tried to provide a historical framework for this orgy of violence. His words: “The political killings in Nigeria should not be a surprise to any body who thinks ahead. It has got the backings of the so-called heavy weights and that is why it is very difficult to uncover the executors. I say this because of the following reasons; Dele Giwa was killed with a letter bomb and up till now the planners are still there in the country intact with hints which could uncover them but without political will to pursue them until they give a positive response. All other killings have targeted leaders of both high and intermediate levels with no substantial reaction from the safety administrative authorities. Talks are only meted out in a feeble way and tactically allowed to die off with time.”

He continued his treatise: “ Corruption is so endemic that atrocities are committed in such a way that common sense tells you and points to the area that is the cause but those areas are quickly covered by either bringing in logics that wear clothes that does not make sense to the principles of progress. The records of the administrators will show that they have been deficient administratively long before their recent positions that nothing surprises and puts the taught in mind of thinkers that it is just a question of time and the old music starts singing.”

According to him, it does not surprise me because worse things may still be in the works unless the system of corruption in high and low places changes. The culture of transparency and accountability in leadership must be promoted and protected by our law books in order to avert further decimation of lives.

Bankole Adefolaju spoke from his London base:  “These assassins, irrespective of their grievances should be reminded that, even if there is no God, there is a limit to man's atrocities to man. Nigerian politicians are all evil and cheats. The decent ones among them, if any, need to shout.”

Eric Umeh from Dallas, Texas blamed it on the current leadership:. “The killings are completely absurd and barbaric. Nigerian leaders need to tackle the problems in Nigeria or they should step down for others to try. That is where I stand!”

In the last few months, a number of politicians, as well as prominent citizens have been killed. The list includes, Chief Anamosokari Albert Dikibo, Mr. Andrew Agom and a police sergeant, Mr. Luke Shigaba, Kingsley Sunday, the policeman, Victor Ossai, O. Oweriakhi, Chief Uche Ogbeh, and the list goes on. There have also been several allegations of assassination attempts.

This piece was first published by The Champion.                                                                                                         MORE ACHO :::>