IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

For the umpteenth time, Mr. Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election has come under snide remarks from a kinsman and governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.

In the past,  Soludo had always attempted to rubbish claims of Obi’s legacies when the latter was  Anambra State governor by mounting blistering attacks on the his accomplishments. He did this by presenting false reports and narratives to justify his position. When the people of Anambra who experienced the good works of Obi and the enviable records he left behind countered and rebuked Soludo for trying to diminish Obi’s achievements and for peddling falsehood, he changed gear, and began to dispute the amount Obi left in the coffers of Anambra State. On that also, he was countermanded, thereafter, he retreated only to come again this time with sneering remarks on Obi’s insistence to do one term if elected as president. He has been quoted by different mediums and forums, where he said those promising one term are fraudulent and undesirable elements desperate to grab power for ulterior motives.

Soludo has become what the Igbo call Nwanna or Ulọ negbu (death/evil that comes from a kinsman.) Obi and Soludo are from Anambra State and they are both devoit Catholics as they claim, so what is the problem of Soludo? In the same vein, Obi is gunning for a presidential ticket while Soludo is seeking a second term as Anambra State governor so why the animosity from Soludo? If it is another person consistently attacking Obi with the intent to scuttle his presidential ambition, is Soludo, Anambra and the Igbo in general not expected to come his defense, assault the person and ensure that their kinsman’s ambition remains on course? It is time, that when a few prople like us claim that Ndi Igbo are more to blaim for the illtreatments they are receiving in Nigeria, some mischievious ignoramus will continue to dispute that fact  and begin to call us names?

The inordinate ambition and covetiousness of Igbo like Soludo are the reason Ndi Igbo are scoffed at today in Nigeria despite their dominating prowess. The irony of the whole thing is that Soludo and his like, rather than being condemned and censored in Igbo land are being celebrated and revered, by the same Igbo who are being daily betrayed and denigrated by the activities of these saboteurs.

To amplify the invidious characters of Igbo like Soludo, his co-travelers and the dangers their reprehensible posturing are causing the Igbo nation, here is how Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, in 2015 had to expressed her displeasure at Prof. Chukwuma Soludo:  “There is definitely an issue of character with Prof. Soludo and his desperate search for power and relevance in Nigeria. Nigerians should, therefore, beware of so-called intellectuals without character and wisdom because this combination is fatal.”

Unfortunately, Igbo consciousness that appears to have been afflicted by the intolerable activities of Igbo politicians and elites seems to have had a toll on their psyche. The social and cultural values that guide Igbo assessments before any adoption have become deficient. The Igbo confidence is waning while their pride is being systematically bruised. Is not appalling that questions are no longer being on anything in Igbo land?

If Ndi Igbo continue to ignore or tolerate these assaults, it will be game over and the Igbo will cease to prevail. The time to act is now. Igbo like Soludo, Dave Umahi etc., who want to be the only ones who must succeed and call the shots in Alaigbo must be checkmated and put in their proper place. Ndi Igbo have begun to see themselves as the moonlight ghost. It will be disastrous if this is allowed to subsist. The treacherous engagements of this group must be stopped at any cost.  Anything short of this will sign the death knell on the Igbo wobbling coffin.

Boniface Alanwoko