NDI IGBO ARE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS, DON'T UNLEASH THUGS ON THEM

Ndi Igbo Are Partners In Progress, Don't Unleash Thugs On Them

Everyone has right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering , and the opportunity to lead a productive life.

- Jimmy Carter. 

I wrote a piece on March 17, 2023 titled: "Politics, Thuggery and Nigerian Politicians: Where Do We Go From Here?" I wrote the article after watching a viral video on social media - where thugs from a political party attacked another political party during their campaign rally. The write-up was widely read. In that piece, I argued that leadership is earned and not forced, and that politics is about performance and genuine influence.

Any politician who has not done well for his people will resort to promotion of violence and manipulations. This is the problem we have in Nigeria. The viral video by a leader of NURTW that Igbos should sit at home on Guber and House of Assembly elections - if they won't vote for the ruling party is a No No! This type of intimidation shouldn't be encouraged. 

Police spokesman in Lagos described the threat as a joke but what we experienced in our Estate in Ikeja on Saturday, March 18, wasn't a joke. Thugs came to warn us to stay indoors if we are not voting for the ruling party. From updates from the traditional and social media, this threat was experienced in other places too. I almost went emotional watching a lady who wasn't allowed to vote at Ajah because she refused to be intimidated by thugs that insisted she must vote for APC. She cried and left the place without voting. 

I read a shocking post online by Dr Ogunlana who was not allowed to vote because he looked like an Igbo person. This is the height of it! Imagine disenfranchising your brother because he looked "Igboish."  My friend on Facebook Engr Edu expressed her frustration on social media how she wasn't allowed to vote because she wasn't going to vote for the ruling party. This is heartbreaking.

We saw videos of attacks by political thugs. In my neighborhood, APC thugs attacked voters with dangerous weapons before the estate community invited security agents. What was the offence of the people that warranted the attack? The simple answer is nothing. Their offence was being Igbo voters! 

My neighbour and friend Chief Emeka was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle. He was treated in a hospital. Another friend of mine, Ken,a banker, got his share of broken bottle injury. What was his offence? The simple answer is being an Igbo voter! 

This is happening in the 21st century. This type of oppression is happening in the supposed largest democracy in Africa.

 I weep for my country Nigeria.

The popular Port Harcourt Band StoneCold lyrics, "Landlord Travel And See," comes handy at a time like this. We all travel to different states and countries. We will automatically live in other people's states and countries when we travel. How do we want to be treated? Ponder on this question. 

The United States, Canada, UK, Europe, and some other nations are loved and respected because of freedom and rule of law. The grass is greener where you water it. Let's begin to water our own grasses. We need love for one another to achieve this goal. 

We have Nigerians in diaspora who are succeeding in their endeavours overseas.

Nobody is threatening them not to vote or to go home. Barrack Obama who has Kenyan ancestry was President in the most powerful Country in the world. The PM of Britain Rishi Sunak has his ancestry from Northwestern India. He is the PM of Britain and nobody is complaining that Indians will take over Britain. This is the beauty of democracy. 

Let me commend my Yoruba brothers and sisters who have distanced themselves from this tribal manipulation. Fair play is the rule. Thanks to FIFA. 

The problem we have here is not a tribal issue. I see it as manipulation of ordinary citizens by the political class. An average Igbo man have no problem with a Yoruba man. An average Hausa man, have no issues with an Ijaw man. An Idoma woman have no problem with a Benin woman, and so on. If you want to confirm this position, observe where Nigerians watch football. You will notice the friendship they share, irrespective of their tribe and religion. The problem is the political class that play the ethnic and religious cards when they want to explore tactics to divide the people. Nigerians, be wise. 

I have great Yoruba friends. Akin was my friend during our days at University of Nigeria in the 90s. He later joined the Army and we are still in touch to this day. Akin and his family still resides in Enugu. My Editor, Barr Olowu is one of the finest gentlemen I have met. He retired as an Asst Director in a Federal Government Agency. I worked real hard with him when I wrote my first book eleven years ago. I remember how we stayed late editing the book. There was a day we stayed up to 12am working on the book.

The Managing Director of the company that prints my books, Mr Bolaji, is like a brother to me. He's been working with us for six years and the relationship has moved from strength to strength. In fact, I have turned down other companies that came to us for printing my books. We are happy working with Mr Bolaji. 

We have good people in every region. We also have bad people in every region. Generalization is illogical. The beauty of democracy and civilization is freedom of association. Threatening people not to vote shouldn't be a topic in today's world when nations are discussing artificial intelligence, electric cars, and science and technological advancement. Let's stop promoting medieval thoughts! 

It baffles me why we should be discussing thuggery in today's politics. It is worrisome that a group of people will be bold to make pronouncement that Ndi Igbo are not allowed to vote and they actually didn't allow them to vote! What is the sin of Ndi Igbo? Nothing! 

Like I asked, where do we go from here? What is the President saying in this issue? 

Nigeria is the big brother of Africans. With over 200m people, Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. 

In fact, other African countries are expected to cough when Nigeria sneezes! The question is: Is Nigeria living up to expectations? Your guess is as good as mine.

Lagos is a prominent player in Nigeria. As the economic capital of Nigeria, and with a population of over 20m people, Lagos will naturally attract businesspeople and professionals. Promoting unhealthy rivalry is not in the interest of anyone. 

Let me emphasize here that Lagos is a Yoruba State. It is one of the states in the South West of Nigeria. Nobody is contesting this status. We must think and act accordingly. 

Let me also say that the FG should work to open up other States. Construction of Sea Ports, International Airports, Rail lines, and other developmental projects in other states. This is in the interest of the nation because every parts of the country will develop at their own pace. This will promote healthy competition. 

Politicians need to begin to do the right things before, during and after elections - to truly influence people. Legendary John C. Maxwell defines Leadership as Influence. I totally agree with him. I also believe that influence is earned and not forced.  

Let me explore this allegory: the boy who is following the man with a gun is doing so for either of these two reasons:

1. Following the man because of the gun, or 2. Following the man because of the man. Let me explain: If the former (the gun) is the reason of following the man, then it's forced influence. But if the latter (the man), is the reason of following the man, then we say it's genuine influence. You can't intimidate people, or force yourself on them and claim genuine influence. Freedom is one of the beauty of democracy. This can't be overemphasized. 

Ndi Igbo are partners in progress. Igbos develop anywhere they go. They add great value anywhere they find themselves. There's an Igbo adage,''Ebe Onye Bi Ka Ona Awachi," which is translated as, "Wherever you live is where you care for.'' This is why Ndi Igbo contribute massively to the growth and development of their host communities.

I often laugh at mischievous people who promote the notion that Ndi Igbo want to take over Lagos. How? Will they move the land in Lagos to Igbo land, or will they move the property to South East? This argument is illogical. 

Let me tell you the truth. You see, Igbos love passionately their roots. This is why they travel to the South East every Christmas and New Year. I travel to the East at least six times yearly for one business or the other. 

The republican nature of Ndi Igbo made us to sojourn in other states for mutual value delivery. 

We should promote love and friendship. We should promote peaceful coexistence. Anyone who is not promoting peace is the real enemy. My recommendations to the political class is simple:  Engage Ndi Igbo and other Nigerians who live in Lagos more ... in a mutually beneficial discussions, instead of intimidating them during elections. 

- I don't vote for political parties, I vote for individuals. I voted for Fashola, Jimi Agbaje, and Sanwo-olu. At the national, I voted for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi. This is my pattern. I vote on principles, not on party line. I voted for the Governor of Lagos state in 2019 because some people in my neighborhood sold his candidacy to me and I bought it. It wasn't forced on me. I was convinced and I voted for him. I am a Sales and Marketing Consultant. I buy products when I am convinced. A lot of people belong to this category. Politicians should sell to electorates. 

- Know that Igbos are not the only non indigenous people in Lagos, so let developmental projects and good governance reach all the inhabitants of Lagos State. Let indigenes experience good governance too. 

- The Governor of Lagos State should lead an advocacy on peaceful coexistence of Lagosians. We are one. I saw the way he sold himself to Lagosians two weeks before the election. He reached the grassroot. He worked hard to connect with people. That is commendable. The Gov should get closer to the people before elections. Performance is the best form of political campaigns. 

- Politicians should move away from violence, intimidation, and politics of oppression. The end result of this path is usually not palatable. Please note always that Ndi Igbo are partners in progress. Let me conclude by stating that we live our legacy everyday. We are either investing in our Legacy Account, or withdrawing from the account. The choice is ours.

Remember that at the end of our journey here on earth, we shall face our Maker. Power is transient. Nothing in life is permanent. Move from good to better, then to best. George O. Emetuche, is a passionate Nigerian Writer and Professional who desires a better Country that works for everyone.