Separating Facts From Sentiments in 2023; The Atiku Question
I have always made bold to reiterate my genuine believe in the reality that Nigeria can be fixed. Nigeria can get working again when we have the right leaders at the helms of her affairs. This is the case we have always made for democracy and one we are ready to support again because we have not lost focus in that genuine believe.
This time, in as much as I agree that the Igbos should be given the opportunity to produce the President of Nigeria because the Igbos are also a great stakeholders in the Nigerian project, they’ve paid a lot of prices for the unity of our nation, this is a fact. But the sentiments remains that the Igbos are not ready yet to tow this line, considering the voting demography of Nigeria, the Southeast and South south do not have any block votes to effect this vision because even Kaduna alone can outvote our divided votes. Therefore, this dream is still a work in the making, inventing our votes in it will mean a repeat of 2015 election where notwithstanding enjoying power of incumbency, we could not deliver Goodluck Jonathan because the demography is against us.
What are we doing to counter this lopsided demography? Can we achieve that without restructuring of the present composition of Nigeria? Igbo presidency will remain far from us, that is why we are advocating for Nigerians to support a man like Atiku whom we believe, if given the opportunity, will bring Nigerians together on the table to discuss a way forward in a restructured and a progressing Nigeria that will make her a level playing ground for everyone. This is the reason I have continued to make case in strong support of the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
I am among few Nigerians that have not given up on the endless possibilities of a better Nigeria when a man like Atiku is allowed to bring his wealth of experience to bear on harnessing our potentials. In him, I see a Leader, a Democrat, a Bureaucrat, a man with economic and managerial capacity to turn Nigeria around with his wealth of experience that stood him out during Obasanjo’s administration.
Finally, let me reemphasize that Nigeria at this moment don’t need just any leader as our problem is not rooted on zoning or tribe, but on choosing the right man for the job.
I also still maintain that we need a man with the capabilities and capacity to snatch the power from the cabals, the puvayors of our collective wealth, and hand it back to the people.
So before you accuse me of being an enemies of Igbo Presidency, remember that I said we have to be politically ready before we start, we must restructure Nigeria for it, strengthen our constitution and build political alignment with other regions which the Southeast region presently lack.
Politics is a game of reality and not sentiments and does not produce result in emotions.
Supporting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is creating greater chance for restructuring and youths in politics. Nigeria needs a President that will be for all Nigerians to unite all Nigerians as our progress rests on our unity.
Chief Dr Emeka C. Kalu
DG, Global Initiative for Good Governance (GIGG)
