Anambra: Suspension of Traditional Rulers, Wither APGA

OGBUEFI DR. HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI

I will start this piece with two popular proverbs in the standard Igbo orthography: ‘Okenye adighi nma ino na ulo, ewu amuo na ogbu’. (It is inappropriate for an elder to ignore a goat giving birth, while it is tied to a stake). Okuku na eti mkpu; o bughi ka egbe hapu nwa ya, kama ka uwa nu akwa ya. (The hen cries over its chick snatched by the kite so the world could hear her travails).  

As an Igbo son, birthed and bred in Igbo land, we are taught that proverbs are the palm oil with which we eat our words. We are also taught to respect our traditional institutions, because they are our legacy, heritage. Whoever contravenes these norms, appears like the prodigal son, who has challenged his chi, to a wrestling contest, simply because he has grown some biceps. He is like a child, who before the age of maturity, adopts to use wrappers, unmindful of the fact that they could shield his views and vision. This is the state our dear party the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA seems to be heading towards at this crucial moment in history.

Without boring anyone with the history of the great APGA, institutionalized with the efforts and influence of our father, our mentor, our odogwu, Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, everyone appreciates the fact that the Igbo man does not see the party as a political structure but as a consciousness for the Igbo man to rustle himself from the deep sleep. I was not there when the initial founders designed the logo which auspiciously has a crowing cock, a symbol in many cultures (including Igbo’s) of a new dawn, as exemplified by the crowing cock at the break of dawn. 

This consciousness, swept throughout Igbo land, making APGA a force in spite of its clear-cut vision which is to place the Igbo on a better pedestal amongst his peers in Nigeria. Everyone keyed in, and in a short while, it became apparent that APGA was the only movement for the Igbo to realize their potential and convince the larger Nigeria that their views can be transformational. The party adopted the slogan: ‘Nkea bu nke anyi’ and it has pretty worked for it against the anti-democratic forces which have outwitted her efforts in other South Eastern states with wanton electoral manipulation. However, it has maintained its grip in Anambra, but can we say so of the very near future to come? That is the very big question begging for answers.

The APGA we knew had been an inclusive party working for the good of all. The APGA we knew had been a movement, which respected the establishment, which uplifted, which did not segregate; but can we still say so of the APGA today and in the near future? I say this with due respect to all the leaders of the party, but it seems the party is derailing from its track, and with the dissenting voices everywhere, it is apparent that the divide and rule tactic is only leaving bigger cuts on our rope of unity. And this may prove politically fatal.

A lot has happened lately and keep happening. I personally do not live in the mind of our beloved Mrs Bianca Ojukwu to appreciate how she would be feeling at the moment, but something tells me she would feel used and dumped.  Frank Nneji, Alex Otti and a host of others may be feeling the same way right now, considering what has been transpiring in the past. When I heard the breaking news of the 12 traditional rulers being suspended , what came to my mind was not the highhandedness of the party leadership which many may be tempted to allude to, but what could be the root of the problem. Although traditional rulers are naturally supposed to be apolitical, whatever brings them out to partake in state politics point to a fundamental problem about the way things are being handled in our party and state. Their suspension may not be unconnected with the trip with Chief Arthur Eze to Abuja, but the party should look at what led to the disenchantment that made them undertake the said trip.

When we allege conspiracy, it is pertinent to understand the factors that spawned the conspiracy because when they are not addressed, more of it are bound to come. Is it not time, we looked at what is breeding the dissenting voices in the polity? I ask these questions with a plain and unbiased mind, recognizing that the Anambra royalty has been good friends with APGA and its leadership in the state.

Ekenem!

Ogbuefi Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili (Ogene Igbo)