Emma Nwachukwu – An Inspired Senate Run

Emma is a senior colleague distinguished looking and deliberate in mannerism.
As I exited the cafeteria at the Green Legacy Resort of the Obasanjo Library, I happened on him seated regally at the lounge.
I sat with him. I like him. He is a senior colleague. A well established investment banker and Finance person, who had played at the highest levels in our sector. 
Working with the legendary Henry Imasekha had berthed the very first post modern Mall in the Country – Mega Plaza.
They had gone on to execute some landmark transactions that has made them mythical figures in our space
It’s no wonder when Lami and I wanted to buy the then Etisalat it was to Emma we ran to. 
We had placed a bid for Etisalat on the premise that we wanted to buy it back for Nigerians. Our plan was simple. We would galvanise 100,000 Nigerians to invest $1,000 in an SPV, list the SPV and then use the vehicle to take the firm.
The authorities took us seriously as we got to the last 5. We were published on the front pages of most serious newspapers including Thisday and we were in pole position to win the bid.
It was at this point we felt we needed firepower so we went to Emma.
He listened very carefully to our pitch and began to systematically direct it.  By the time he was thru with us,  it was very clear that even in the unlikely event that we won,  we still would face a herculean task in running it.
So by the time we received the email at midnight dt we had been dropped, we were no longer enthusiastic abt it.
This didn’t stop us. Lami has a lion heart and I am the dreamer. Once I dream, Lami will say oya.
So I said, let’s buy Bank Phb. The bank had over N60b in deposits and assets running over trillions. 
We put together an investor fund and raised over N22b in one month enough to get the CBN interested in us.
We submitted the bid and started doing the ground work. We went to Emma again and he dissected their Financials and said, ‘ guys if you have raised this kind of money go start your own. They won’t give you, all your investors are from one part of the country’
A fact as simple as that didn’t cross our minds and it was not to our surprise when the email came- thanks for your bid…..
So here was I with Emma in Abeokuta discussing Nigeria.  His politics is right of center obviously. His take on leadership is same as I and his positions on almost everything from the economy, health, social impact go hand in hand with mine.
He sees potentials in new leadership taking over. He believes that sanity in the legislative arm would provide the much needed oversight that would correct things
He is very strong in liberal democracy and very open to building practical alliances amongst tendencies for the better good of the country 
Edgar, I am going into the Senate he tells me matter of factly.  I said about time.
He says, he listened very carefully to OBJ and agreed with most of his postulations and disagreed with his position on succession. 
I listened very intently as I would when serious people are speaking.  I have made up my mind he continues and I believe this is the time.
I strongly endorse and support his candidacy because it seats very perfectly with my believe that intellectual strength should take over the legislature.
Instead of running towards the presidency as the legion of motivational speakers are doing, new leadership should concentrate on the legislative arm from local government thru state houses of assembly to the two major chambers 
With people like Emma stepping up, hope is rekindled and I remain excited.
Welldone my brother, we are behind you.

Duke of Shomolu