Politics
Wike: The Making Of An Iconoclast
As the 2023 general elections beckon, the media have been awash daily with activities of many of the contenders and pretenders for elective offices in the nation’s political landscape.
This has led to some rifts and clashes of interest among personalities and their loyalists within and between political parties, a development that is already a burning topic of discussions in the public domain among society watchers and public affairs commentators.
Of topmost importance to my minds is the one rocking the main opposition party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), involving the agitation for the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, by the G5 Governors or the Integrity Group led by His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike, (CON, GSSRS, Life Bencher) the Executive Governor of Rivers State, who, with all humility, I prefer to describe as the Nigerian iconoclast of this generation .
His agitation is clearly for the rights of Southern Nigeria in this generation and those yet unborn across party lines. He and his co -travellers are insisting that power at the centre should shift to the South in the coming dispensation.
To begin with, they insist that their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), must show example: the North cannot have the Presidential Candidate and the National Chairmanship slots at the same time. Governor Wike’s agitation that one of these positions be conceded to the South of Nigeria clearly supports my description of him.
“Every age, every generation produces an iconoclast, eclectic, eccentric, quirky and unusual figure who ironically represents the measure, values, the essence of that age or generation and becomes the icon of that age or generation. They are not conventional persons, they are peculiar, odd, aberrant, curious, capricious, quaint, queer and even erratic. Somehow, in spite of their unusualness, they remain unusually loveable. They cannot be ignored. They are usually unobtrusive, yet their presence is forceful”. This is the postulation of Sen. Victor Udoma- Egba(SAN) in his book on Uche Chukwumerije titled “A Book is Closed” a tribute.
For many political disciples of Governor Wike like me, he perfectly fits into the above description of an iconoclast, a political father who is blunt and pungent when it comes to speaking the truth, no ornamentation, no colouration, no gimmicks and no window dressing. He is not dogmatic but cannot be influenced by anybody, especially when he is fighting for integrity, fair play and justice for humanity.
Though some very few mis-informed see Wike’s agitation as personal, it is right time they had a rethink as the political cloud keeps getting clearer towards the February, 2023, presidential election.
It is heartwarming though that some elders of the PDP like Chief Olabode George and other party faithful from the South have concurred with Governor Wike and the G5 Integrity Group’s agitation, advising that their principled stance, if not properly and appropriately addressed by the national caucus of the party, may lead to a disastrous outing in next year’s general elections.
They agree that the Governors are indeed speaking their mind and that of the people of Southern Nigeria who are not comfortable with the prospect of the presidency being retained by the North after the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari from the North. Their position hinges on the fact, that while electioneering can be done on the pages of newspapers, electronic and social media, elections proper are not won in the same way but with unity of the political party members, especially when the G5 Integrity Group members are some of the major pillars of the party.
Governor Nyesom Wike, going by his commendable performance in office over the years is, by all standards, a gallant, performing, unassuming and yet very promising politician and is leading his G5 Integrity Group in refusing to accept a chicken change in place of political rights of the entire Southern Nigeria.
His journey is to revoke political marginalisation as well as mediocrity, a journey to say ‘No’ to cheap misrepresentation and enslavement of the good people of Southern Nigeria, irrespective of party differences and ideologies. An important crusade like this cannot be championed by a mere politician but an iconoclast.
It is on record that he is the only Governor that has been able to unify leaders, political parties and peoples in the nation today, evidenced by being the only politician ever to achieve the feat of wooing the opposition to commissioning and flag -offs of quality projects delivered by his administration.
From the South-East, three State governors and others across party affiliation have been special guests to Governor Wike for projects’ commissioning and flag -offs. As well, Governors and notable personalities have been drawn from the South-West, the North. And even the President of the nation himself from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not exempted.
To my mind, the Governor is the first to practice politics without bitterness in our nation. He is one of those who firmly believes that “To ignore the fact does not change the fact” according to Andy Rooney.
Governor Wike’s G5 Integrity Group can be likened to a political train that must be approached with extreme caution or be faced with political displacement or irrelevance for ever. “Agreement is Agreement” is their cardinal focus which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is ignoring but capable of working against its fortune at the center in 2023.
One may wonder why political commentators are daily listening to Governor Wike’s stand on this matter and seeing his views as that of a true leader we need. Nothing can change the fact that the opposition party (PDP) reached an agreement among themselves before the last party primaries that saw the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a Northerner, as the Presidential candidate of the party, that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, also a Northerner as National Chairman, would resign if a Northern politician emerges the Presidential flag bearer of the party.
The G5 Integrity Group members, ably led by Governor Wike of Rivers State, are Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State. Other respectable party elders, former governors and founding members, as well as active members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are united over this message.
In one accord, as politicians of like minds, they had made it clear that they are against any politician plotting to scuttle power shift to the South. They are equally adamant that they are solidly behind Governor Wike’s call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the PDP, and that that condition must be met before they can work for the party come February, 2023 presidential election.
While some myopic group of politicians are busy trying to blackmail the ICON (Wike) with lies of plotting to work against the party that he put in unquantifiable efforts to keep attractive and workable, his pedigree and brinkmanship is attaining both mercurial and phenomenal proportion. He has distinguished himself as a politician who understands the intricate polemics of Nigerian political landscape.
Governor Wike as the leader of the Integrity Group is a bridge builder, appreciated by both the old and young as well as politicians and non-politicians, wishing he was the Presidential candidate of the major opposition. By his unflinching demand for fairness and justice within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Governor has, unknown to himself, epitomised the political messiah of Southern Nigeria and an iconoclast of our generation.
His commendable association with governors of like minds and other politicians, even those who are presidential candidates across party affiliations, makes him stand conspicuously as the leader with a mission for the downtrodden people of Southern Nigeria, as well as equity, fairness and justice for our nation.
For long, Southern Nigeria prayed for a leader and they have now been answered. As indications show today, till tomorrow, almost all news media and social platforms in Nigeria would want to highlight and stream the actions and activities of Governor Wike of Rivers State.
Traditional news platforms, newspaper stands and major social media platforms without headlines, highlights of stories and pictures of the Governor are seen as not serious information dissemination channels. No looking elsewhere for the people’s leader. In solidarity, we all should acknowledge this God-given iconoclast of this Nigerian generation for the political right of the people, volunteering to fight for the Southern down-trodden citizens in a country they are regarded as the famished golden hen that lays the golden egg.
Without fear of contradiction, Governor Wike’s agitation for fair play, justice and equality in Nigeria is an eye-opener for detractors as well as those who are short-sighted in what will befall us in the nearest future. The Nigerian iconoclast is heading somewhere. Time will tell.
By: Odinaka Osundu
Mr. Osundu, commentator on public affairs, resides in Port Harcourt.
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.