South-east APC Chieftains jockeying for key positions By Polycarp Onwubiko

Starry-eyed observers of the chequered political history of Nigeria would agreed that the 2015 presidential
election has been replete with volatility subtle calculations, manipulations, intimidations, stage-managing, play-acting, hate documentaries in the printing and electronic media, brazen electoral heist and post election lobbying for key positions in the in-coming federal government. This writer has been hesitant to join those who claim that “the Almighty God is a Nigeria”. But now I am convinced that God is very aware and interested in the weal and welfare of Nigerians in the view of the way the 2015 presidential election had come and gone. The rare courage, vision, mission, focus and steadfastness of General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) whom the majority of Nigerians gave a pan-Nigerian mandate, as it were; and the statesmanship, wisdom rooted in divine inspiration whereby President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated him even when the electoral umpire was yet to put a final touch to announce the winner, spoke volumes of the passion God has for Nigerians.

Perceptive Nigerians are passionate in proffering advice to the in-coming president on how to organize the federal government so that the change of government would be meaningful and result oriented ostensibly to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of the people. The change of government has all along become necessary and expedient but as the age-long aphorism goes, “God’s time is the best”. The PDP led federal government has run short of ideas and groping in the dark on how to address the nerve-racking challenges of corruption in the public sector governance and administration in the apparently directionless country. To say that the hydra-headed monster of corruption and financial sleaze is at the root of the rot and crass impunity of the national and sub-national governments is merely stating the obvious. Equally true is the daunting challenges facing General Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet which is of diverse sorts and gargantuan, is a point blank perception which would make him to gird his loins and bestir himself.

The newly elected president of the federal republic of Nigeria has to be wary of the professional lobbyists who have resorted to all manner of play-acting and subtle manipulations to press for key positions in government. The current unseemly and unsightly scrambling and jostling for office and juicy positions partly explain the dynamics in the art of lobbying and jockeying for key appointments which could put the president in quandary. The tendency is that he might without realistic reflections based on verifiable facts take precipitate decisions that would throw equity, fair play, balancing and justice to the dogs.

It would have been unarguable that the post of senate president would have logically gone to the South-east since the senator representing Anambra central senatorial district; Senator Chris Ngige OON had re-contested to be a ranking senator in the hallowed chambers of the national assembly.  In fact the lot would have fallen on Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON but the people of Anambra central senatorial district were bombarded with the PDP legendary impunity in mobilizing election war machinery which has been the magic wand of truncating peoples will in Anambra state since 1999. In addition to the brazen electoral brigandage with alleged active collaboration of INEC top officials, ad hoc staff and itching-palmed security operatives, it was difficult to know whether the great sermon of Senator Chris Ngige to the people on the wisdom to embrace APC so as not to put their proverbial eggs in one basket was assimilated or glossed over on befuddled ethno-religious perspective.

The fact remains that among the South-east APC chieftains, Senate Chris Ngige and Governor Rochas Okorocha fought a titanic battle at great personal and financial cost especially the distinguished senator. If realistic reflection and recognition is anything to go by, then the subtle manipulations and brazen insinuation that GMB has given a nod on Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu to be the next Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), the brazen courtesy calls and sponsored write-ups in the print media should not have arisen.  Dr Ogbonnaya Onu did not contest any elective position but was merely a party chieftain in the ANPP which merged with other parties to berth APC. The top position of SFG should unarguably be given to Senator Chris Ngige in view of his bold and intrepid campaign challenges he confronted. He opened the eyes of many people in Anambra people to perceive Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in lurid light. He demonstrated his versatility by citing historical accounts and quoted copiously from the Holy Bible to convince Christians that God is a complex being and could use any body or craft novel situations and circumstances to answer prayers and grant petitions more so the apparently intractable socio-economic and political challenges tethering Nigeria on a brink of collapse due to massive corruption, impunity in the public sector and massive insecurity in all the nooks and crannies in the  country.

It is improper to gloss over the fact that the out-going SFG hails from Ebonyi state and it would be untidy to appoint another Ebonyi indigene to the same post. Caution and wisdom should be the guiding principles among the south-east APC political chieftains and not despicable antics and beclouding of stark realities on public issues.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

with

Polycarp Onwubiko

[email protected]

Mr. Onwubiko, an author and public affairs analyst wrote in from Awka, Anambra state.