From number three to what? 7/6/2007


The 1999 plot

THIRTY-three years after the assassination of General Johnson Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, the first Igbo to assume the leadership of Nigeria (Abia State), the stage was set for the return of the Igbo to the centre.

It was in 1999. The previous year, after the death of General Sani Abacha, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was formed. Among those at the helm of leadership was Second Republic Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme.

In the build-up to the party’s presidential primaries, he was also a leading aspirant.

Then, things changed dramatically. Some Northern power brokers and strategists decided that a Yorubaman must succeed General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

They justified their action on the fact that since Chief M.K.O. Abiola, a Yorubaman, died in the cause of actualising his June 12, 1993 presidential election, a fellow Yorubaman should be supported to occupy Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

But, this was a plot within a plot. The real reason is that since after the 30-month civil war (July 6, 1967-January 15, 1970), there has been an apparent mindset by the Hausa of excluding the Igbo from Nigerian leadership.

The February 1999 PDP convention was fierce. General Olusegun Obasanjo was eventually given the ticket. And he won the February 27 presidential election.


Zoning of offices

It was obvious that the Igbo had been wronged. Politically, they were shortchanged, so to say. Since the South-West produced the President and the North-East the Vice President, the kingmakers decided that the Igbo from South-East must produce the number three citizen – Senate President.


2003 contest

Ekwueme also showed interest in the 2003 presidential election but it was obvious that he had lost steam simply because the incumbent Obasanjo was interested in second term. The January 4-6, 2003 PDP convention was a fait accompli for Obasanjo.

The Igbo once again lost out in the power calculation but still retained the number three position.


All-round tripping

It is interesting to note that the presidency and vice presidency stayed in Ogun (South West) and Adamawa (North East) from 1999 to 2007.

The first Speaker Salisu Buhari from Kano was booted out after two months in office over a certificate scam. Ghali Umar Na’abba, also from Kano succeeded him and was in office till 2003. Alhaji Aminu Masari from Katsina also stayed in office from 2003 to 2007.

But it is a different ball game in the upper chamber.

The Senate presidency seat rotated among the five states in the South-East within eight years – Evan Enwerem (Imo), Chuba Okadigbo (Anambra), Anyim Pius Anyim (Ebonyi), Adolphus Wabara (Abia) and Ken Nnamani (Enugu).


A new order

In the build up to the April 21, 2007 presidential election, the Igbo again rose to the occasion.

At least, four former governors – Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Achike Udenwa (Imo) and Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu) campaigned vigorously for the number one position.

Some of them even struggled to be nominated as the running mate to the PDP candidate Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

To get the Igbo votes, the two leading opposition parties picked their running mates from the zone.

Senator Ben Obi from Anambra State was the running mate of the Action Congress (AC) presidential candidate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, the national chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) who hails from Anambra State was the running mate to Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2003, Buhari also picked Okadigbo as running mate.

They could not have their way.

Now, after Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly, the Igbo are nowhere being near the first four positions in the country .This is the new calculation: North-West – President; South-South – Vice President; North-Central – Senate President and South-West – Speaker.

In the present scenario compared to the 1999-2007 zoning structure, North-West has moved from the number four to the first position.

The South-West is now occupying the fourth position.

The South-South and North Central which hitherto were not in the picture have moved to numbers two and three positions.

So, where is the South-East? From number three to what?

Even the North-East which is not among the first four has produced Baba Gana Kingibe, an indigene of Borno State as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

In the first week of the Yar’Adua presidency, no Igbo man was appointed to any top position.

Deputy Inspector General Ogbonnaya Onovo was appointed to step into the shoes of former Inspector General of Police Sunday Ehindero as the most senior police officer.

Forty-eight hours later, he was replaced with DIG Mike Okiro, an indigene of Rivers State from South-South.

Lagos lawyer and activist Chief Gani Fawehinmi took up the fight of the Igbo on Tuesday when he condemned the shoddy treatment meted out to Onovo.

He wondered why the headship of the force, once again, eluded the Igbo, "despite their sterling credentials."

"If Onovo was qualified to be a Deputy Inspector General of Police, why should he not be qualified to be an Inspector General of Police? I demand an explanation from the Yar’Adua administration."

He said: "The development was a distrust of the Igbo, as a psychological after-effect of the civil war in which the rest of the federation engaged the secessionist Igbo in the eastern part of the country for three years of bloody conflict.

He warned that the trend, unless checked, constituted a threat to the unity of the country.

Many Nigerians are quick to say that the PDP has not been fair to the Igbo. But are the Igbo fair to themselves?

In 1998, the Yoruba were united in their determination to produce General Abubakar’s successor.

In fact, it was a field day for the politically-conscious inhabitants of the South-West geo-political zone as the only two candidates – Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae are Yoruba.

But are the Igbo united in their quest for the number one position?

During the 2007 presidential race, Kalu was a lone voice.

Even the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze was divided.

There was no central command like the Afenifere of 1998/99.

It is believed that individual interest and ambition is the albatross of the Igbo quest for the presidency.

For the next four years, they are nowhere near the first four positions. And this may last for eight years.

But now, there is a ‘future’ problem. Yar’Adua has the constitutional right to contest for a second term.

If the courts do not upturn his victory, it is believed he may be in office till 2015.

The political history of Goodluck Jonathan is a public knowledge.

As deputy governor to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he was loyal to a fault. And "goodluck" follows him.

When he became the governor and he got the party ticket for re-election, he was suddenly given the vice presidential slot.

Today, he is the vice president. Given his nature, he is expected to be loyal to Yar’Adua and protect the interest of the Northern elite.

In 2015, the presidency will come to the South.

And naturally, he would vie for the post.

If he wins, since age is on his side, he may remain in office for another eight years.

After his tenure, the presidency will return to the North.

So, when is the turn of the Igbo?

When would we forget tribalism and move forward in this country?!!!

Igbo, we need a revolution!!! For independence, we shall gladly fight and die!!! Hail Biafra!!

I thought some said here that the oil is in "Igboland" With all the oil power they are now from #3 to unknown! Stay tuned we will soon have 45 states in Nigeria and most of Ibo land will join Bakassi in Cameroun! Nigeria go kill person with laughter oh! What an "Animal Farm"!

Austincrow:

From number three to what? 7/6/2007


bla bla bla,

They could not have their way.

Now, after Tuesday’s inauguration of the National Assembly, the Igbo are nowhere being near the first four positions in the country .This is the new calculation: North-West – President; South-South – Vice President; North-Central – Senate President and South-West – Speaker.

In the present scenario compared to the 1999-2007 zoning structure, North-West has moved from the number four to the first position.

The South-West is now occupying the fourth position.

The South-South and North Central which hitherto were not in the picture have moved to numbers two and three positions.
. . . bla bla bla

very tribalistic thing person

who are you now going to rob to pay your Peter,

The south west Pauls or the south-south.


Please cool down your nerves, live and let live.
As long as the leadership is in good hands there is no reason why urhobo or efik people shouldnt be happy.
Does it have to be Ibo's vs the others?

hmm ok now what do we do for you should we help you to fight just to actualize you course of a sourvereign state, who goes there is not the issue but who will do well should be the watch word not tribe

This is politics. Man is a political animal so if you cannot organise yourself politically and achieve your goals, then you can as well dig your grave and die.
That is what is happening in Palestine today. People that do not know how to negotiate alliances in this modern age will perish!

So the easterners did not play the politics very well right

Biafaralord represent the views of the majority of our brothers and sisters in the East. We love them and want them to lead Nigeria but they haven't publicily,genuniely and sincerely renouce this brakeaway thing.

I will submit respectfully that the IBo's think that there is  strenght in Disunity. United we stand divided we fall is what the whole world knew.

people like biafralord having being overseas should encourage everyone to work for the greatness of Nigeria.

I for one and quite substantial nigerians think the power should have rotated to the Ibo's this time (2007)but everybody can't be sure what is in their mind even people can work it out without needing a crysat ball. They want to lead Nigeria and have Biafra. Thier Governors didd't even make the best of being governors.

Their people were schememing, they have 5 senate president in 8 years from 5 diffrent states simply because every local govt in the East want to be President. only in the east that everyone takes a title and call it Igwe1 and nobody is ever Igwe 2. If the East has got presidency we would have 5 president in 8 years from the evidence of what happen in the senate.

The other interesting propability is that were the East to have Biafra today within 5-10 years there will be CIafra, Diafra, Eifra etc. One family one president, look at the Uba family brothers fighting over governor and trying to keep every political position in the family.

The Ibo's I dare say are more tribalistic and clannish than any other tribe in NIgeria. For example the majority of the Ekendilichukwu Transporter are from Anambra and NWewi to be precise. It is like a cabal and mafia of the East come from Nnewi,- God bless Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi 1.

Let us make Nigeria a great and viabrant country and stop worrying on something that will create chaos and  make a mockrey of the black race.

May God continue to bless Nigeria and her people.

@Bushfellow

Indeed the Easterners are directly responsible for their own marginalization. We will continue to be treated like prostitutes until we get our act together.

15 presidential candidates indeed!

What is this reckless talk about igbos having to be united for the presidency? Which tribe in Nigeria has presented one candidate? Yorubas had falae, bola ige and obasanjo in 1999. In 2007 hausas had Buhari, bafarawa, and atiku. The same person above insinuating igbos are clannish is the same person saying igbos should present one candidate. I hate participating in tribal debates here on nairaland but i must state that never in the country's history has a tribe presented one candidate. It's unintelligent to do so.

After Biafra, "Things fell apart"!  Too much seeds of discord planted among the ibos!  They have forgotten how to be one!  No longer place emphasis on education but trade, trade, trade-money, money, money!  If anyone told me that Anambra state would end up like thrash like it is now,  I would have sworn 10 years ago na lie! 5 governors in about 5 years!  Fighting themselves for bread crumbs under the dog's table!  I think that unity is lost for ever and "the center can no longer hold" since the Ibo pride is gone!

Sorry to say but @ militia this is another rubbish talk. Has there been unity in oyo state? Has there been unity in ekiti state? Has there been unity in plateu state? Even if igbos presented one candidate in the last election she'd not've emerged president. The emergence of presidents in nigeria takes more than ethnic concensus and y'all know that. To alledge igbos are the primary cause of their lot is to wish away the ethnic complexities of the nation. Nigeria's not controlled by ethnic groups. She is controlled by individualls.

@Initiator
Okay! Call it rubbish talk oh. You missed the point. We are not making a comparative study in tribal dysfunction! Look the topic well oh! Na Ibo we dey talk about! When we get to other tribes, we will identify and analyse theirs too!

there is a basic lack of unity and focus amongst the igbo political class - Kalu was a lone voice, so was Pat Utomi, no widespread Igbo support for these men.

how can you expect much from a PDP that is not too happy igbo given their 'performance' for PDP in the last election, out of 5 states PDP won only 3, two went to PPA.

This is the issue at stake here.

There are 4 most powerful positions in Nigeria's political setup :

The President
The Vice President
The Senate President &
The House Speaker

Now, Nigeria is split into 6 geo-political zones:

The North has 3 zones:  North west, North Central & North East
The South has 3 zones: South South, South East & South West

The problem now is, how do you split these 4 positions among these 6 zones ? So far, 2 of these positions are shared equally between the North and the South. Unfortunately, 2 zones are always going to be left out because there are only 4 slots.

How do we remedy this situation ?

@ GNature
Can't be done! That is why I do not like this rotational business!  Let the best person take the position by the dictates of the people.  But in Nigeria, the people have no elective power and tribalism is every thing.  Also, things only get more fragmented in Nigeria not downsized!  I say we will soon have 45 states with 10 geopolitical zones!  It is a dilemma indeed!  Any solutions?

MILITIA:

If anyone told me that Anambra state would end up like thrash like it is now, I would have sworn 10 years ago na lie! 5 governors in about 5 years!

Haba!! Na for where you see 5 governors in 5 years? Don't exaggerate o!

@debosky
goodmorning oh!  I sleep well well!

As with the Igbo matter?  Yes there are problems!  Regardless of whose fault it is, they have lost control and will continue to wander in the wilderness! A shame!

@laudate
You wan try me! 2002-2007! Mbadinuju, Ngige, Obi, Etiaba, Uba!  Na lie I talk?  Ask ya anambra people!   I say Nigeria go kill person oh! No be world record be this?

@ militia, I hope you rendered good service to oga oh

frankly the issue is being blown out of proportion - even with #3 under Obj, there were complaints of marginalization. other positions are being included now - SGF, Police IG, Chief Justice too! although the IG is essentially igbo, dem no wan hear that one. Nigeria has to make do with zoning for now, we aren't politically mature enough to rise beyond it presently.

@debosky!
Well well now! Real "MTN" commercial style!

True, you talk! Till "political" maturity comes! Like the second coming of our lord?

@ MILITIA yes we are'nt comparing tribes as you said but you cant talk about igbo unity without situating it within the larger Nigerian contex.

@Initiator
Before you intergrate into the larger Nigerian context, I think it is good to identify the real issues why the Igbos are falling apart! You cannot move further unless you take it one step at a time. There lies part of the reason why the "intergration" process keeps hitting roadblocks or "marginalization" as some of you call it.

@Debosky

there is a basic lack of unity and focus amongst the igbo political class - Kalu was a lone voice, so was Pat Utomi, no widespread Igbo support for these men

See that mentality?? drop it. That is just a slogan to divert your attention from the real issues.
In the last election Arewa consultative forum could not broker a deal between Atiku, Buhari or Yaradua on who the North will present, so those who won it were not more united than the south-east.

Besides that, even a very united South-East will not install an Igbo President on its own, democracy is a game of numbers. Even if all the Igbo sons and duaghters both home and abroad vote for an Igbo Presidency we can not win if people of other geo-political zones do not believe they can have someone from the South-East as President.

So forget the Ideology of "Igbos are not united", that is just a slogan to divert attention from the real issues.  In 1999 the Yorubas did not vote OBJ yet he won, he was not a product of United Yoruba. In the run up to last election, before OBJ single-handedly projected Yar'adua through the PDP, all the Arewa meetings did not put Yaradua in their calculations yet he is President today. You can not tell me Yaradua is a product of United North.

On a more serious note if the talk of "one Nigeria" means anything to us why can't we look at the quality of the candidate rather than his tribe and how united they are.

In all this I don't blame the IBBs, the Danjumas, and the success of their evil machinations, blackmails against the South-East I blame our immediate Governors. Those who cry marginalisation should not marginalise themselves. I wish Igbo leaders and politicians can for once be wise, our Govs should have concentrated more developing the South-East (think of what Donald Duke did for his people) and forget the Presidency and FG politics. We can do a lot for ourselves without having an Igbo as Nigeria's President. As far as am concerned that venture is a waste of time, Nigeria's equality before the constitution only exists on paper.

McKren:

@Debosky
See that mentality?? drop it. That is just a slogan to divert your attention from the real issues.
In the last election Arewa consultative forum could not broker a deal between Atiku, Buhari or Yaradua on who the North will present, so those who won it were not more united than the south-east.

Besides that, even a very united South-East will not install an Igbo President on its own, democracy is a game of numbers. Even if all the Igbo sons and duaghters both home and abroad vote for an Igbo Presidency we can not win if people of other geo-political zones do not believe they can have someone from the South-East as President.

So forget the Ideology of "Igbos are not united", that is just a slogan to divert attention from the real issues.  In 1999 the Yorubas did not vote OBJ yet he won, he was not a product of United Yoruba. In the run up to last election, before OBJ single-handedly projected Yar'adua through the PDP, all the Arewa meetings did not put Yaradua in their calculations yet he is President today. You can not tell me Yaradua is a product of United North.

On a more serious note if the talk of "one Nigeria" means anything to us why can't we look at the quality of the candidate rather than his tribe and how united they are.

In all this I don't blame the IBBs, the Danjumas, and the success of their evil machinations, blackmails against the South-East I blame our immediate Governors. Those who cry marginalisation should not marginalise themselves. I wish Igbo leaders and politicians can for once be wise, our Govs should have concentrated more developing the South-East (think of what Donald Duke did for his people) and forget the Presidency and FG politics. We can do a lot for ourselves without having an Igbo as Nigeria's President. As far as am concerned that venture is a waste of time, Nigeria's equality before the constitution only exists on paper.

True Talk!! Preach it man, pre-e-each it!!

well you have a point, about the Obj thing, but take what happened in 2003 for example, the AD (foolishly) refused to have another candidate simply because 'one of their own' was already contesting.

Even though the North failed to achieve consensus between Atiku, Yar'Adua and Buhari, it was obvious that most of the governors in that zone were overwhelmingly in Yar'Adua's court.

the second point you made is also important, the Igbo need to seek for true partners outside their zone and come up with a better slogan than 'its our turn' when seeking the presidency.

the second point you made is also important, the Igbo need to seek for true partners outside their zone and come up with a better slogan than 'its our turn' when seeking the presidency.

Well you will not convince people who think what makes them happy is to blame you for all the country's problems to be your political ally.

My strongest wish and point here is, we have a greater task as a people, which is to rebuild our zone and look after one another like civilized society does. .

When Nigeria is ready to play fair politics we will know

[/quote]

@ Mckren

In all this I don't blame the IBBs, the Danjumas, and the success of their evil machinations, blackmails against the South-East I blame our immediate Governors. Those who cry marginalisation should not marginalise themselves. I wish Igbo leaders and politicians can for once be wise, our Govs should have concentrated more developing the South-East (think of what Donald Duke did for his people) and forget the Presidency and FG politics. We can do a lot for ourselves without having an Igbo as Nigeria's President. As far as am concerned that venture is a waste of time, Nigeria's equality before the constitution only exists on paper. [quote]

Well said Bro. Orji Kalu and Governor Nnamani should have used their positions to provide basic neccessities such as good roads, health care system, water supply and an atmosphere for economic growth. Unfortunately, they decided to line their pockets with public funds and end up playing a cat and mouse game with the EFCC!

O boy na big insult they take insult igbos.They have no regard for us
They feel we cant fight back[and so far,nice thinking]
Why should Yoruba who occupied number one be given number four
Northeast that occupied number two are number three in the execuive[kingigbe]
Speaker of reps was to be an ibo position but we were intimidated and thrashed out
How can we recover from this shame as we have been left completely underrated
O my fellow ibos,home we go to our minority land[and to think we founded this country]
Nigeria's major tribes are now Hausa,Yoruba and Niger-Delta

Keep zoning your destiny away, we all know who the performers are, David Mark isn't going to perform. Heck even if you wanted to zone the Senate Presidency to North Central or what I'll call Middle Belt (Honestly, Benue State shares the same border with Enugu), you're going to zone it to Mark?. . .We're not even searching for the best from every zone, we're zoning like retards and retarding our progress accordingly.

@McKren

Do not mind these dimwits, yeah Ohaneze isn't united, Afenifere and ACF surely are in their causes!

Last I checked, Afenifere and most Yoruba's choice for presidency was Olu Falae, did he emerge president?. . .No!

doncartel:


Nigeria's major tribes are now Hausa,Yoruba and Niger-Delta

LOL LOL. . .