The Igbo are loyal, giving and unwavering. They have a predilection for going to the grave with a corpse if need be. They are a dependable ally. If you have the Igbo as a consociate, you have an unrelenting sentinel.  

But the Igbo’s devotion to a cause, friend or comrade is their curse. They just do not know when to abandon the corpse and seek the preservation of self. They do not seem to realise when the endgame is already gamed. They do not understand that there is still more to be lived for, many expeditions to undertake, many battles to be fought and many to be won beyond the present realities.  

They are vacant of aptitude for political self-preservation. They would rather sink with the ship than seek safety. They collect their eggs in one basket and when the slithering agent comes it swallows them all.  

They have conquered commerce, industry, science and technology, but are yet to apply the same skills which account for their success in business in politics. These competencies are diplomacy, tact, temperance, a bit of cunning, expansiveness, and flexibility.  

We go all in and throw all in, but get nothing out.  

The Igbo’s flair for persisting in unrewarding political pursuits and relationships out of nothing but fidelity is the reason they stuck with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for years despite the abuse and unrequited loyalty. 

As I asked in a previous column, ‘’What did the PDP do to earn the loyalty of the Igbo?’’ What did the PDP do for the Igbo in 16 years when the party was in power? The Igbo trudged with the PDP through thorns and thistles, yet have nothing to show for their years of thralldom. I had challenged anyone to list the infrastructural achievements of the PDP federal government in the south-east in 16 years, but no one has taken up the gauntlet.  

The second Niger Bridge, for instance, was only in the works on paper – year after year. But today, the bridge is nearing completion under an APC government that the Igbo appear not to fancy. Onitsha-Enugu expressway is also nearing completion as well as other projects by the federal government in the south-east. 

The Igbo kept tailing the PDP through its floundering and wobbles. Even within the party, the south-east was henpecked. Yet, the Igbo sustained the sadomasochism. 

In 2015, the south-east lost its default position. It consigned itself to the backwaters of opposition, where it does not fare well – historically. It chose to sink with the PDP. And sink it did. In the 2019 elections, the south-east rewarded the PDP with support yet again. But the zone is now swinging to the Labour Party because Peter Obi is the party’s presidential candidate.  

I understand my people’s yearnings. I yearn for the same thing. I know the past seven years have been traumatic for the Igbo. It has been enervating. The zone’s political declension is a psychological burden every Igbo bears.  

But are we not repeating the same mistakes of 2015? Are we not letting our emotions colour our reality? Are we not being naïve and walking starry-eyed into political oblivion? Are we not, as always, storing up our eggs in one basket? Are we not attempting a political hara-kiri? 

Peter Obi cannot win the presidential election as things stand now. It is obvious. I dwelt much on the reasons in previous columns. The fact remains if work had been put in by Igbo political leaders in the past six years — forging alliances and mobilising consciences — the right atmosphere would have been created for the zoning of the presidency to the south-east by the foremost political parties in 2023. The mood today says otherwise. The Igbo are not prepared for the presidency — even though deserving of it.  

The Labour Party is not a viable vehicle to ride to victory. It is a rustled-up contraption without deep roots across the country.  

The south-east regaining its place means it must look beyond a solitary party – that is the Labour Party (LP). It must put itself in the thick of things – at the centre — and play realpolitik. To sit at the table, it must wrest itself from the enchantment of the Labour Party and its candidate. 

The south-east should by now have learnt from the perils of political naivety. I suggest, they should be fair and equitable in their support. They should cast their net wide and consider some possible outcomes. The APC and its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu are options they must explore. Going all head in in politics is injudicious.  

What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander. Scorched-earth politics will only leave the land barren.

By Fredrick Nwabufo; Nwabufo aka Mr OneNigeria is a writer and journalist.  

https://www.thecable.ng/south-east-should-be-careful-not-to-repeat-mistake-of-2015/amp

Olodo, the SE didn't make any mistake when they unanimously rejected Buhari. If anything, they have been proved right!

At the moment, majority of Nigerians are the ones trying not to make the mistake they made in 2015 by allowing sentiments to becloud their reasonings. That is why you see many Yorubas being against BAT and many muslims fighting against Atiku.

It's no longer business as usual, these fools trying to justify Tinubu's pay should stop all these nonsense ethnic sentiments.

Meanwhile, check the article below to understand why Tinubu's defeat will start from Lagos:

https://www.nairaland.com/modifypost?post=115334580&redirect=%2F7261380%2Frevealed-two-groups-ensure-tinubu%23115334580

Before u tell me to vote Tinubu.
Can u tell me one good thing buhari that tinubu brought for us has done for Nigeria in the past 7 years?
Just tell me one and I will tell you 99 good things he has done for Niger republic.
That political harlot ( atiku), is not an option neither.

Nwabufo our people go listen? When I cared about the political relevance of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria is long gone.

There's no how you want to explain it for our people to understand. We are one way traffic.

After 2023 election we will start all over again....who so us?

Ha

Even with the benefit of hindsight, this Nwabufo guy writes without thinking. Igbos made a mistake in 2015? How? We saw that Buhari and APC would be a disastrous failure and stayed away from them. History has since proved us right. Politics is not all about jumping on the winning train all the time, whats the point of jumping on a train that is heading no where? So you can claim to be part of the train? To what end?

Better to stay in the opposition than to be part of monumental failure in the name of being in the corridors of power

Okoroawusa:
Nwabufo our people go listen? When I cared about the political relevance of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria is long gone.

There's no how you want to explain it for our people to understand. We are one way traffic.

After 2023 election we will start all over again....who so us?

May be you can explain to us how those who have been the most politically relevant in Nigeria are today the centre of backwardness, poverty, banditry and terrorism? What good did that political relevancy do them?

Words of wisdom. But instead of listening, he will be abused. Time will tell again.

Oga vote your candidate and allow sane Nigerians vote their candidates.

Peter obi is better than all the other candidates who doesn't have a certificate.

Nigeria must move forward, no more sick people.

Vote4ObiDatti:
Olodo, the SE didn't make any mistake when they unanimously rejected Buhari. If anything, they have been proved right!

At the moment, majority of Nigerians are the ones trying not to make the mistake they made in 2015 by allowing sentiments to becloud their reasonings. That is why you see many Yorubas being against BAT and many muslims fighting against Atiku.

It's no longer business as usual, these fools trying to justify Tinubu's pay should stop all these nonsense ethnic sentiments.

Meanwhile, check the article below to understand why Tinubu's defeat will start from Lagos:

https://www.nairaland.com/modifypost?post=115334580&redirect=%2F7261380%2Frevealed-two-groups-ensure-tinubu%23115334580

Don't mind the fool

This guy that was singing for the APC in 8yrs.

Peter Obi for president


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoJ7Kexj_c8

I don't see how not voting Buhari in 2015 should be seen as a mistake.

The greatest mistake the country ever made was to vote and produce the likes of Buhari as president.

Some people talk like they have no brains. So, you want to make another mistake by voting corrupt candidates and bury Nigeria completely?

No time in the history of the world that doing the right thing is regarded as a mistake. It cannot be and will never be.

APC supporters and primitive politics are 5 and 6 because they are thinking on how to punish and exclude those that will not vote for Tinubu buy Labour Party supporters are praying for Peter Obi not to disappoint them when he becomes the President and should make all Nigerians happy no matter your religion or where you comes from. That is the difference between light and darkness.

Please, vote Obi-Dati come 2023.

After reading the article... one can easily conclude that most people that support the APC for presidency don't love this country or its wellbeing, they are just after what they can greedily loot while it collapses... it's a situation where the lunatics have taken over the asylum..

"I would gladly lose doing the right thing, than win doing the wrong thing" - Peter Obi...

"God, we only have one country, rescue Nigeria" - Peter Obi...

This article energized me to clamour for Obi more... God forbid he looses, we all sink together with a clear conscience we did the right thing.

Okoroawusa:
Nwabufo our people go listen? When I cared about the political relevance of the Igbo tribe in Nigeria is long gone.

There's no how you want to explain it for our people to understand. We are one way traffic.

After 2023 election we will start all over again....who so us?

So they should support a sick and dying man and a party that has run down the country

Every Igbo should be proud of not being part of those that foisted this disaster. Everybody is suffering the effects of it. Northerners are worst hit, they no longer produce the normal quantity of farm produce, hunger everywhere. So what is the difference between the common man who voted for buhari and those who voted against him? Or is dollar 200naira in the north?

There was no mistake in 2015.

I voted against Buhari in 2015, and I don't regret a shit about it

gidgiddy:
Ha

Even with the benefit of hindsight, this Nwabufo guy writes without thinking. Igbos made a mistake in 2015? How? We saw that Buhari and APC would be a disastrous failure and stayed away from them. History has since proved us right. Politics is not all about jumping on the winning train all the time, whats the point of jumping on a train that is heading no where? So you can claim to be part of the train? To what end?

Better to stay in the opposition than to be part of monumental failure in the name of being in the corridors of power

remain in opposition in Jesus name

abobote:
There was no mistake in 2015.

I voted against Buhari in 2015, and I don't regret a shit about it

and Buhari has done more for south east than pdp for 16yrs