The All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) leadership as represented by the Governors who have hijacked the party should have seen the embarrassment coming if they had been sensitive enough to care for the feeling of the presidential aspirants.
But because they wanted to enforce a "consensus candidate" without the rigours of the primaries, they opened themselves to the onslaught of the aggrieved presidential aspirants led by Chief John Nnia Nwodo who last night stole the show with his powerful speech not to lend himself to the charade at Eagles Square.
Called to make his speech to the delegates, Nwodo knew he was being surreptitiously used to lend credence to what was, for all practical purposes, a farce. But he would not agree.
Nwodo said he could not believe a party with so much promise would reduce itself to such level of political chicanery. He said he weeps for Nigeria that such level of open manipulation of the electoral process could be unleashed on Nigerians at this time and age.
It was pin drop silence as Nwodo waxed poetic before announcing his withdrawal which he attributed to imposition of presidential candidate and running mate on the party, which he said lacked credibility, and justice.
In his speech delivered extempore and with clarity of thought, Nwodo said: "A few months ago I joined ANPP when it pleased members of the party to donate their party to achieve effective democratisation of Nigeria. By our entry we gave the party a national character.
My heart bleeds that our great party is about to be destroyed.
"The process that had attended the choosing of this presidential candidate has detracted from the ideals of our great party. My heart bleeds that mediocrity has been enthroned in our land. My heart bleeds that a great party is about to be destroyed. The process that has characterized this convention is totally without transparency and as I speak to you now all of you wearing accreditation cards do not have your name on it. It could be dashed to any one. As I speak to you, none of you has seen a dummy of the ballot paper that you are about to vote with."
As Nwodo spoke, one could see embarrassment on the faces of the Governors and other leaders who were made to look ridiculous as Nigerians watched live on Nigerian Television Authority what had become a tragic-comedy.
But Nwodo, a two time Minister who clocked 50 last month, was not done yet: "As I speak to you now, all Presidential aspirants have been denied the opportunity of effective participation in arriving at this so-called consensus. In all humility, my brothers and sisters, I do not lend my name to this charade. I cannot stand on this ballot to disgrace the democratic process.
"I weep for Nigeria, I weep for the All Nigeria Peoples Party. I tell you my supporters, do not be disappointed. I believe that our party has justice, I believe it will return to the table of justice, and when we do return, it will be freedom."
Almost in quick ordered manner, five other Presidential aspirants were to withdraw from the presidential primaries also alleging imposition of presidential candidate and running mate on the party, describing it as a charade. Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Dr. Chuba Okadigbo who had been anointed by the party leadership and were sitting together at the state box watched with consternation.
The other aspirants who also announced their sudden withdrawal were Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Chief Pere Ajuwa and Harry Akande.
The withdrawal of the aspirants was received with shock by the members and supporters, as it was totally unexpected.
The party apparently was not prepared for the shocker and nobody could do any damage control. Okadigbo could not muster his oratorical power to save the day. He had nothing to say. Buhari chose the military option of saying the election would go ahead with or without the aspirants who withdrew. Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was uncouth in his dismissal of the aspirants who he described as a "disgrace".
Because the Governors could neither plan ahead nor see the looming danger in trying to play out their presidential aspirants to achieve a predetermined end, they brought themselves and their party to great ridicule. And with the outcome, ANPP is now so badly damaged that it will take a great deal of effort to reconcile those who feel edged out and be able to present a credible challenge to the PDP in the next election.
Indeed, Nwodo and the other aspirants who withdrew have exposed the soft underbelly of the ANPP to the Nigerian public who would now see a party that has no discipline, a party that now seems to be for a particular section of the country, a party that has scant regard for democratic norms when it comes to picking flag bearers.
Anybody who has followed the history of the ANPP would know what happened yesterday was no surprise, the party has always picked its candidate by "consensus".
The party had hardly survived that when after the election, it was hijacked by the Governors who anointed Yusuf Alli as the National Chairman before they took it over with Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa as Caretaker Chairman. It was after this that the idea of a Northern candidate began to crystallise. First, Bafarawa toyed with the idea of taking the ticket himself but when he could not get the support of his colleagues, Buhari became the new bride. It was however not an easy decision given that some people within the party still felt that in the spirit of power shift, a southern candidate would be better.
There were even contemplation in the last three days to draft Dr. Alex Ekwueme who was beaten by Obasanjo into the race.
The initial thinking among most governors was for a southern candidate and in considering Ekwueme, some party leaders were said to have argued that he could rally Igbo support which when added with votes from the north would give the party the presidency.
But there were counter arguments against Ekwueme. One of the party leaders was said to have argued that having been beaten twice by Obasanjo in an intra-party contest, he would be easily defeated in an election proper. It was also argued that if Ekwueme could not rally Igbo support in the PDP where all the Igbo governors are in the same party with him, "how could he do that when he is running on a different platform?"
But while the idea of Ekwueme was going on, it was not supported by the hawks who believe only a Northern candidate could beat Obasanjo. Leading this group was the ANPP Senate leader, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, said to be insisting on the party presenting a northern candidate.
Sheriff is said to be hinging his argument on the relative strength of the party in the north where he said support could be rallied against Obasanjo while a running mate could be picked from the South-east. It was this view that eventually prevailed hence the Buhari-okadigbo ticket.
But aspirants from the south had countered that the principle of power shift does not favour a northern candidate now, arguing that southerners may not be ready to support such a candidate, a situation that would give Obasanjo an edge.
Nwodo had particularly complained that already, public perception of the ANPP in the south was bad and is getting worse with what he termed 'image mismanagement' with some party posters in his state (Enugu) reading "vote ANPP, the only Islamic party in Nigeria".
Nwodo had argued further that if ANPP actually desired to win the presidency it had to grow beyond the North and the only way to do that was to ensure that a candidate emerged from the other region. He also impressed it upon them that the argument of power shift was still strong in the south and ANPP should be sensitive to it.
Akande had made similar complains. As former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, he argued that there was a new tendency that was destroying the party. He had support in several members of Board of Trustees from the South. For instance, former Minister, Chief Bola Afonja, Board of Trustee member said nobody had ever invited him to any meeting. "I don't know what is going on, the Governors just sit down in one place and take decisions. That is the way they run our party."
It was with that mood that the Convention of last night took place. Before delegates converged at Eagles Square news had filtered in Abuja that Buhari had been picked as candidate with Okadigbo as running mate. Lt. General Jeremiah Useni (trd.) was also believed to be the anointed candidate for the seat of party chairman. But by the time Nwodo put spanners in the works yesterday night, it was glaring ANPP would need to do a lot of damage control if it expects Nigerians to take it as a serious party
Today I am not only proud to be an Igbo man but also a Nigerian. I am proud because an individual has not maintained his silence in the face of manipulation of the electoral process in Nigeria. He not only showcased to all Nigerians live on NTA how a party could descend so low as to retreat to ethnocentric policies. Today I doff my hats for John Nwodo for not shying away by telling Nigerians the bare truth on how the political process could be manipulated. I am glad that we still have a few good men unlike chuba okadigbo who has sold himself and further diminished his credibility. A party which seeks national acceptance forces other aspirants to step down for a man who is not acceptable in other parts of the country. A man who has no vision or plan for the country other than delving into religous issues. They had the opportunity to take the presidency by fielding a credible southerner against obasanjo but they chose not to. They have showed the south that they have no hope in ANPP
Posts: 6 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003
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A source in his camp told Vanguard that Buhari made overtures to Nwodo to be his running mate but he (Nwodo) declined because he felt that a ticket with the former Head of State would be a hard sell. Also opposed to the ticket, Vanguard learnt, were Alhaji Yusuf Ali, Gen. Jeremiah Useni and Admiral Augustus Aikhomu. The various interest groups now believe the ANPP will be short-changing itself by adopting Buhari as its candidate. They say the PDP would have an easy ride in the elections.The adoption of Okadigbo as Buhari’s running mate came from a smart political move he (Okadigbo) pulled, following the support Buhari got from the North. Vanguard learnt that as soon as it became obvious where the trend was flowing, Okadigbo reached out to the Buhari camp and the party leadership that if they endorsed Buhari he would be prepared to go along with them as it was clear the Igbo were not yet prepared for the Presidency. His move effectively narrowed the option to himself regarding who should pair with Buhari. However, Okadigbo’s action did not go down well with his fellow Igbo aspirants, who felt that without putting up a fight Okadigbo was endorsing a Northern candidate
While some individuals prefer to maintain their dignity others like Okadigbo prefer to sell himself.
Posts: 6 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003
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A yoruba military strongman is about to face an Hausa Fulani military strongman. Okadigbo is a side show. It seems he is happy to join any political party offering him an avenue to remain corrupt. Ekwueme should quietly retire now and the principled stand of Okorocha and Nwodo ensures that happens. Nwodo and co should look for a party distinctly Igbo. Any political arrangement that does not include eventual Igbo independence should not have a presence in Igboland.
Posts: 621 | Registered: Mar 2001
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That is precisely the issue that Nd'Igbo are grappling with. Notwithstanding this report, the fall of Ekwueme in PDP and the absence of Igbo persons of substance in ANPP, your proposal is the only remaining option left to those Igbo who are interested in partisan politics. General Ojukwu has for long been warning that it was better for Nd'Igbo to constitute a majority in a minority party, than for us to be a minority in a majority party.
That wise counsel was ignored by Ekwueme and his cult of pseudo-intellectuals and Abuja jobbers who were convinced that the only way forward was for Igbo nationhood and identity to be squeezed into Hausa-Fulani/Yoruba institutions and organizations. Thus, while Chekwas Okorie and Tim Menakaya of APGA were going cap-in-hand begging Igbo Diaspora for money with which to run APGA, the Igbo pseudo-elite was plotting to undermine Nd'Igbo by squeezing them into the new Yoruba party, PDP. With IBB's grip on the PDP gone or loosened, AD securely under Yoruba control, the ANPP sliding toward Sharia, Obasanjo and Atiku carefully destroyed Igbo presence in the PDP, and Obasanjo's dispute with Na'Abba has ensured that Na'Abba has one foot out the PDP door, effectively making the PDP a Yoruba party.
The last time I spoke with Emma Okocha, he was a member of ANPP and he was rooting for John Nwodo for president. Today, Okocha is APGA's candidate for Governor of Delta State. But, as you can guess there are still some Igbo efulefu who refuse to read the handwriting on the wall, and they are waiting for the next round of calamity to befall them. The funny thing is that some of the efulefu have the delusion that their fatal attraction for calamity is an Igbo interest cum Igbo agenda and that Biafrans have a duty to use themselves as Saddam-Hussein-type human shield to save them when the time comes for their doom.
Not a few of the Diaspora pseudo-elite has seen fit to blame Biafra groups for not mounting a campaign of threat against Obasanjo. Sadly, they are the same persons that entreated Obasanjo to obliterate the Biafra Movement and kill its members.
___________________ No Biafran will be permitted to play Mother Theresa to the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani, but play Osama Bin Laden to the Igbo or Biafrans! Posts: 1182 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Happy new year Damian! Charity begins at home. If Igbos have anti-Igbo elements as rulers in Igboland what hope is there for an Igbo to rule the failed state of nigeria? None. Nwodo and co should start at home. People who made excuses that the pro-Igbo Ojukwu was not acceptable to Nigeria should now tell me why Ekwueme and co failed so miserably.
Posts: 621 | Registered: Mar 2001
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It has been quite interesting watching our "moderate Igbo" brothers deal with this reality check. Chiboy says that the Miss World massacre and the Ekwueme debacle has pushed them into a new half-way house closer to Biafra. They should just make sure they don't come to Biafra in body bags.
___________________ No Biafran will be permitted to play Mother Theresa to the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani, but play Osama Bin Laden to the Igbo or Biafrans! Posts: 1182 | Registered: Mar 2001
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You have written well. There were people, including the self-hater, Okenwa Nwosu, and the PNF who told us their activities for Ekwueme's campaign was a pursuit of "Igbo Interest." My question now is: IS OJUKWU NOT AN IGBO MAN? Ojukwu has already been nominated as the candidate for a registered political party. An e-mail was forwarded to me from someone named Obi Nwakanma.
When that guy, Nwakanma, writes about Igbo interest, what he fails to understand is that when people like Okenwa Nwosu and Ndubisi Obiora say "Igbo," what they really mean is "Anambra and Enugu." They hate Ojukwu because Ojukwu is the only "Anambra man" who commands respect in "Imo."
What are PNF, Okenwa Nwosu, and the Anambra political hacks waiting for to endorse the only Igbo man that has been nominated to run for president? I will tell you later.
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Welcome to BNW. Has anyone told you to "fasten your seatbelt" yet? This forum is not for the weak at heart, and you seem to be the 350th reason why.
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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Quote: .................................................. General Ojukwu has for long been warning that it was better for Nd'Igbo to constitute a majority in a minority party, than for us to be a minority in a majority party. ..................................................
You will think that those efulefus would have learned their lessons by now. Go figure.
APGA is there for them, they should all repent go to APGA and ask for forgiveness, maybe they would be admitted into the only party with Biafra interest in mind.
___________________ BIAFRA MUST RISE AGAIN. LONG LIVE BIAFRA!! Posts: 1080 | From: California, USA. | Registered: Oct 2002
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Why is a fool like you going from thread to thread citing the same quotations? Moron!
Posts: 150 | From: Abuja, Nigeria | Registered: Dec 2002
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Are you sure that Nwodo maintained his dignity? How do you know that he is not just unhappy because he was not asked to become the VP to Buhari?
Posts: 67 | From: Philadelphia, PA | Registered: Jul 2001
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Are you sure that Nwodo maintained his dignity? How do you know that he is not just unhappy because he was not asked to become the VP to Buhari?
I am very sure because the information I got from insiders at the ANPP convention and vanguard said he was offered the position but he refused, Okadigbo on realizing that nwodo refused the position decided to accept it. The candidates were shocked that Chuba accepted the offer and they expressed their dissappointment with him. When the Igbo convention took place in enugu two years ago, this same chuba told igbos to go for the presidency, he is an ingrate of the first order.
Posts: 6 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003
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Why are the Timber and Caliber OneNigria "Ibos" in the yahoogroup so downcast about Ekwueme, Okadigbo and these people, when they have just regained their freedom in Biafra. As they say, the revolution will not be televised. Suddenly, Biafra is here again; the sun is ready to rise, and this time the trusted people's general, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is still in charge. What a glorious day! APGA is the Biafran party. All Biafrans must shake off the sickening exceptionalism of the failed state - a clear illustration of Hausa/Yoruba managerial ingenuity - and re-dedicate themselves to serve Biafra by supporting APGA and the rebuilding of Biafra under Ojukwu's leadership.
Does any one know where to send money for APGA? Hail Biafra!
___________________ achieve Biafra and show the difference Posts: 642 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote: When that guy, Nwakanma, writes about Igbo interest, what he fails to understand is that when people like Okenwa Nwosu and Ndubisi Obiora say "Igbo," what they really mean is "Anambra and Enugu." They hate Ojukwu because Ojukwu is the only "Anambra man" who commands respect in "Imo."
Dave,
So Igboland is nolonger Igboland but Anambra/Enugu and Imo? While you are too busy dividing Igboland, where did you put the Delta Igbos, Ikwere/Rivers Igbos, Ebonyi Igbos and of course the Abia Igbos.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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The clear signal has been send by the Nigerians that there is no place for the Igbo in a corrupt Nigerian political landcape, the only option left is for the Igbo to support what is their own, Biafra.
Biafra remians the only place the Igbo people will find justice and fairplay, APGA is the only political party in Nigeria that seems to come near to the yearning and asperation of NdiIgbo, in the absence of APGA making any impact in the comming election because of the apparant sabotage by Obasanjo and the Yoruba, the Igbo block vote and support should be directed to ANPP which has an Igbo vice presidential candidate, NdiIgbo most make sure that Mr Obasanjo do not return back to Aso Rock,we should resist the idea of giving the slot of sanate president which Obasanjo will still change at will like an underwear, he simple does not belive on talking with NdiIgbo and will allways elavate selfish efulefus of Igbo extraction to become Igbo leaders and then use them to distablise Igboland further as this has been his stategies, it will be better to have an Igboman as the vice president than to have Obasanjo and Atiku the two best known present day Igbohaters, Obasanjo's return smells doom for NdiIgbo and represent the ultimate dismise of the Igbo race and the final propagation of the Yoruba agenda against NdiIgbo which started with Awolowo.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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Okadigbe and Buhari a very odd couple. One is intellectually savir with a questionable honor while the other, a mastubated intelligence rules from the barrel of a dane gun. Democracy will be humiliated if he wins, that is with a "BIG IF" Buhari is an extensive clone of Abacha with moderation.
Hail Biafra
Posts: 1672 | From: Minnesota USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I see that all you want to do is argue for its own sake. Until three weeks ago, Okenwa Nwosu had never seen any pro-Igbo agenda he could support. But, when he visited BiafraNigeria and was offered some job if Ekwueme won, he came back and started campaigning for Ekwueme.
For all I care, you and your Delta/Ikwere bothers can put yourself wherever you want as Igbo people. No one is dividing you into anything. I was only talking about Anambra and Imo. I thought you were always confused about Imo and Abia. When did your confusion about the two come to an end? I guess the education that Regina gave you sometime ago stuck in your head. What a surprise!!!
When Okenwa and co were supporting Ekwueme, they said it was "Igbo interest." Now, that their arch nemesis Ojukwu is the Igbo candidate, they no longer think in terms of "Igbo interest." Since when did Oko become more Igbo than Nnewi?
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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okwyonwuka, na wa for u o. Why are u worried about the dirty politics of nigeria. What will okadigbo vp do for Ndiigbo. Pls, let us stop chasing shadows and adopt effective strategies. Ekwueme was once a vp and didn't do much. As long as there is a presidency and legislature, the vp is essentially ceremonial. Even the fool obusonjo will continue to answer to those that installed him. The yoruba are opportunists and nepotistic so I don't hold them in any regard. It doesn't matter who's in charge b/c the same power brokers are the ppl who drive decisions. People should stop talking about votes b/c they will rigg in who ever their favored candidate is. The main thing is for the igbo to unite because it is only in unity that we can stand and be effective.
posted
Buhari and Okadigbo has nothing really to offer a people so harrased with poverty and hopelessness, worst-still a marginalised people like NdiIgbo. I will repeat that our only way forward is Biafra, the time is come for NdiIgbo to come togethere in other to salvage the future of our children and generations to come, APGA as a political party with Emeka Ojukwu as it's presidential candidate provide's the opportunity for us to speak with one voice and call the bluff of Nigeria and it's haterad against our people once again.let every onye Igbo stand up for what belongs to us, let us be that majority in a perseved minority party,APGA can be the largest party if all NdiIgbo will support it, let our votes speak for Biafra, if APGA can sweep every state in Igboland the Nigerians will marvel and be shaken on hearing the voice of Biafran people. One mistake my people will not do again is to return obasanjo to aso rock with Igbo votes. my position is that it is better to have Okadigbo and Buhari at aso rock than to have Obasanjo and Atiku the duo Igbo haters.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:The Yoruba are opportunists and nepotistic so I don't hold them in any regard
Ogbunigwe:
You don't think the Yoruba are more strategic politically than the Igbo? I would agree with you if you say they cannot be trusted in any regard. They are in it again. AD is not saying much, watching carefully.
___________________ TRUTH IS THE ONLY WAY Posts: 51 | From: Montevideo, Uruguay, Latin America | Registered: Oct 2002
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My last post crossed with yours, some how, the post before the last might be comfusing to some.
I am not interested in any Nigerian president or goverment that will not give my people freedom, I stand for Biafra and will be ready to give all for Biafra, by the look of things, APGA provides NdiIgbo the best oppurtunity with Dim Ojukwu.
what I said is that it will be better to have Okadigbo than to spend another four years in hell with Obasanjo.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
on what basis should we have okadigbo under a sharia president with no agenda for us. When buhari was in charge of PTF, the records show how biased the organisation was against the igbos. I believe we should come together, have a meeting and set an agenda for Ndi-Igbo because we are being used like prostitutes who have been promised marriage by these backward northerners.
Posts: 6 | From: Michigan | Registered: Jan 2003
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onumaraekwu, u are right about the yoruba being in a better strategic position politically than Ndiigbo in the current dispensation. That wasn't the case b4 the war. However, I still maintain that they are opportunists and nepotistic and that means they can't be trusted. I have nothing but contempt for them. What I see in Biafranigeria is a shaky north-west alliance conceived in the late 60s aimed at neutralizing Ndiigbo politically.
I have never seen the Yoruba as an obstacle. I think the problem with the Igbo is being dissatisfied with the conditions of what we have been building politically because the materials with which we have been building are not what they might be. If so, a fundamental improvement will not be possible until we ask if we are the kind of men we need to be, given the task ahead of us.
___________________ TRUTH IS THE ONLY WAY Posts: 51 | From: Montevideo, Uruguay, Latin America | Registered: Oct 2002
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