At the peak of campaign activities marking the 2015 election, contenders and political parties devised several electoral and tactical manoeuvres to not only market their candidates, but also warm into the hearts of the electorates. In Imo state, the state governor, Rochas Okorocha who is the undisputed leader and arrowhead of APC in Imo State and indeed South East, considering his designation as the only governor of the party in the zone, piloted the presidential candidate of his party, Muhhamadu Buhari.
Apparently aware of the challenges ahead of his party in the region before the polls, Okorocha devised several strategies to sell Buhari`s candidacy in Igbo land. It was this well concocted campaign know-how that led to the manufacture of an Igbo name; Okechukwu for Buhari. To political observers, the Okechukwu name Imo State governor bequeathed APC presidential candidate was to equate the Ebelle, a corrupt Ebere, an Igbo name former president and PDP candidate in that election, Goodluck Jonathan always added in a fanciful way when election approached. To give Buhari Igbo touches Jonathan enjoyed, Okechukwu was invented for that purpose. It was common to hear Buhari called Okechukwu. Even the state radio, the IBC recited Okechukwu Buhari and almost eliminated Muhhamadu from Mr President`s names while drumming support for the eventual winner of the contest. The Okechukwu name further manifested in other campaign tools employed by the party members to permeate the grassroots like the APC – maka odinma ndigbo slogan that reigned during the election.
Though I might not be a profound Igbo scholar or one of those versed in the translation of my mother language but elementary knowledge of Okechukwu means “God`s gift”. Even as the supposed false claim that the Okechukwu Buhari name is derived from his maternal affinity with Igbo states, the name ordinarily signifies that Buhari is God`s gift to Ndigbo.
However, recent developments since Buhari came on board appears to be an irony of the Okechukwu name. Judging from appointments made so far by Buhari, there is a sign post that the Okechukwu trademarks are missing in the president’s identity. Among the six geopolitical zones, South East, an Igbo enclave seems to be at the losing end of Buhari`s appointments so far. Granted that the President has the constitutional rights to make appointments, but the country’s peculiarities indicate that it must reflect the multi ethnic colouration of the people. This aspect is also enshrined in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria that preaches federal characters.
As an apostle of merit, I advocate for the recruitment of best and qualified hands to man sensitive positions in Buhari`s cabinet to ensure the new helsman realizes his ambition of salvaging Nigeria. In his first attempt, Buhari appointed service chiefs of the military without considering one from the South East. Even his other security related appointments excluded Ndigbo. In what could also be regraded as kitchen cabinet, no person from the five South East states was found worhty to merit a position of media aide, protocol officer and other cadres of assistants. If the popular Igbo adage “anaghi eji ututu ama njo ahia” (one does not know the outcome of a full day market session from the morning) sounds ambiguous because of the two-way traffic meaning, I don’t think another prominent Igbo aphorism “ana eshi na ushi ahuru ama uto shi” meaning ” the smell of a human mess determines the gravity of waste” is unequivocal.
From empirical evidences, Buhari may have jettisoned the Okechukwu name given to him by the Imo State governor and other sweet-coathed assertions South East APC tied his candidacy to. To prove that he will stick to his earlier statements of skewing his government towards those who gave him high votes under the the infamous 97% to 5℅ formula, the next batch released last week again excluded Ndigbo. Buhari`s action suggested that if Ndigbo were not considered okay for headship of military positions, non was also qualified to be named Chief Executives of para-military agencies like customs and immigration that had the gazette for appointments of their headmen neglected in t of new commanders.
Still on Buhari`s last week’s appointments, is the issue of the position of SGF. There is no gainsaying the fact that Ndigbo irrespective of party lineage are yet overcome the trauma of the denial of the position few APC eggheads in the region almost broke their heads fighting for recognition to be appointed for the elite position of the chief scribe of the country. I don’t know the reasons behind the style of appointments made by Buhari, but am aware that Nigeria stands on a tripod of three strong ethnic nationalities and without prejudice to any reasons, sharing of positions most times reflects these compositions.
While not trying to sound as a tribal jingoist, the belated nerve soothing apologies offered by Buhari`s spokesman, Femi Adeshina that Mr President will correct the imbalance in future endeavors, is not enough to sweep under the carpet reasons adduced by Buhari`s sympathizers that his appointments were done based on “merit” and “trust”.
By implication, Ndi Igbo, especially those who named Buhari, Okechukwu and made him a regular visitor to Igboland before the elections do not have his “merit” and “trust” status again. This aspect challenges the integrity of an average person from the South East.
This suspected mistrust and zero merit may have also been responsible for the latest twist in the downgrading status of Alvan Ikoku Federal University, Owerri. Before the exit of Jonathan administration, he left a legacy in education sector by upgrading some higher instutions across the country to a university. ALVAN was among but the rumour mill is agog of reports that Buhari has allegedly downgraded it to its former College of Education status.
Even the reported stoppage of the Second Niger bridge contract by the present government has also been linked to the suspected anti- Igbo stance.
I will not end this commentary without recalling and bringing to light one known Igbo folklore that aptly captures the Buhari scenario with respect to relationship with APC members of Igbo stock. I have respect for two Igbo-oriented musicians of old, Mike Ejeagha and late highlife maestro, Oliver D Coque, when in their separate albums used the tought-provoking Hunter and Dog story to entertain people.
According to the details of the song, the Hunter, otherwise known as Dimta went on hunting spree with the dog(Nkita) inside the bush. Dog is a favourite animal used in Igboland for hunting. As both entered the bush for the escapades, according to the story, the both laboured and toiled until through the efforts of the dog, fruitful harvest was made and the returned home for feasting. At the home front, the rosy affair changed when the hunter ordered that the dog should not be allowed have access to the booty and proceeds of the hunting business.
I don’t need to explain further on this but anybody reading my story will not know who is the hunter and the dog in the characters mentioned earlier.
