By Barrister Enyinna Onuegbu, 08034058008
Although, there has been consistently world class celebrations of the birthday of our beloved leader and “Federal Chief”. Chief Francis Arthur Uzoma Nzeribe (Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Damanze, Oyimba Oguta) (born of Umudei Royal Family, proud son of crown counsel Akpati and Julie Nzeribe), every year since he got hooked by our equally beloved and elegant Princess, Ogbuefi Mrs. Joan Edugie Nzeribe (I just realized a Prince married a Princess), I was pleasantly surprised to receive notice of this year’s event. Indeed Ogbuagus birthday celebration remains the numero uno celebration of the Nzeribe family no matter the number of “Owambes” in the family in a year we don’t get tired until we celebrate Chiefs birthday every year, it is our icing on CAKE HAPPINESS.
In my tribute to the most humble but courageous; simple but indefatigable; unobstructive but consuming; self effacing but mythical; caring but not reckless; wealthy but not a spend thrift; time conscious but patient; king of simplifying issues but completely focused on objectives; a remembrancer of evil deeds done him but never pays back; a true mass server for life; a leader of corpus Christi or Christ the King procession; the of style; distinctive in speech, garb gait and action, Senator Chief Francis Arthur Uzoma Nzeribe, I must recollect certain events I witnessed over the years to buttress my belief (and I am sure so many other admirers, or better disciples of our Chief) that the enigma who steadily creeps into your system and stays permanently such that “You can put on “an Arthur Nzeribe thinking cap” without knowing when and how remains evergreen.
ON FRIENDSHIP
In a letter dated 3rd July, 2003 to his longstanding friend late Chief Ferdinand Anaghara (IYI) after a few months of disagreement, Chief wrote
” My Dear friend,
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
The enmity is now long overdone. We have both made our points. You set out, to destroy your best friend for no just reason. For you to campaign against me in the election was very bad of you. You are wrong. You should say sorry. Then, for me to behave the way I did at the Governors’ house in Abuja was very wrong of me. I am sorry (underlining mine). We have both learnt our lessons. I won my primaries in style, won my election in style. There is nothing to fight over now. You are my good friend. A good friend like you, is better than a bad brother. Best wishes and see you soon. Yours truly, ”
I personally delivered this letter to Late chief Anaghara at his Works Road Owerri residence, h< asked me to open the letter myself and after reading it out, he laughed so heartily with tears c joy and the next day without receiving a written response, Chief took me along to meet IYI at the latters residence and DP flowed like water. How many multi billionaire political leaders in Nigeria today can be this humble and dedicated to friendship? Arthur is GOLDEN
ON THE QUEST FOR NIGERIAN PRESIDENT OF IGBO EXTRACTION
Chief delivered a Public Lecture on Monday 28th September, 1998 at Rosy arts theatre under the platform of Imo Assembly, we floated then. The topic was "Igwe bu Ike but Charity begins at home" "He said: "We all desire Power shift to the South, the South does not automatically mean South East. How do we actualize our noble and imperative objectives? It is being (sic) argued that all Igbos should not or cannot join on eparty. I agree. But I amend that position by saying that most of our leaders and people must as of necessity join one of the major parties in a dominant way in order to be effective if we are to achieve our objective and take real power. Not apparent power or simply a position.
It is possible as it was with the Igbos in NCNC, the Yorubas with UPN and AG, the Northerners with NPC, as it today with Northerners with NPC, as it is today with the Afenifere and Yorubas. Only but so doing can we win nomination in a party, to be able to win the election.
If we are not predominant in any party, then we cannot be strong enough in any party to win nomination. Therefore, our potential Igbo Presidential aspirants - Dr Alex Ekwueme, Chief E. C. Iwuanyanwu, and Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu cannot be going with their calls for support in different directions and in different parties thus dissipating our collective strength and support. I mentioned the three Igbo sons because they are the ones with high profiles for the job and leadership, and quite frankly, our best bets ".
My Comments: In Politics Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe sees tomorrow. He is akin to NOSTRADAMUS but many do not yet realize this truism. Is it any wonder today that South Easterners are dominant in PDP the platform that now represents our best bet to actualize a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in the near future. It is also in keeping with his humility and self effacing disposition that he neglected to mention himself as a possible Igbo Presidential contender having contested for that exalted office under the SDP (Social Democratic Party) platform with late General Musa Yar'dua . FANZ is a PROPHET IN POLITICS.
ON THE NEED FOR CONSENSUS IN POLITICS.
I will quote Chiefs letter dated 12th May, 1998 to Prince Pat Abii then Governorship aspirant under the DPN (Democratic Party of Nigeria).
" you want people to give you the ticket without dialogue, negotiation or
'Consensus ". It will not work. You say you prefer a bitter primaries after which you will win people back. It will not work. I advice that you apply the resources' to win them over now. Via "Consensus" without destroying them through primaries. I am speaking from experience. Once we in the DPN Imo today go through primaries, then it is goodbye to the Crown of producing a governor. We must accept our weakness. The choice is yours.... "
MY COMMENT: Prince Pat Abii was then the front runner guber aspirant in DPN with Chief Achike Udenwa, a distant player. But when General Abacha died, the centre could not hold yet of these two leading aspirants, Chief Udenwa was able to inherit by a better followership out of DPN into PDP and achieved its candidature in the Governorship election of 1999. He no doubt was then seen as a bridge builder; and consensus aspirant across the state, unlike some aspirants who imported delegates from Jos to over bloat the votes from their LGAs.
Indeed ARTHUR is a TEAMPLAYER not a winner takes it all apparatchik.
ON CHIEF AND THE NIGERIAN NATION:
I had often taken benefit of certain discussions with Chief Francis Arthur Nzeribe, to surmise that he is pan Nigerian, very patriotic, very Nigerian and above nepotic, tribal, religious or Political party dogma and sentiments. This is unarguable from the following instances.
When he was elected a Senator under the NPP he was more a Nigerian Senator than an opposition party bigot,
When the Military overthrew the fledgling Shagari Administration and Chief was lucky to escape the closure of the Nigerian Airports, he used those frightful years writing books against the Military coup against the Nigerian Civilian Government led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Nobody could dare putting Arthur in a crate for shipment to Nigeria. His courageous efforts equated with the efforts of the NADECO in fighting the June 12 crisis.
When Chief Nzeribe was re-elected to the Senate, during the Abacha regime under the platform of the DPN, he was able before the inauguration of the National Assembly to galvanize the elected members under a body we called, Union of Democratically elected Representatives of Nigeria (UDERN) to play the politics of that time. This elicited the envy of members elected under the majority party (UNCP) and they quickly ganged up to scuttle the dream apparently to curb Chiefs national popularity THEY WERE SCARED OF THE LION from Igboland.
When in 2007 through a home grown contrivance Chief Nzeribe lost the primaries that would have heralded his return to the senate for a record fifth time to a young bye product of the Redemption machine Senator Izunaso Chief protested in line with Party guidelines and upon loosing the protest to the 1st panel directed me not to file the appeal to the Appeal panel. He said, "Enough is enough let the young man enjoy the Udara he picked by the way side ".
This decision was later to be applauded by then President Umaru Musa Yar'dua GCFR, when Imo elders visited him at the Aso rock villa with His Excellency Dr. Ikedi Ohakim. The President reminded all that chief Nzeribe was a loyal party man who accepted the painful loss of primaries with equanimity and stayed to fight for the party's election victory.
He had there and then announced a National award of CON (Commander of the Order of the Niger) which investiture could not take place until the then president died.
True to his humble character when I asked chief to allow me renew the agitation for his National honour, he told me "you win some, you loose some' that award died with 'Umaru Musa Yar 'dua, may his soul rest in peace ". Ironically when Senator Izunaso lost his own subsequently reelection primaries, he contested it up to the Supreme Court of Nigeria unsuccessfully and eventually joined another party. CHIEF NZERIBE IS GOOD PARTY MAN any day, anytime, whenever, wherever, whatever.
Finally, Nigerians are celebrating the commencement of a National Conference it may be worthwhile to recall, that while Senator Okorunmu is being hailed for moving the motion on that issue during the 5th Senate Session, the co-sponsor of that motion was Senator Arthur Nzeribe of Imo West.
When shall Nigeria give my Chief his due regard in our history after all instead of riotous demonstrations in our Political firmament, Chief Arthur Nzeribe taught Nigerians how to use the legal due process to ventilate grievances in politics as he did over June 12 1993 when some people claimed they will be President of Nigeria without Igbo support. The rest is history. I pray President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GFCR) to urgently confer that National Honour on Chief Arthur Nzeribe, he deserves it. Although I know Chief Nzeribe does not care about awards.
ON OGUTA, Chief in his "But I have a dream" speech in 1987 said "But I have a dream. A dream of a new Oguta. A united, patriotic, developed, progressive, peaceful and loving Oguta town with its people. A land of honey and happiness where there is no evil or bitterness. A dream to rewrite the history of Oguta, to make our generation great, to imprint our marks on the town so that generations to follow will be proud of us and emulate us". Do you have a dream? Do you love Oguta? Do you really? If so, join me'. He has unrivaled human empowerment and infrastructural projects over the years in Oguta.
MY COMMENTS: I have stayed close to Chief Arthur Nzeribe since 1994, and I can honestly attest that he enjoys a special attachment to his Oguta home. It is not because his palatial residence is named "Haven of Peace". It is because, East, West, North and South, Chief has seen them all but like in words of the sojourner: Home is best and we are grateful that MOTHER GENERAL truly makes home the best for our beloved 75 years young Chief. For His beloved wife, Chief regularly says "He can only give more love". Really the Lion and his jewel. See you @ 76 yrs, by God's. Amen
