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Abia, S’East: In defence of Benjamin Kalu
By Ben Benson-Okoli Esq
Succinctly put, politics is about power, influence and control. In his treatise, “Prince,” Niccolo Machiavelli argued that politics is about acquisition, maintenance and exercise of power though he sees deceit, violence and manipulation as part of the methods politicians often employ.
Aristotle was even more emphatic. To him, it is the art and science of running a state. In a broader sense, it is about contestation for ideas and power.
It was this contestation and the geo-political imbalances in our polity that threw us into the convulsions that consumed over three million lives and left the remainder gasping for breath and survival. It was for that reason that after 13 years of suffering the consequences of trying to save the Igbo people from what he called slavery that the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ezeigbo gburugburu) threw himself into the arena to push them into the centre of governance.
This strategic move was undertaken by him because the Triple “Rs” put in place by Yakubu Gowon, the Head of State, who prosecuted the Biafran war had not worked, his vision then, being to align his people to the centre, utilising a strong regional base.
That was the basis of Ojukwu joining the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN). In his own words: “I joined NPN to bring the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria’s politics, since I was the one that pulled them out in the first place.”
Today, the same lot seems to have fallen on another illustrious Igbo son – no doubt with the same consequences of being misrepresented or misinterpreted – The Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Recall that fresh from exile, Ojukwu had sought to represent Ndigbo at the Senate but lost out.
It was not that he lost, not the least to little-known, Edwin Onwudiwe, but a clear scrutiny of that outcome showed that contrary to the claim that it was the machination of the then big wigs in the NPN who didn’t want him at the Senate for obvious reasons, it was actually his people that were used to scuttle the ambition.
In other words, it was not an Alhaji Musa that manned and superintended the polling units, but either Mr Okoro, Mr Okonkwo or Mr Okeke. So, it was a conspiracy of his own people – a war from home and a war we must defeat to progress.
The next big opportunity to reintegrate Ndigbo into the mainstream is here once again. This captures the advocacy and current efforts of Kalu. The emergence of this deep thinker and conscious mind at this time in our history, therefore does not seem ordinary, but rather a divine intervention. Given the shortcomings we have suffered as a people and circumstances of the birth of the biblical Benjamin, the Deputy Speaker will seem a divine gift. His political career, his antecedents, how his paths were cleared and the sweatless journey to becoming the leader of his people against all odds, bear eloquent testimony to the unseen hands behind the man with grace.
Clearly, the man carries grace, and like they say, woe betide him that fights a man with grace. Even with all that, nothing has troubled our polity in the recent time more than the uproar, controversy and furore raised by the seeming competition and contestation between Kalu and Alex Otti, Governor of his home state, Abia.
No doubt the governor has achieved some appreciable milestones but the Deputy Speaker stands out, even at that as the man behind the mask. As a great student of Napoleon Bonaparte, he is a firm believer that politics of diplomacy and robust engagement is the best way to recover lost grounds and shortest route to the reintegration that his people yearn.
If you consider all he has achieved, including the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the many Federal Government’s unusual presences in the South East, you will agree that this transformational leader has out- performed all the leaders who came before him put together in terms of bringing the dividends of democracy to his people.
Again, one of the demonstrable indications of this model of political engagement is his work to secure freedom for Nnamdi Kanu and restore peace in the region. Yes, he may not have carried placards nor appeared on the gallery like others but like Bonaparte, he daily works behind the scene to persuade President Tinubu to have MNK delivered to him and other Igbo leaders. This is sure to happen.
Regrettably, rather than lend our support to this brilliant mind, many of us have by our actions and inactions, made his job a lot difficult. The insinuation that the highest-ranking Igbo man in our national politics is in competition with anybody in the South East, including his Governor, is the purest example of the ejiri mara (trademark) politics of our people, and which must be rejected.
This is the reason the recent diatribe credited to the governor, which is aimed at this political icon ought to be considered as most unfair thing to say the least. BOK is very deliberate in his vision, focus and actions, which is reflected in the attention South East is now attracting from the federal authorities unlike in the past when it was totally ignored in the scheme of things.
What then is the sin of BOK? Is it in insisting and truthfully so, that his productivity would be greater and his negotiating strength stronger with his base overwhelmingly behind him?
The impression that BOK wants to remove the Governor that he has helped and still helping to develop Abia State by the huge resources that he is attracting is quite unfortunate, because neither the impression nor the sentiment is correct.
Incidentally, this false alarmist thinking may have gained traction, given that this is the first time that the state is enjoying the dividend of democracy since its creation.
Sadly, the governor seems to be leveraging on the ignorance and the weakness of the people to demand the reversal of roles, notwithstanding the established hierarchy that donates that position to BOK. For instance, the manner in which a statement BOK made in the closet before his kinsmen, has been magnified, misinterpreted and taken to the market place to depict him as the enemy of the state despite attracting infrastructure, projects and appointments more than any other leader, living or dead.
Indeed, it is regrettable that while Kalu is celebrated nationally and internationally, attempts are being made to undermine him in his own base. God forbid! Yes, Otti has awakened a new dawn but it must be said that there is one illustrious son that has the magic wand that must be acknowledged as well. Ndi Abia need this leader, Otti needs him even the more, to smoothen his path to greatness and greater Abia. The conversation must now shift to whether it won’t be to the collective good to give Abia to BOK, the critical support he requires to penetrate the Federal Government even the more.
In closing, like Napoleon Bonaparte 1786-1821, the French emperor and General whose victories over Australia and Russia singled him out and made him the master of Europe, what BOK is telling his people is – it is my design to lead you into the fertile plains of the world…….. There, you will find honour, glory and wealth. That journey may have begun since June 13, 2023, when the lot fell on him to lead his people.
Now is not only the time to think, but time to act!
Benson-Okoli, is a journalist and lawyer. He writes from Abuja via benchinee@yahoo.com
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, on Tuesday, revealed that more than 840,000 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas in Nigeria, describing the situation as a significant migration challengem describing the development as a global phenomenon.
A guest on Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, the Minister, who said the figure was obtained through the country’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system, told his host: “Just as we have Nigerian overstayers in the UK, Nigeria is also facing the same challenge. As of this morning, through our upgraded system, we have about 848,290 visa overstayers in Nigeria. These are citizens of different countries residing in Nigeria.”
The Minister, while stressing that irregular migration remained a global issue requiring international cooperation, stated that visa overstays would help curb related crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
Stressing the importance of bilateral agreements, particularly in ensuring the “dignified return” of individuals who no longer had the legal right to remain in a country, he dismissed concerns that Nigeria could be pressured into accepting foreign prisoners.
His words: “I have seen reports suggesting that prisoners would be brought into Nigeria. This government will not tolerate such. There is no way this administration will sign that kind of agreement.
“The recently signed Nigeria–UK migration agreement is based on reciprocity and applies strictly to Nigerian nationals. The Federal Government has been transparent about the deal. It does not include the transfer of foreign inmates. It excludes family members and that each case is treated based on specific legal conditions. Nigerians returned under the arrangement will be treated with dignity in line with their fundamental human rights. No Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement.”
Meanwhile, the minister revealed earlier in March that the Federal Government has strengthened its capacity to track and apprehend visa overstayers.
He said this is being achieved through data collected over the past decade and the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre.
The development follows a migration pact signed earlier in March between Nigeria and the United Kingdom during President Bola Tinubu’s visit.
The agreement seeks to fast-track the return of Nigerian visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers, and convicted offenders in the UK, while enhancing cooperation on tackling visa fraud, cybercrime, and other transnational offences.
African Democratic Congress (ADC), may have its ranks swollen by gaining its first governor if Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, eventually joins the coalition, which is fast gaining momentum as the major challenger of President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports say the governor has indicated his intention to join the now main opposition party on Thursday, weeks after an alleged failed attempt to pitch his tent with the ruling APC over some irreconcilable differences.
The report, which said the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, hinted at the defection on Tuesday while hosting some ADC leaders, including Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at the government house in Bauchi, pointed to the parlous situation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had earlier held sway as a prominent leader.
Recall that Mohammed was and is still Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, where only himself and Seyi Makinde, his Oyo State counterpart are now remaining after the tsunami that swept away many of their colleagues alongside many other heavy heavyweights in the party.
With the PDP, ostensibly firmly in the vice grip of Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed and others, who have shown resentment towards the camp, have been left with little option other than quit.
The governor was quoted as saying: “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the All Progressives Congress, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
Hinting further that ADC appeared to be the acceptable platform for him, Mohammed who stated that he had not concluded discussions, said David Mark, ADC National Chairman, had extended an invitation to him and his supporters to join the party after extensive consultations.
He added: “I’m here this morning with a delegation from the ADC headquarters, where my mentor, my boss, Senator David Mark, is leading, and he has sent an olive branch to reconnect me with the umbilical cord of the opposition, where I have always emerged from.
“Certainly, as a leader in the PDP, we have found ourselves in a very serious ambivalence, where our party is headless. Of course, I have pursued all avenues for reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“Our people are putting me under extreme pressure, and we have set up two committees – one in Abuja at the national level, because of my position as a leader of the party, and one here to look at where to go.
“We left all our options open, including the APC itself, but certainly we have discovered that we cannot be where we are not wanted. We have to find a place within the opposition.
“That is where our fate and political destiny is taking us. And the ADC appears to be a very enduring and more acceptable platform among the people who are engaging with me so far.”
Stating that consultations were still ongoing, and that a final decision would be communicated by Thursday, he maintained that inclusivity remained key to whatever direction is taken.
His words: “We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we will be on the same page and not exclude ourselves from participation. And so, you will hear a firm commitment from us by Thursday, when we would have met in Abuja. That was why I said I have to carry everybody along.”
The governor, while stressing that due diligence was key before any political realignment is finalised, stated that engagements were ongoing with stakeholders across the PDP at both levels to ensure a smooth transition and avoid missteps.
“For now, I would say this is our preferred destination, but we have not concluded in a way that allows us to deepen stakeholder engagement and collaboration so that we do not make mistakes. That is where we are,” he said while expressing appreciation for the outreach by the ADC, describing it as timely given the PDP internal challenges.
Emphasising that political strength ultimately rested with the electorate and not party structures alone, he added: “We believe in winning elections, and elections are contested and won at the polling unit. We are not afraid of anyone.
“We have done all we can in terms of self-preservation, political accommodation, and participation, but it is not working. Therefore, we must now confront the challenges of this existential option being presented to us by the ADC.”
“This government is not going to tolerate something like that. There is no way this government, under this president, will sign that sort of agreement; it’s never going to be done. What this agreement talks about are Nigerians who are overstayers or who are out of status in the United Kingdom.”
These were the exact words of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, with which he denied claims that the Federal Government, had by the recent migration agreement signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom, would allow the transfer of foreign criminals to Nigeria.
The agreement, one of the three signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK is said to be aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration management, border security, and economic development.
Against the backdrop of resentments by a groundswell of highly critical Nigerians, who claimed it could enable the UK to transfer criminals seeking asylum in the country to Nigeria, the Minister, a guest on Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, told his host that such was never the case, as the President would never accept such a deal under any circumstances.
His words: “Article 7 of the agreement says, ‘the parties will work together to secure the dignified return of their nationals who do not or who no longer have the right to enter or remain in that country.’ I have seen some things in the media where some people are saying that they want to go and bring prisoners from all over the world and dump in Nigeria.”
Insisting that Nigerians had nothing to worry about regarding the agreements with the UK government, he noted that they were based on the international diplomatic model of reciprocity.
Hear him: “Why do I say there is nothing to be worried about? These agreements have opened a vista of opportunities for collaboration, and I say this very clearly: Nigeria, under this administration, is not interested in exporting problems to any part of the world. We want to solve our problems. We want to put our house in order.
“We believe that irregular migration today is not just a UK problem, it’s not just an American problem—it’s a problem all over the world, including in our own country. Partnership is needed to bring all hands together to solve this problem.”
The Minister, who maintained that the government had nothing to hide, while acknowledging that the full agreement was not published, stated that the details were contained in the media by the President, through Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, who highlighted different sections.
Speaking on the envisaged gains, the Minister, said for instance that Article 8 of the agreement addressed the rights of returnees, who would at all times be treated with respect and dignity, with due regard to their fundamental human rights.
Describing the deal as a “50-50” arrangement for the two countries, he added that the agreement was different from the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, emphasising that it excluded family members, while each case would be handled according to specific legal conditions.
FG: We’re dealing with migration problems too *840,000 expired visa cases
ADC to gain first governor ahead of crucial decision by stakeholders
London deal: Nothing to hide, Nigeria won’t be haven for UK criminals – FG
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