By Jude Atupulazi
Of all the candidates canvassing for votes ahead of the November 8 Governorship Election in Anambra State, only one, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, believes that the election should be narrowed down to the church one attends. He has been using his cronies to propagate this, while staying in the background. But will this fly?
Coming at a time when more politicians are beginning to even question the rationale behind geographical zoning, including that of denomination into the conversation may be one addition too many. According to Ukachukwu, the Catholic Church in the state has been producing all the governors since the days of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, an Anglican/Pentecostal.
As such, all candidates of Catholic background should steer clear from contesting in the November election to give those of other denominations, including those of traditional religion, a chance to become governors. Some yarn, if you ask me.
It is not too long ago I wrote in this column about this topic. I had explained what appears to be ”Catholic domination” in the politics of the state to some people. I was able to point out that since Mbadinuju, Catholics had always produced the best candidates and had also always been more in the number of candidates in any election.
For instance, I had pointed out that in all the elections, while the Catholic Church had had such candidates as Peter Obi, Chris Ngige, George Moghalu, Chukwuma Soludo, Oseloka Obaze, Val Ozigbo, and now, Paul Chukwuma, Chuma Umeorji and Obiora Okonkwo, those of other denominations, collectively, had had the likes of Godwin Ezemo, Andy Uba and now Nicholas Ukachukwu, as candidates of major political parties.
The above candidates of Catholic background contested alongside the trio of Ezemo, Uba and Ukachukwu at different times and in each of those times, there was no way any of the three could have beaten those of Catholic background in the election.
It was either the clouts of the other three candidates were much poorer or their backgrounds were unsavoury. Do I need to go into the history of the Ubas in the politics of Anambra State? Who could have chosen anyone from that dynasty over an Obi, Ngige or Soludo? In effect, I only tried to point out that candidates of Catholic backgrounds had always been much better and were always huge favourites to win.
Indeed, the governorship of Anambra State has always been based on competence, not on where one worships. That is why an Obi would have won in his day, even if he was of another denomination. Same reason Ngige or Soludo would also have won. Even now, who could honestly say Ukachukwu is better than Soludo? Even if one does not like Soludo, the fact of who is better stares everyone in the face. It is as clear as a billboard is more prominent than a street signpost. So what are we talking about?
Some people who belong to the school of thought of religious politics will also complain that Catholics hold meetings in which they order their members to vote en-bloc for Catholic candidates. If that is so, why are prominent Catholics always found in the ranks of candidates of other denominations?
Why is it that even now the greatest critic of Soludo is a fellow Catholic and a priest for that matter? I’m talking about Father Ebube Muonso. In fact, at a stage, it was clear that if the priest had his way, he would remove Soludo from his seat. Why should he be fighting Soludo if Catholics are diehard denominational propagators in the politics of the state?
Again, if Catholics have the state’s political affairs in their firm grip, why have some of their candidates been losing elections to candidates of other faiths for House of Assembly, House of Reps and Senate over the years? A look at those elections will easily show one that the best candidates in the eyes of voters have been winning and this is something that isn’t going to stop anytime soon.
Methinks therefore that Ukachukwu’s recourse to denominational politics begs the question. It shows a man not ready yet to face his opponents in an election. I think also that he himself knows the quality of the other candidates who happen to be Catholics. I’m sure if they were obscure personalities that could easily be beaten, Ukachukwu wouldn’t have been crying for candidates of other denominations or even religions, to be given a chance.
My stand on this therefore remains that the best candidates will always win elections. Any denomination which feels cheated should shop for and field the best candidates and see if the tables won’t turn. Ukachukwu should please spare us this strange gospel.
Surviving the Peace
Even if crime has not been completely wiped out in our state, no one can deny that everyone is today enjoying a new lease of life. Has anyone noticed that since Soludo’s clampdown on criminal elements in the state, kidnapping and robbery activities seem to have also reduced all over the east? Does it tell you something?
I have noticed that even the communities that were the hotbed of criminality in neighbouring states started enjoying peace the moment Anambra took the war to the criminals. It seems all of a sudden that Imo State has started enjoying calm at same time Anambra started theirs.
Does it mean that it is the same people who carried out raids in Anambra that were doing so in Imo State and vice versa? Did the capture and neutralization of some them deplete the ranks of criminals in both states? Does it mean that it was the same people that wrought terror on their people in Imo and Anambra States?
Whatever the reason, I guess many are happier today and will wish a continuation of the current state of affairs. But as we enjoy the newfound peace, let’s not rest on our oars in the belief that nothing will happen again.
The recent attack by the hoodlums in Amesi, Aguata LGA of Anambra State, which led to one death and burning of three vehicles, should be a stark reminder that crime can never be completely eliminated. If it can still be happening in Europe and America, who says it can’t be happening here? What to do?
Let’s all remain eternally vigilant. Most people who resort to criminality have no other means of livelihood and are bound to risk everything to strike once in a while in order to exist. They remind me of a caged beast who will quickly escape if given the opportunity. These hoodlums can be driven by hunger and desperation to strike out occasionally and it is for us to be at alert.
They still live among us, drink with us and talk with us. This is why we should be careful and report anyone who acts suspiciously. They are always lurking like dangerous animals, ready to strike at any moment. We should report all suspicious elements in our midst, including fake native doctors and sellers of dangerous and harmful drugs. Without them, society will be a lot safer as they are the triggers of criminality.
Call 08002200008 as soon as you have sufficient reason to suspect anyone. Security is everyone’s business.
The Case of Simon Ekpa
What has a beginning will always have an end. This is one thing that sustains those in distress. For long, the Igbo Nation was held hostage by the activities of hoodlums masquerading as freedom fighters who were being incited to violence against their people by their masters abroad.
It started in the time of Nnamdi Kanu and continued in the time of Simon Ekpa. Ekpa was once the beloved of Kanu. They worked together in their phantom claim to be working for our liberation. A liberation that has led to the desecration of Igbo Land by their half-literate or completely illiterate goons who believed any yarn they were told.
I am sorry if this will offend some people but I have always pointed out that the current Biafra struggle as propagated by these two guys has been nothing but a money making scam. But they have proved to be masters in brainwashing and hoodwinking people. You cannot imagine the kind of hold they have on some otherwise sane personalities, especially our brothers abroad, who regularly donate money to them from their bases, believing they are next things to Nnamdi Azikiwe and co.
After Kanu was nabbed, Ekpa took over and became worse. Some people started trying to make distinctions between the two, preferring to blame everything on Ekpa. But the question I have always asked, but which I always don’t get an answer to, is for anyone to tell me what Kanu said or did that Ekpa did not say or do. Did both not incite people against security agents? Did both not threaten people with death for coming out on certain days? Didn’t both make voice notes of such?
Today, some are pleading for Kanu and sending delegations to Abuja. Goodluck to them. As they do this, Ekpa has been arrested in his safe haven in Finland and will soon be repatriated to Nigeria to face trial. Mark my words: when that happens, it won’t be long before delegations will also start going to Abuja to plead for him and to say that he was fighting for our liberation.
Whatever happens, one fact remains: these two brought the current evil that has torn the Igbo Nation apart, security wise, with their violent brand of agitation. This is something no one can really deny, but thank God that the truth is coming out and ”who no know go know”.
