Politics

Dr. Chuba Okadigbo’s Political Arithmetic and how he died Trying To Actualize President Buhari’s Ambition

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2020

From Our Political Desk

Dr. Wilberfotce William Chuba Okadigbo was Nigeria’s Senate President at the beginning of the fourth republic after the impeachment of Chief Evans Enwerem by the national assembly.

Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was one of the most celebrated Nigerian political scientists who authored many books and taught in American Universities.

The Late Chuba Okadigbo is well versatile in the field of politics practically and theoretically.

While his Igbo Kinsmen are always aligning themselves with topmost Igbo political leaders, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was a respecter of the Northern region and its people.

In the second republic, the late political sage was with the National Party Of Nigeria, NPN, an offshoot of the Northern Peoples Congress, The NPC.

When Late President Shehu Shagari formed the government in 1979, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was the President’s Political Adviser.

His Struggle to Ensure President Buhari Was Elected President and How He died.

In the runoff to the 2003 general elections, Dr. Wilberforce William Chuba OKadigbo decamped from the ruling People s Democratic Party to the Defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, The ANPP, but that was after he resigned from his position as number three in Nigeria’s political hierarchy, that was the senate, President.

By the time he decamps to the ANPP, all was set for the conduct of the 2003 general elections, the first Civilian to Civilian Transition in 20 years since the overthrow of late President Shehu Shagari three months after the beginning of his second tenure in office.

When late Chuba Okadigbo, was received in the ANPP, news then made round that the late Political Sage will run a presidential ticket with Nigeria’s former Head Of State, General Muhammadu Buhari.

On the Eve of the ANPP convention many withdrew from the race particularly candidates from the Northern region, they were Late Marafan Sokoto Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, Alhaji Dauda Birma, which was done to ensure President Buhari clinches the party’s ticket easily.

NDA-ISAIAH Was A Friend And Ally- President Buhari

But a serious drama ensued when the Chairman of the ANPP convention planning committee Senator Umar Kumo was calling on the contestants to come to the podium to tell the delegates their manifestoes one by one.

Those that refused to withdraw from the race gathered and chunked themselves on the Podium, they were late Edwin Ume Ezeoke, Pere Ajunwa, Harry Akande, Rochas Okorocha and John Nwodo Junior, now President Ohanaze Ndigbo, announcing their withdrawal from the primaries and finally staged a walkout, that almost ruptured the show but with the intervention of well-matured politicians like the Late Chuba Okadigbo, the tension at the eagle square died down.

President Buhari and Late Chuba Okadigbo

One of those whose remarks generate serious attention was the late Chuba Okadigbo, by the time he rose on the podium to Counter Perre Ajunwa’s, Harry Akande’s, Rocha’s Okorocha’s, Edwin Ume Ezeoke’s, the attention of the delegates was tilted towards late Chuba Okadigbo.

“it’s the sign of Political Sagacity to understand the Political Arithmetic, my mentor Zik of Africa worked with the NPC and formed a Government with Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister,” Said Dr. Chuba Okadigbo

The audience was not surprised as it’s a political scientist and a theoretician talking and doing away with the public relations gaffes perpetrated by the likes of Ajunwa, Okoroha, Edwin Ume Ezeoke even though they exercised their rights to freedom of association and to hold a political opinion.

The Alleged Gassing Of Okadigbo to death on the fateful September 23, 2003.

After the Abel Goubadia led Independent National Electoral Commission declared President Olusegun Obasanjo as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Obasanjo’s main challenger in the race General Muhammadu Buhari and the ANPP organized a rally in Kano which was the only state wrested from PDP in the 2003 General election in preparation to institute a court case against the PDP at the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, the rally was staged at the famous Kano Pillars Stadium on Wednesday, September 23, 2003, in Kano.

General Muhammad Buhari as he was called then was accompanied from Kano /Kaduna Border by the former Governor of Kano State Malam Ibrahim Shekarau to Kano Pillars Stadium, then Federal Government under the PDP locked the stadium but on the instruction of Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekaru the Youth stormed and open the gate of the stadium.

After entry, Late Dr. chuba Okadigbo also addressed the gathering, it was alleged then knowing fully well his asthmatic condition something was sprayed, immediately after the rally when OKadigbo and Buhari went back to Abuja on September 25, 2003, Late Chuba Okadigbo passed away.

General Buhari’s Supporters mourned the late Okadigbo and several Nigerian dailies took him as their cover story extolling his Virtues.

Now Buhari is the President, What has he done for Okadigbo’s Family

Hardly one divorced Nigerian politics from a family affair issue, political connection or fraternity, President Buhari in his journey to becoming President of Nigeria since the year 2003, he has lost rare political gems Including Dr, Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Marshal Harry, Dr Ibrahim Tahir, Taliban Bauchi, Barrister Mike Ahamba and a number of them, the President is known as maintaining ties with childhood friends and political allies, but Okadigbo’s and others whose family members are still alive, have they benefited from the labour of their fathers and family relationships in their effort to consolidate Buhari’s political ambition? It yes or No

If their families are not included in Government or did not benefit from anything even intruders who have never laboured anything in Buhari’s political reckoning are those enjoying in the corridor’s of power, has the President forget Okadigbo’s, Tahir’s, Harry Marshalls and the rest?

Related Topics:Chuba Okadigbo Kano Rally Nigerians

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Staying Loyal: Key to Winning Elections in Nigeria-Reno Omokri

Published

2 weeks ago

May 14, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Obasanjo ,Yaradua and Jonathan during the May 29 2007 handover to President Yaradua

Reno Omokri

If you want to win an election in Nigeria, you can’t jump from party to party. Nobody who has done that has ever won an election at the centre in Nigeria from our amalgamation by the British in 1914 to now. Nobody! You can do so at the regional and state level, especially where your region has ethnic homogeneity. But in a pluralistic federation, you are toast if you do that.

Only those who have remained loyal to their parties have ever won elections as Presidents or Prime Ministers in Nigeria. Your party can go into coalition and merger with another party, or it can change its name and your reputation will remain intact. But when you leave your party to join another party, the people also leave you.

No matter what happens within your party, stay there and resolve the situation. Assert yourself th amere. Go from battleground to common ground. If you cannot lead your party out of a crisis, you will not be able to convince non-tribal critical thinking voters that you can lead the country out of crisis.

Tafawa Balewa was a member of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties. Shagari was a member of the National Party of Nigeria, which was an offshoot of the Northern Peoples Congress. He never changed parties.

Obasanjo, Yar’adua and Jonathan were members of the Peoples Democratic Party. They never changed parties.

Buhari was a member of the All Peoples Party, which later changed its name to the All Nigeria Peoples Party. The party eventually split, and Buhari went with the Congress for Progressive Change, which, in 2013, merged with other parties to form the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu was a member of the Social Democratic Party, which was dissolved by Abacha in 1993. Following this, he helped found the Alliance for Democracy, which merged with other parties to form the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2006. The ACN merged with other parties to form the APC in 2013.

Nigerian Politicians should learn from history. The best predictor of the future is the past. Between now and 2027, any politician who leaves his party for another party, except where there is a merger, is just wasting his time and money if he contests for the Presidency.

A country struggling with political stability cannot afford a leader who also struggles with his own mental and political stability.

Sadly, in Nigeria, to leave your party in Presidential politics is to live in pity as a perennial candidate!

Reno Omokri is a former Adviser to President Jonathan

Politics

When Two Kano Elephant fights, The Grass Suffers -Kabiru Anka

Published

3 weeks ago

May 7, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Kabiru Anka PhD.

The political Intrigues in Kano State in recent time can be rationalised within the dictim of the adage of “When two Elephants fight ,the Grass Suffers”.
It all began with series of litigations and media attacks aimed at former Governor of the state and the National Chairman of ALL Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ostensibly by the NNPP lead State government of Abba Kabiru Yusuf

The government, using its organs gone filled multiple court cases against Governor Ganduje and his wife, creating a climate of turmoil and uncertainty in the state.

The fact that the government has taken such drastic measures, including an orchestrated suspension of Ganduje from his party at the ward level, highlights the magnitude of the crisis that has emerged at the national party level. Interest groups are now jostling to take advantage of the situation and capitalize on Ganduje’s vulnerabilities to potentially remove him from office.
However, amidst all these Intrigues is the underlying fact aimed at the demolition of the structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
It didn’t stop at that , there is also the glaring evidence to stop work on all inherited projects of the former government even at great cost to tax the payers.
As a result, the political turmoil in Kano State has far-reaching implications not only for Ganduje but also for the overall stability of the APC in the state and of course the development of the people.
The power play between interest groups and the state government threatens to disrupt the political status quo and create a vacuum that could be exploited by opportunistic elements.
The situation in Kano State is a reflection of the complex and often treacherous nature of Nigerian politics. As Ganduje navigates through this storm of litigation and media attacks, it is crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize the interests of the people and work towards a resolution that upholds the democratic principles on which our society is built. Only through unity and cooperation can we overcome the challenges that lie ahead and forge a path towards a brighter future for Kano State and Nigeria as a whole than witch hunting a man who worked tirelessly for the sustainability of APC in Kano and success recorded during the last general elections.

The citizens of Kano deserve leaders who prioritize their well-being and work towards the common good, rather than engaging in power struggles and personal vendettas.
Moving forward, it is essential for all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground to resolve the political turmoil in Kano State. By focusing on the issues that truly matter to the people, such as infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and job creation, etc.

Ultimately, the future of Kano State rests on the ability of its leaders to rise above petty politics and prioritize the welfare of the citizens than running after a man who did his best to develop the state as governor.
Two many projects we leant have been abandoned while new ones are being flagged off. Ironically Ganduje completed many of the projects initiated by Kwankwaso. Indeed ,when two elephants fight the grass suffers.

Dr Kabiru Anka is political analysis based in Kano

Politics

Gov. Gida-Gida and Ganduje: The Firing of Unwarranted Political Salvos-Adamu Aminu

Published

2 months ago

April 9, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Successor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Adamu Aminu.

It is extremely disheartening to see how recently our two elder statesmen, the Kano state Governor, His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusif, politically known as Abba Gida-Gida, and his immediate predecessor, the ex-Kano and present APC National chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are busy exchanging salvos directly at each other.

The exchanges of verbal brawls through their spokesmen emanated shortly after Governor Abba Kabir Yusif inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry to investigate cases of misappropriation of public property, political violence, and missing persons from 2015 to 2019 to 2023.

It was unfortunate; all the accusations and counter-accusations from both sides were riddled with harsh and demeaning words, deemed unrepeatable and unworthy to come from our respected leaders who are beating chests of leading Kano, the state that has reached the zenith of political maturity in the whole nation.

I was automatically dumbfounded by how the exchanged salvos and political sarcasm were randomly so directed at each other, without revisiting the fact that history never lies; someday, posterity will judge them.

This comes at a time when the warring parties should set aside their differences and make Kano their concern and priority, but they resorted to opening the doors of all blackmailing arsenals at their disposal, overtly directed at each other, without knowing that their utterances and accusations are doing more harm than good to Kano state in general.

This came at a time when our counterpart States in the South, like Lagos, Rivers, and others, have already set politics aside and deeply engaged in the execution of developmental projects for their people, but Kano, a state of whole-tenure politics, is dragging feet towards the fulfillment of promises during electioneering campaigns.

At this time when most Kano industries are not functional, there is no portable water, unemployment, poverty, hunger, and thuggery clogging the wheels of Kano’s economic development, instead, they resorted to engaged in trading bitter words and pointing accusing fingers at themselves.

I think it’s time for our Excellency, the state governor Abba Kabir Yusif, and his predecessor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to wake up from their slumbers and stop demeaning themselves politically.

Trading accusations of one’s incompetence, docility, and another’s accusation of land grabbing and rat-like behavior is not the utmost priority for Kano populace.

It’s time to stop deceiving ourselves with the longstanding Kano praise “Kano Tumbin Giwa, Ko dame Kazo An Fika,” which means Kano, the melting pot, whatever you came along with, you’re far left behind. Kano state in this modern era deserves to be far from where it is now.

I do hope and pray that Governor Abba and his predecessor Ganduje make Kano and Kanawas their utmost priority. They are our role models, exchanging incendiary remarks with each other will show that politics isn’t only a dirty game, it’s a dirty war of raining curses and abuses.

They should know that someday around this time, they will be no more; only their legacies will make them immortal in the memory of Kano populace.