2027: The Politics Of Tolerance -By Ugochukwu Afuba

It’s that time of the year again. That time when promises, realistic and unrealistic, ring like bells from different poles of the regions. Another election cycle. By January 2027, the Nigerian people will elect another president, a president who will govern over 200 million people for the next four (4) years. INEC has already opened the campaign season, intensifying the volume of these promises.

2027 promises to be an interesting one. There are three top candidates; President Tinubu, Peter Obi, and Atiku. After the election, only one of them will be declared president, and as usual, election tribunals will be everywhere. Another time for lawyers to make good cash.

Since independence in 1960, only two Igbo men have occupied the highest office in the country. First, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1963, though the presidency at the time was largely ceremonial, and Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi in 1966 as military Head of State. So, it has been 60 years since someone from the Southeast last served as Nigeria’s Head of State or President. With that fact established, it would be impossible, and to some, unfair, to discuss 2027 without mentioning the need for an Igbo presidency. It is understandable.

For a country like Nigeria, with over 250 ethnic groups and several dynamic cultures, it is only fair to ensure broad representation. It is true that every region cannot have a president at once. Besides, we have the federal character principle and the National Assembly. These institutions attempt to promote representation in their own ways. Even still, when a region holds power for too long, other regions may feel left out. Do not get me wrong, I am not trying to argue that tribe or region should be a major factor in evaluating who should be president. But in the words of a former presidential aspirant, “Enye ndi ebe a, enye ndi ebe a”, give everyone their turn, give everyone their share.

It was completely necessary for me to establish the above premise because of the later content of this article. Former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, an Igbo man, is one of the prominent contenders in the 2027 election. His candidacy has attracted significant support in the Southeast and even beyond. Some analysts argue that he resonates particularly with young Nigerians. Truly, Mr. Peter Obi provides hope for some Nigerians. According to him, a new Nigeria is POssible. He has his supporters, just as the other candidates do.

History teaches us that Ndi Igbo are egalitarian. Aside from that, we have a deep sense of brotherhood irrespective of political differences. In the Second Republic, Ekwueme was Vice-President under the NPN while Nwobodo was Governor of Anambra State under the NPP. Their parties were political opponents, and Ekwueme’s growing influence in Anambra and the NPN-NPP relationship created serious political tension with Nwobodo. Nwobodo at one point wanted the NPN-NPP accord terminated. Yet Nwobodo later gave a remarkably clear account of their relationship. He said that despite their political disagreements, they remained friends personally, and that Ekwueme and his wife played important roles in his family life. In 1994, Ekwueme even chaired the gathering of political leaders across party lines at Nwobodo’s wedding.

Recently, I learnt about Asika from my Dad. Ukpabi Asika was an Igbo man who opposed Biafran secession. He remained on the Federal side during the Civil War and was appointed by the Gowon government in 1967 to administer the East Central State, the very heartland of Biafra. His position was therefore an uncomfortable one. To many of his fellow Igbo who had fought for Biafra, Asika represented the Federal government that had defeated their cause, and his administration initially existed under a cloud of deep suspicion. But history took an interesting turn in January 1970. When the war ended and Biafra ceased to exist, it was Asika who was entrusted with the task of administering and rebuilding the devastated East Central State. His post-war administration placed considerable emphasis on reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction. He did not treat former Biafrans as permanent enemies; many were reintegrated into the civil service and public life. Contemporary accounts also document Asika’s reluctance to dismiss large numbers of civil servants who had worked on the Biafran side. (dukespace.lib.duke.edu)

That is the true spirit of the Igbo man. We fight fiercely politically, yet still come together after all is said and done to dine and merry as brothers.

The present political situation seems to be a little different. Or at least, some people are trying to make it different. Obidients, as they call themselves, have, in most cases, developed a strong hatred and disdain for anyone who disagrees with their principal, even on the slightest issue. If you are Igbo, then I am sorry for you because you automatically become Judas, a traitor. Some of them may tell you that they do not care about an Igbo presidency, that they only care about good governance, which Obi will offer. What a hoax! It is understandable for you to say that he is an Igbo man who is competent enough to be president and, given the need for an Igbo president, he should be supported. Even if you say so, INEC confirms 18 presidential candidates for 2027 of which four are Ndi Igbo, meaning a Nigerian may choose to support any of them. The Constitution protects citizens’ freedom of association, including political association. Why, then, does it become an abomination for some Obidients if a fellow Igbo person does not support Peter Obi?

From their point of view, Obi is infallible and anyone who disagrees with him is evil. They will crucify you.

I am not trying to discredit Mr. Peter Obi in any way. It is known by many that he performed well in public service. He tried. The point I am trying to make, rather, is that no one should become a bad person simply because he or she does not support Peter Obi. Some others may tell you that Nigerians are suffering, that they are sick and tired of this Tinubu government. I do not disagree with them on this, but who says Mr. Peter Obi is the only Jesus who will save Nigerians? Speaking of Jesus, Omoyele Sowore, the AAC presidential candidate, has also had prolonged confrontations with different governments in power. He has been a voice for the voiceless, a radical human rights activist, and has sacrificed a lot for Nigerians. He fits better as a “Jesus” figure than Obi.

Just like religion, some people become too emotional when it comes to this discussion. Discussion? No. There is no discussion at all if you are not supporting Obi. You are anti-Obi, and you are evil. Sometimes, I wonder if some people lose their right sense of reasoning because of politics. When did Ndi Igbo have a general meeting and agree that Peter Obi is the only candidate cleared to contest? We must be objective. I do not even want to go into the sickening hypocrisy of some Obidients. I have a friend, assuming she still sees me as one, whom I have known and assisted in ways I can for a while now. She identifies as an “Obidient” and hits me hard unnecessarily whenever I disagree with Obi online. She, and many other Obidients, go on to throw various kinds of insults at me while intentionally avoiding the substance of the matter.

For instance, Peter Obi running to catch his flight is praised because he seems fit. Amaechi ran round a stadium in Port Harcourt and was called performative. Sowore completed a 10-kilometre race in Enugu and was branded SUG President. Since running and fitness lifestyles are now taken into consideration when deciding who makes a good leader, why not give everyone the same praise? A perspicacious observer notices the standards. You see how Nigerians switch positions and show hypocrisy? Laughable!

A new Nigeria is indeed possible, but setting double standards and practising political intolerance is not the way forward. Nigerians and Ndi Igbo must learn to be politically tolerant. It is not a sin to disagree with any candidate, and that choice must be respected. It may interest you to know that despite all I have written, Mr. Peter Obi is my preferred candidate, but he should not be placed beyond criticism. That is my point. It does not absolve him of constructive criticism. A good leader must listen and learn from the people he wants to lead. Nobody knows it all, and no camp has a monopoly on accountability. If we must go forward as a nation, then we must equally scrutinise our presidential candidates. It is ineluctable. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

Someday, we will have an Igbo president who is up to the task.

Ugochukwu Afuba is a patriotic Nigerian.