Fall of Nwodo

Okwesilieze Nwodo’s exit from the exalted office of National Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, was disgraceful . Nwodo saw himself as a tin god. He misapplied and arrogated powers to himself. To this end, he inadvertently and knowingly too, stepped on toes. From his home front to the national level, his enemies were numerous. Little wonder he did not  get  the sympathy of  many as he  drowned. His fall from the number one position of “Africa’s largest political party” is food for thought and teaches useful lessons. Our leaders should learn to watch their backs and, of course, how to play the game according to the rules.  Nwodo’s ouster,  one in many, provides political researchers opportunity to study and learn about the proverbial banana peel on the floor of the imposing WADATA plaza, the headquarters of PDP. Furthermore, as Nwodo’s seven months tenure was the shortest in the 13-year-history of PDP, it should be interesting to find out why the Igbo do not last in positions allocated to the South-East geo-political zone.

Anyanwu Chidiebere

Aba, Abia State.

The fall of Nwodo from  his exalted position  is unfortunate. The South-East should be wiser next time by ensuring that only people of character and integrity get  into public office. The reaction of the public to the removal of Nwodo and Ogbulafor doesn’t give cause for cheers. It was unlike the situation when Ebitu Ukiwe and Alozie Ogugbuaja were removed from office.  Nigerians cried foul play because they were wrongly punished. Those were the real men. They paid a price for their boldness and audacity.

Jide Owate,

Ajagba,Ondo State.

What transpired showed that Nwodo didn’t understand the politics of Nigeria. That is why he became a maverick overnight, accusing governors, and by extension, those who put him in that position, of being corrupt. He didn’t understand the number one law of power:  never  try to outshine the master, if you hope to attain the heights of power.

Alaehie .M. Chimezie,

Owerri,

Imo State.

The resignation  of  Nwodo as PDP national chairman on January 18, raises the following issues: will his ouster  end the “Ghana-Must Go” syndrome and overbearing  god-fatherism which have remained an unwritten principle in PDP?  Second, PDP has consistently justified that the party is a coalition of incompatibles, with only the irresistible lure of the Naira holding them together, thus making ideology a political orphan in its affairs. Third, Igbo enweze’’ (Igbo has no king) is a common saying in Igbo land. And that accounts for the high turnover in positions occupied by Igbo men. Check out Evan Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo  and others.  Yet it is surprising that it is the Igbo man that will pass a vote of no confidence or a resolution to pull down his kinsman. And when the politicians from the South-East had achieved their pull him down agenda in Abuja, they turn around to blame others.  But those who helped to pull Nwodo down should be wary too, as they may themselves  become sacrificial lambs.

Uche Sylva Ebere,

Owerri, Imo  State.

Nwodo’s case reminds one of the fate that befell  Evan Enwerem, Adolphus Wabara and Chuba Okadigbo- all former senate presidents. Igbo politicians should learn lessons  from the legacy of their progenitor, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the great Zik of Africa.  if they fail to learn,  the presidency  may continue to elude them. Nigeria needs  steadfast leaders.

Jonas Egem,

Owerri, Imo State

Gbagbo Versus the World

One is at a loss over the threat by the Ecowas member nations to oust Gbagbo through  military option if  peaceful  methods fail. I am yet to understand the motive behind this new found love to enthrone democracy in  that West African State. The big question I would like to ask the Ecowas leaders is how many of them  in this region were truly elected in a free and fair election? Ecowas must be careful not to inflame an already bad situation in a member state. The Ivorian crisis must be resolved through peaceful means. We must not, in the process of trying to install an elected president, waste innocent lives. We must not also, because of two men, destroy innocent lives and property. Peaceful means through dialogue remain the solution to the  power  tussle in Ivory Coast.

Ndubuisi Onyenandu,

Abakpa Nike, Enugu 

I share the view of Mike Akpan in his piece titled, “Less Preachment, More Action.”  That President Goodluck Jonathan has made free and fair elections a sing song is in character with Nigerian leaders who say what the people and world at large desire and would like to hear and not what is hidden in their minds. And if it is at all what is in their mind,  they become incapacitated by lack of political will and courage to confront challenges.  My conviction is that William Shakespeare had Nigerian leaders in mind when he,  in The Merchant of Venice said:  “if to do were easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces.”  Jonathan in his heart of hearts may wish to conduct a free, fair and credible elections in which a voter’s vote may count but forces around him may insist on maintaining the rigging machine.

Stephen Asuquo Udoh,

                                                                                                                                                       Shomolu, Lagos State.