I was a tiny little boy at Government College Umuahia in 1999 when
Orji Uzor Kalu began his first reign as the Governor of Abia state. It
was after years of military bastardization of the country's economy and
an uninterrupted looting spree by its evil-minded officers, just after
the 'heavenly' intervention that led to the death of Nigeria's most
notorious thief, Sani Abacha.
The atmosphere for a democratic system of government was at most
cheering, expectant, and very accommodating with many Nigerians
believing that the return to democracy would erase decades of satanic
leadership from the men in boots. It is over 20 years ago, and here I am
a sad grown man writing about someone who governed my state while I was
still a little boy, now harbouring political desires to rule the
nation. Sadly, since the exile of the military from the helms of our
political and economic affairs, we have witnessed little or no change.
The faint memories I have of Orji Kalu are not that bad. I could
remember coming out of the school gate in my pink shirt, brown short
with brown sandals, brown belt, and school bag, seeing a long white bus
conveying hundreds of students free of charge all the way from Umudike
through, National Root Crops Research Institute, then Government
College, Ofeke to Umuahia main town. It was a sight to behold as smiles
on their faces could not hide the joy of such a gift. There were also
road constructions in Abia state, and he was very popular at the time,
young and desirous to work. Truth be told, his reign was not that
spectacular.
Examining the political and moral credentials of Orji Uzor Kalu,
putting into perspective the changing political dynamics, it is quite
safe to say he is formidable but flawed. He has an obese wealth of
political experience having served as a two-time governor and now
senator. He has the financial muscle to blow our ears away with his
campaigns across the 36 states of the federation, even Abuja. Such is
his envious political resume that supporters recently besieged him
asking him to declare for the presidency in 2023.
Honestly, I believe Kalu shouldn't waste his money on campaigns
trying to please sycophants urging him to run for president in 2023.
Being a two-time governor and now senator is enough privilege in his
exasperating political career. It will be a chase after the wind for him
to heed the call of desperate people and waste his time, energy, and
resources on a campaign that is dead on arrival.
Of course, he has political reach outside the south and can boast
of few political allies; but there are myriads of problems confronting
him should he dare declare for president in 2023.
Kalu has a serious corruption case hanging on his neck after
serving as Abia state governor for 8 years. To be honest, many people
still consider him guilty even after the Supreme Court ruling. He is
alleged to have stolen N7.1billion from Abia state treasury for which he
was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison by a High Court
before the Supreme Court nullified the prison sentence.
Interestingly, the Supreme Court based its judgment on the fact
that Justice Mohammed Idris who sentenced Kalu to 12 years imprisonment
had already become a Justice in the Court of Appeal, so should not have
sat at the High Court to entertain Kalu's case. The Supreme Court after
nullifying the sentence, ordered a retrial. The curious part is that all
the evidence used to nab Kalu by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission leading to his conviction by the High Court are still intact
and incontrovertible. So, should the case come up again, it is likely to
follow the same process that led to his earlier conviction.
This
baggage is too heavy for someone who wants to be the first Igbo
President since the fourth republic. In saner climes, a sensible man
would forego his political ambition to clear his name, especially on an
allegation that is troubling.
Even if he brushes aside the corruption burden hanging on his head,
the next curious question is: which party is going to give him ticket
to run for president in 2023? I will bet one of my balls that the All
Progressives Congress will not give its presidential slot to Orji Kalu.
The political weather in Nigeria today, considering what happened in Edo
state is a pointer to the fact that the ruling party will not want to
risk losing power come 2023, as such will not want to give its
presidential slot to someone who has corruption case hanging over his
head. However, if he decides to use another platform other than the APC
or the Peoples Democratic Party, his presidential ambition will suffer
instant acute paralysis.
Kalu is aware that in a time like this, numbers are more important
than money. Any politician desirous of fulfilling his or her political
ambition to become Nigeria's president must declare under the two big
parties in Nigeria or form an alliance with the big parties, anything
less is just a mere dream. Kalu knows this and that is why the likes of
Sowore, Mogalu and all these new breed of politicians who seem different
from the old political hags have continued to fail because the Nigerian
masses do not care about their resume or what they have to offer, but
prefer to follow the big political parties sheepishly. Getting APC's
presidential slot is another herculean task that will hamper Kalu's 2023
ambition.
Considering APC's performance in the last 5 years, Nigerians are
obviously tired of the party. The unending promises that never were
fulfilled have brought Nigerians untold hardship with people complaining
bitterly over their decision to vote President Muhammadu Buhari as
president. The bloodshed by bandits, Boko Haram, and herdsmen all over
the country is a turnoff even to his most hardcore supporters. His
inability to end the spilling of the innocent blood of our people by
Boko Haram terrorists/bandits, the massive corruption in his government,
and the crippling cost of living have turned fans of the administration
to foes. It is going to be a hard year for APC come 2023 to bring out
someone of Buhari's calibre, and for the life of it, Kalu is not that
person.
I believe the reward for a political position should be measured by
performance and not who has the biggest pocket. However, the awkward
trend of putting people with big pockets ahead of our every political
aspiration has always backfired leaving the masses in a cesspit of
unending penury. That is why I believe should Kalu go-ahead to declare
for the 2023 presidency, it will be a disaster for the chances of the
Igbos to ascend the number one position in the land, at a time everyone
knows it is there turn.
Ndigbo should open their eyes wide and search for the right man.
Come as one and not allow the stupid idea of fronting 10 Igbo candidates
in 2023 which breeds disunity. Let the old politicians go, bring in
trailblazers who are capable of effecting real change for the benefit of
all. Had Kalu come with no baggage, I am certain that he would have
stood a very good chance of becoming President in 2023.
I love Kalu and harbour no ill-feeling towards him, but in 2023 he is not the man to lead the Igbos in Aso Rock.
Alexander Thandi Ubani writes from Lagos.
He's a journalist.
thandiubani@yahoo.com
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