PETER OBI AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF OSONDI-OWENDI BY Celestine Kezie As I read through the flood of comments on social media trailing the recent defection of my mentor and colleague in the philosophical kindred, the former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, the philosophic gardfly in me just stung me to reflection, hence this piece. It was the legendary Anambra born late high life music maestro, Osita Osadebe who titled his ingenious song; Osondi owendi. For the sake of our brothers who do not understand Igbo language, I will attempt a translation but I must state quickly that the quidity of that song can only be savored within its original language. Permit me to attempt the translation in pidgin English. Osendi owendi thus translates; e dey sweet some people, e dey pepper some people. Having done that, I set out to say that Peters decision which has elicited osondioweistic emotions for some days now deserve logical appraisal owing to the fact that going by his track records and consistent display of moral rectitude, it is not only his antagonists that took exception at his decision to defect from APGA to PDP but also those who revere him as their role model. Let me state categorically that my concern is not to justify why Peter left for PDP, Valentine Obienyem has that as part of his job description. This piece is a just a response to disturbing calls and text messages from folks who know how fond of I am of Peter Obis way of life and thus would like to know my view. To start with, the fact that Peters defection generated such public reaction is an attestation to the fact that he was never a political simpleton neither was he not the face of APGA that people knew. Arguing from a logical perspective, I make bold to state that loyalty to any association is first and foremost, subject to an individuals interest and thereafter the interest of people that depend on him. It is unarguably true that most times the steps and direction we take in life help others who look up to us to define their own course in life. As for Peters love for APGA, no one protected the fate of APGA as much as Ojukwu and Peter did. It is right to say that Peter love Ndigbo first and foremost and then APGA in extension as a platform that advocate for the relevance of Ndigbo. Those who denied that Peter Obi was the face of APGA prior to the last election in Anambra state, would be guilty of contradiction if they criticise his defection. The point here is not about what transpired in APGA, its little of my concern here. Peter Obi as an APGA governor was openly supportive of the president. In his uncommon way of doing politics, he was never an opposition to federal government because there is absolutely no logical basis why someone should be antagonistic to another person merely because they do not share the same political platform. Those who mark other people bad for being where they are cannot logically refuse to accept if those other people refer to them as bad as well. It is only within the Lilliputian mindset of most politicians that the idea of if he is not in our party, he is a bad man and we shall have nothing to do with him, exists. Peters support for Mr. President unarguably attracted federal projects and goodwill to the South East Then also, as an Igbo man, it is bereft of logic to hold that APGA is an Igbo party and whoever leaves it for another parry is anti-Igbo. If is true (which it is not) how then can Ndigbo aspire for higher offices in the country on a platform of a supposed parochial party. APGA, likewise other political parties by virtue of their registrations are national parties that have stronghold within certain regions. Moreso, without any sense of disdain on the personality of any politician, I make bold to say that there are politicians within the rank and file of Igbo squad whose political ambitions and capacities can not go beyond governorship-National Assembly axis. Peter is not within this stock. Why? Because his bargaining power in politics is neither money nor godfather connection, he has the rare bargaining power that pays well, that is his INTERGRITY and PRACTICAL WISDOM. It is this rare attributes of him that has sailed him through the red sea of Nigerian politics. It is same also that has made him a global resource, hence he is invited across the globe to offer professional advice on how to run decent organisation and society. I wish to state at this point that Peter do not need the approval of social commentators and critics to earn the recognitions he is receiving. In fact, as an illustrious member of the philosophers kindred, he shares so much in Socrates unassuming personality. Story has it that socrates wife was nagging at him but he ignored her until she almost ran amok out of rage and poured water on the grand master and Socrates spontenously said After the thunder comes the rain. Peter do not have time to reply critics because for serious minded philosophers every minute is committed to raciocinative activity on how to solve social problems. Thus media verbal war is left for intellectually malnutritioned politicians whose essence is little more than keeping the polity warm with their useful noise and to give we in journalism stuffs to write about. To my friends who await my reply over Peters defection, I hereby state that until Peter gives me reason to be dissatisfied with his actions, am more inspired by his recent decision. The president need him to better Nigeria and he has moral obligation to answer that call of duty. The south East need him to bring more federal presence to the east, so he has to get closer ka onoro nso ebe ana-eke ya bu nku Ukwa. Those who still feel disappointed at his decision I call for more logical perspective from you if you were his fan before now, for those who were never his fans before now and are critical of his defection I commend you to keep faith in that Socrates wifes tutelage until you attain the apogee of your endeavour.
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 09:17:51 +0000