X-RAYING TAMBUWAL’S PREDICAMENT: THE IHEDIOHA’S CONNECTION Linda Nneji That Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Sokoto-born lawmaker and Speaker, Nigeria’s House of Representatives, defected to the main opposition party, All progressives Congress (APC) which is in minority in the House and therefore stands as an affront to the biggest party in Africa; has remained a source of household controversies and a major political disturbance. Mr Tambuwal’s predicament springs from the fact of self improvement ambition but more overtly from his unalloyed loyalty to the Northern Oligarchies with the unbridled hegemonic propagandists’ syndrome. This god and ideal is perhaps what he worships otherwise, how could he subscribe to the APC idea? When did the courtship start? If he has not been involved ab initio with the activities of APC, how come he could not distance himself from the enchantments? One may think he was carried away by the discordant chanting of ‘APC for change’ but wait a minute, the gentleman has been a legislator and eventually a speaker, what type of change could he not have brought to bear? If the hardcore Northerner believed and loved the PDP that gave him everything, why did he not save the state of his nativity from falling into the hands of overambitious founding fathers of APC? There is a disturbing felonic twist to the whole scenario. Could it be that somebody all these while has been the ‘lupus in fibula’ hiding pretentiously under chameleonic indifferences while dealing the country and her leading political party a blow below the belt thus, paving the way for the eventual crossover. Flimsy excuses do not exculpate nor exonerate. Mr. Aminu Tambuwal knew the odds of swimming against the tide and most of all, neglecting the counsels of the ever-wise and relevant Emeka Ihedioha. Politics is a science and not a sheepish belief of an unjustifiable ideology. The stand point and start off premise of the APC is very wrong and Tambuwal’s association with this is a wrong course at least from the federal characterization policy and interest. If Nigeria must remain one indivisible entity, then, inclusivity and tolerance must be entrenched. The APC threatens this national prudential sentiment and lacks the co-operation needed in the advancement of the adolescent Nigerian democracy. Joining this confraternity at the threshold of a critical election period could be seen as tantamount to sabotage and betrayal, an action least expected of a speaker of the parliament. Never outshine the master as Robert Greene would say just as biting or spitting the finger that feed one is an unpardonable offence in Africa for respect they say is reciprocal. Did Tambuwal consult with his former boss Emeka Ihedioha as regards his intentions and decisions? Having faltered in this wise, Niccolo Machiavelli would suggest a total crushing of the perceived and impending enemy. It is either Mr Tambuwal has been sponsoring some outlandish blackmail and libel against the person of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha by printing posters and fliers to associate the later with some morbid APC-Tambuwal presidential bid so as to elicit some sympathetic affectation at the full orchestration of the Northern-Hegemonical propaganda or the works of some detractors meant to insinuate a psychological precipitation and pejorative presidential bias. Thanks to an inborn trait of indefatigability ever radiant in the mind of Chief Emeka Ihedioha. Their plans failed to achieve their evil machinations. Instead, it has now enhanced the ascendance and patronage of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha both in the Presidency, Party and indeed the House of Representatives and the national working committee of the great PDP. What a feat for a man to be of centrifugal importance? To the extent, that no type of inner caucus meeting no matter how confidential, can take place around the Seat of Power without the Deputy Speaker. Political borders and sentiments apart, if the truth must be told according to its worth as Norman Vincent Pearle would advice; ever since the times of Nnamdi Azikiwe the legend, no Igbo man has become so important and valuable in the highest political circles as Emeka Ihedioha is now. No igboman has been so trusted, respected honoured and valued like Chief Emeka Ihedioha is now in the vast Nigerian politics. There comes yet another star of the east. Let no one be deceived, Rt. Hon chukwuemeka Nkem Ihedioha is not just a man of the moment but he is the bride and pride of consistent and loyal politics. Again this is almost the first time an Igbo man has been so respected and accepted irrespective of ethnic nationalistic differences. To this buttress the choicest political fortunes smile at him and he has become the envy of other aspirants for Imo gubernatorial position. Also why is it that his aura has blossomed tenfold, imagine, before he sneezes now so many catch real cold. Why the libel and calumny against the person of chief Ihedioha? They are the frantic efforts of the disgruntled towards smearing his hard-earned reputation and success. Honestly speaking, Chief Emeka Ihedioha is the man to beat in this contest as it appears. The Food Science Technology graduate of University of Lagos, has not uttered a word but Tambuwal and the NWC of APC joined him in an affidavit at the federal high court as a threat. why? As against some mindless detractors calling on the Deputy Speaker to resign or be impeached because of an erstwhile political connection with Alhaji Tambuwal, Chief Ihedioha is world apart from the defectors and has been diametrically at odds with the sinister plans of the APC. This call is not only incoherent but coercive suppression and intimidation of the Deputy Speaker who, as a founding member of PDP, remained loyal and committed to the ideals of the party even when there seemed no hope for him. How can he identify with a course he knows next to nothing about? The malicious plan is preposterous and preponderant and I dare say, that Chief Emeka can never be intimidated neither would he yield to such. The House Speaker’s predicament is entirely his and his alone; just as he appreciates that Hon. Emeka is not and will never be in his league. Tambuwal knows he has spitted his mother platform, PDP, a mistake he would live to regret.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:42:54 +0000