APC SAYS NO TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

Icheoku says a united, more functional Nigeria would always be a much preferred option than a balkanized Nigeria. Therefore, any effort geared at strengthening the country, by ironing out all those identifiable kinks afflicting it and which in turn, turns Nigeria into a more working country that works for every Nigerian, such as the proposed National Conference, should be welcomed excitedly by every Nigerian. Admitted that internally generated pent-up pressure, which has been threatening to consume the country over the many years of its existence, has made the option of balkanizing Nigeria seem an attractive proposition. But the tempting allure notwithstanding, a nation is stronger when it is big, both in human and natural resources; and fortunately enough, Nigeria commands both this two assets and would be much better off remaining glued together. Therefore, provided the purpose and mandate of the National Conference is to explore and address Nigeria's numerous problems, with a view to finding acceptable solutions and resolutions, to that extent does Icheoku endorse and support it. 

It is with this background in mind and the fact that millions of other Nigerians are joyous at this great opportunity to finally meet and have a conversation about their wellness, that Icheoku was taken aback when the APC's bank-roller, owner and paymaster, Bola Tinubu, came out screaming "Holy macro and NO to the CONFAB." Icheoku was primarily surprised that a self-professed democrat would have any beef to grind with a very democratic process which would allow people to meet and discuss their problems. Icheoku asks, would Bola Tinubu and his APC prefer that Nigeria rather boils over because of suspicions and fears than for the people to first seek possible solutions in a dialogue to their itching problems? Would APC and Bola Tinubu prefer war war instead of jaw jaw? Icheoku asks Bola Tinubu, what is wrong in having a conversation and thrashing out matters injurious to a one united Nigeria such as areas of perceived conflicts? Icheoku says the world of Nigerians were expecting a more articulate Bola Tinubu to be a cheer leader of such epochal step at harmonizing Nigeria but definitely not the highly over-partisan APC Bola Tinubu that is trying to throw spanner in the works of the National Conference. Nigerians, disappointed that they couldn't see the more rational Bola Tinubu they had expected, turned and looked to see if there is any more level-headed APC membership to redirect Bola Tinubu on the merits of the conference and the futility of his one-man opposition mission. But unfortunately all they could see were a party membership that bowed and trembled before Bola Tinubu and who were forced to fall in line with the NO-TO-THE-CONFAB position of their master. Icheoku says it is indeed regrettable that the cowering APC membership, in unison, chorused alongside their mentor to reject the confab. 

It is also noteworthy that Chris Ngige, who is running for the governorship of Anambra State is part of this REJECT-THE-CONFAB motley crew operating under APC moniker. Icheoku says, if you are still looking for a reason to reject Ngige as governor of Anambra State, you just found one. Please Anambra people, do not vote for APC's Ngige as his party's rejection of the Confab is another anti-Igbo action by them. The Igbo people are looking forward to the Confab's platform as a God sent opportunity to finally address so many injustices meted to them, many of which are still continuing till date, by both the Nigerian state and other Nigerians. Chris Ngige and his APC said NO TO the CONFAB and he still wants to be governor of an Igboland heartland first state? It does not make sense nor is it reconcilable that APC which does not like the Igbos nor care for traditional institution they hold high, will now want to be handed over an Igbo main state, Anambra? Anambra State Igbos, Icheoku urges you to speak up and speak loudly on November 16, 2013 and with your votes exclaim ANYBODY BUT NGIGE.

Icheoku asks what is Bola Tinubu, the man who owns, runs and micro-manages APC with iron fist, smoking this time around that he rejected what majority of Nigerians have been clamoring for and for so many years, and which they are happy that their prayers were finally answered? Apparently Bola Tinubu must be out of his mind or high on some mind-altering barbiturates not to appreciate the mistake of his current very minority position on the merit of the National Conference. It is obvious that the Prince of Isale-Eko has overreached himself with his anti-Confab position and thereby challenged a very high majority of Nigerians into doing a battle over their much awaited and very welcomed conference. Icheoku says by castigating and rejecting a process that would x-ray and resolve areas of conflict among Nigerians, Bola Tinubu shot himself on the foot and is now limping in clutches in Nigeria political estate? How dare him? Icheoku says Bola Tinubu is certainly out of sync with the yearnings and aspirations of high majority of Nigerians with his position on the conference and therefore he must have a rethink if he still wants to retain some relevancy among those Nigerians still enjoying their freedom from his clutches and who are not under his slave-master's vice grip command and control, atypical of APC controlled Yoruba Southwest states.

Icheoku says other than mischief, the civilian draconian-dictator and self-effusing infallible owner of APC, by saying NO to a thing which its time had since come and which majority of rational Nigerians, without any other ulterior agenda, are rooting for, has nothing else to anchor this rejection on. Icheoku says Bola Tinubu is simply a rabble rouser, who like the spoilt brat he is and who continually feels so much entitled and disturbs the peace of everybody whenever he is not getting and having his way, is now against something he was previously for. In America, they term his type flip floppers; and you would recall John Kerry who voted for a bill before he voted against it or Mitt Romney who was for RomneyCare before he became against ObamaCare? Bola Tinubu's disorder is that he is not dictating to everyone in Nigeria like he does with his APC controlled Yoruba Southwestern Nigeria. Atypical of maniacs, his conquering of Yoruba Southwest is no longer enough and now he wants the entire Nigerian territory as his private fiefdom to dictate his will to? And if he cannot have his way, he would rather undermine the country by rejecting a process that would make Nigeria stronger?

There is strength in numbers both economically and politically. Number of mouths needing nutrition and bodies that need to be clothed is important as world businesses look at such data with a prospect of profitability before making their investment moves. If in doubt look at how China or India are courted by the world just for a piece of their markets. Enemies will also think twice before taking on a big country and then the always present opportunity that from the many, it is easier for one to rise as that person whom the country has been waiting for to take the country to lofty heights. Icheoku says the only reason anyone in any kind of relationship sometimes wants out is usually for lack of comfort continuing in or going forward with that relationship. So now that Nigerians have agreed to sit down and discuss their misgivings against each other and among themselves, why would any well-meaning Nigerian patriot not give it a chance of succeeding and thereafter act on the outcome however he may deem or see fit. But for anyone including APC's owner Bola Tinubu, at the present infancy stage of the Confab process, to start sabotaging the process either with comments or action, Icheoku finds it regrettable. 

Icheoku says it is not only presumptuous but irrational and unpatriotic for Bola Tinubu and his APC to reject the National Conference, an honest attempt at objectively discussing and resolving amicably areas of conflicts and disputations affecting Nigeria's survival as an entity. Talking is always better and cheaper than warring. On this final note, Icheoku reiterates support for the National Conference and hereby calls on Bola Tinubu and his APC to have a rethink of their ill-thought out position rejecting the prospect. They should instead accept and participate in a process that is geared towards making Nigeria a much stronger and more functional place for all Nigerians to continue to live peacefully together and in harmony. Therefore Nigerians must in unison reject Bola Tinubu's APC latest antic to just stay headlined with their narrow minded, pigeonholed and shallow political dart thrown across the political bow of the other party through their rejection of a conference which more than 75% of Nigerians are for. The conference is not about the president nor his party but a forum for Nigerians to vent their misgivings against one another with a view to finding lasting super-glue to apply to the cracks that is widening on the country's structural integrity to keep it going and going until God knows when.