SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI, THE NEW CBN HONCHO?

Once again, it suited them and the phraseology is that "Sanusi is not responsible for enforcing federal character principle"? With this sarcastic remark, and acting in accordance to an Arewa template, the midget of Oturkpo and Nigeria Senate president, David Mark stifled all reasonable effort made by Senator Ikechukwu Obiora to question the qualifications of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for the job of governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; as well as the concentration of nearly every other juicy and choice positions in the north? Senator Ikechukwu Obiora just wanted to know whether federal character principle is now dead in Nigeria but David Mark will not let him, being part of the northern conspirators?

This latest appointment was in crass disregard to the tripod arrangement-based federal character principle, whereby appointments in Nigeria are made to reflect evenly on the diversified geographical entities comprised therein? This is the existing understanding of all Nigerians, upon which the country had held together all these years despite all manners of provocations, intimidation, discrimination and outright brigandage by a certain section of the polity. It was based on this arrangement that David Mark even found himself occupying the Nigerian senate presidency? What he didn't say during his ascendancy to the senate president is now ok; just because he is from the north and his Arewa Consultative Forum decreed so? Icheoku says it is a big joke, the entity called Nigeria; and its politics, a mere northern convenience of "when it suits them"? But we must acknowledge, albeit reluctantly, that the northerners are the most savvy, adroit and astute political group of people in Nigeria; and they are good at homogenising their viewpoints and objectives. Simply stated, they are political professionals? But regrettably, the Igbos of Nigeria are still playing in the minor league of Nigeria politics, awaiting possible elimination, unless they fine-tune their politics and very soon, too!

How did this happen that Chukwuma Soludo lost out in this power-struggle with the north; and why was pressure not mounted by every right thinking sons and daughters, east of the Niger to avert this aberration and save Soludo's job? Why did the people not rise up in unison, in support of the lone-effort of Senator Ikechukwu Obiora to checkmate this shameless arrogation of all that is something to themselves, by the northerners? Where was Ike Ekweremadu or is his vice presidency of the senate merely titular? Where was Oha-n-eze? Where were the five governors of the South East? Where was oxygen-nose Vincent Ogbulafor, the ceremonial chairman of the PDP? Or was he not a disciple of the all powerful former chairman, 1978 Ali Must Go? Where were everybody, anybody and even somebody that Soludo was left alone in this fight, high and dry, before finally succumbing inside the belly of the beast? He was literally speaking, chewed and spit out by the authorities in Aso Rock? Peradventure, power will someday shift and Icheoku will like to see these mallams, especailly the midget of Oturkpo, David Mark complain about any federal character principle

For the umpteenth time, Icheoku wants to reiterate that we do not have any beef with governor Sanusi. We are merely pointing at the oddity that is Nigeria; and how some people from certain parts of the country are toying with the collective psyche of all Nigerians, especially their continuing to see themselves as one people? The issue of federal character has been rubbished drastically under DV President Umaru Yar'Adua's government and this is what is ticking us off on the wrong side; just in case you must know? Also it will interest you to note that Sanusi, 47, is the son of a former emir of Kano, and a graduate of economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also studied Arabic and Islamic Studies at the International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan between 1991 and 1997; thus "qualifying highly" for the coveted governorship of the Central Bank of Nigeria? When compared with the first class brain, PhD in economics fellow, that he just replaced, then you get an idea on why Icheoku is raving mad?

But be that as it may and in deference to what now is and has become, Icheoku appreciates the tone so far set by Sanusi and pray he will live up to his words. We like his observation that "he will consolidate the gains of both the fiscal and monetary policies of his predecessor in office. That he shall build on Soludos legacies to further restore public confidence in the banking sector". We noticed that Sanusi poured encomiums on Soludo, stating "I think this country should thank him for a tremendous work job well done. I think he was a very good governor. I think the CBN under his leadership has improved more. I think he has established a foundation on which we are to build." Icheoku says, unlike a typical Nigerian, Sanusi also acknowledged the lasting legacy for the banking sector left by Soludo; and for this, we particularly appreciate him for being so magnanimous, in a Nigerian society of near-total "bring-him-down" syndrome? We must say that it is very unusual for a Nigerian to say good complimentary things about his predecessor in office; for this, we commend Sanusi while stating, what a fresh start and a breath of Caribbean air his statements are?

The Central bank of Nigeria governor Sanusi further observed, that Nigeria "is a country where we do not have linkages. And because of the absence of linkages, we don’t have economic growth. We produce gas and export it, we do not have power plant. We produce crude oil, we import refined petroleum products. If we can set up power plant, set up our refineries, their multiplier effects on the economy and on growth is amazing, and if we don’t do that we cannot grow. The small scale industry that we talk about cannot survive without power". Icheoku says, this summation is simply brilliant and hopefully, the Generators-Mafia of Nigeria will allow him have his way to persuade President Umaru Yar'Adua to turn the page and declare his power emergency? Again, we extend our congratulations to Sanusi, on his new dig! All hail the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria!