Why Ndigbo should support Buhari’s re-election bid

Sir: There is an Igbo proverb that says “An adult does not sit and watch while the she goat suffers the pain of child birth tied to a post.” 2015, we Ndigbo failed to critically analyse the political permutation of the nation. We endorsed and followed former President Goodluck Jonathan pathologically in his re-election bid. We ended up where we are today, reducing our chances of being President of Nigeria 2023.

The same mistakes of 2015 are about to repeat itself. We have started following Atiku pathologically without critically analyzing the political permutation of 2019 election. Our actions if not addressed will reduce our chances of being president of Nigeria 2023 to zero.

Every objective political analysis knows that Buhari will be re-elected 2019. Even Atiku knows that he cannot win 2019 election. Why are we following him? Is it not better to tolerate another four years of Buhari instead of eight years of President Atiku.

Our only grudge against Buhari is on nepotism which is debatable. I am not concerned about who was appointed or not, my concern is project sited within the state orzone that will benefit the entire Ndigbo. A classical example was during former President Jonathan tenure Ndigbo were appointed/elected Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief of Army Staff etc.

Mention one single project sited within Igbo land during that tenure. Appointment benefits only the individual, appointee family members and friend not the entire community.

Buhari presently is constructing Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road, 2nd Niger Bridge that the government of Jonathan and all his Ndigbo appointees couldn’t do for six years. These projects when completed will benefit Ndigbo as a whole.

The argument Atiku is pushing forward is that he will restructure Nigeria. Atiku capitalised on the sensitivity of the issue turned it to his advantage by dancing to the gallery. For Nigeria to embark on true restructuring it must involve constitutional amendment. No single person can claim he can restructure Nigeria without 2/3 support of the states in the federation.

Another argument pushed forward by Buhari antagonist is that he was insensitive during the farmers/herdsmen crisis. Famers/herdsmen crisis is older than any one of us living in the present Nigeria. The politician capitalised on the fact that farmers are mostly Christian and herdsmen mostly Muslims to politicised already existing crisis. 80% of the killings are politically motivated. It is not farmers/herdsmen crisis. For this crisis to end it must be a collective decision. Every hand must be on deck. It must not be left for Mr. President or Security agents. We must de-politicize the crisis in order to get it right.

My fellow Ndigbo, let’s not repeat the mistake of 2015, Buhari is going to win 2019 election. It is better for us to tolerate Buhari for another four years than Atiku for another eight years. Buhari is a man of integrity and credibility; he will never abuse our common wealth. Buhari is running the affairs of this country with 40% of what other President used but he is able to achieve what he has done because of his prudence. It is very difficult to get another Buhari in our generation.
Dr. Rom Okekearu is national coordinator, Ndigbo for Buhari 2019.