Op-ed
Biafra: Stop your Social Media Vituperations, Cursing, Grand standing and Join Me to Educate Others
I, like many other Igbos have stood on the side lines for far too long, wishing this Biafran breeze fizzles away, but it’s now dangerously turning into a major storm that constitutes an existential threat to Igbo civilization as we know it. Those of you IPOBians, Sympathizers, Rumour Mongers, Facebook Warriors, Facebook megastars, Opinion Leaders and Propagandists escalating the already tense situation must understand that in the end, you’ll all be losers, victims and at the same time in more bondage than you ever were. Not my wish anyway, but the perceptible reality. No war ever got won by emotions. Preparation and strategy does, ask any battle-tested soldier. Even the best of them get eaten. Little by little you guys are doing everything possible to attract avoidable conflict to our region hoping that the international community will intervene. You’ll be in for a shocker when this meal you’ve cooked for so long is served up.
Understand this, I have monitored many revolutionary conflicts around the world and know this for a fact, the international community foot-drags at less than a snail pace, if at all, before attempting any interventions in internal conflicts in a sovereign nation and that includes America and Israel you’re hoping on. War is a huge liability and no Country wants to meddle. The best they give these days are reliefs not military aids and that is after many must have died including those who started the fire. I watched it happen to Libyans, Yemenis, Syrians and till now they still don’t have peace. Besides, you’d be stupid to believe that those countries, if ever there is any, promising to support Nnamdi Kanu are really in for it. Some of them want to use him to initiate conflict and sell their weapons to both sides and make blood dollars. War is an all-comers affair and all kinds of demonically vicious players come to the slimy field to play the hellish game of blood and death.
I watched it happen to Libyans, Yemenis, Syrians and till now they still don’t have peace.
In this case, Boko Haram that has largely been caged by the army will break free to roam with ambitions to finally establish their Caliphate across Nigeria, all because the Army now fighting on two fronts can no longer concentrate on them having become too stretched. Guess what, they’ll come with ISIS on their back. Nigerian Army will be fighting to keep Nigeria together on one front, Boko Haram (ISIS Nigerian Branch) with Caliphatist ambition on the other and Biafra with secessionist ambition on yet another front.
That was how Syria got so complex till date and any war in Nigeria today will have a similar picture. Whoever gets overwhelmed will face the other. It will be a long and difficult journey and unlike the first civil war without Boko Haram in the equation, no one can predict the tortuous end. Other Jihadists from across Africa and Middle-East will join in as they always do wherever there’s instability to advance their different brands of Islam. In the end you’ll leave Nigeria and discover you’re fighting other strangers you don’t even know how they came into the picture.
Libyans thought they were fighting Ghaddafi but after Ghaddafi, they discovered other strangers fighting them to establish their different brands of Islam.
The big boys (international players) like Iran will be there to get there pound of flesh from Nigeria in revenge for the Shiites, Saudi will be there to defend Nigeria, and all will play. Weapons merchants will the start smiling to the banks. Guess where the theatre of war would be, Igboland. We must not allow this! Libyans thought they were fighting Ghaddafi but after Ghaddafi, they discovered other strangers fighting them to establish their different brands of Islam. Same thing in Syria. The words of Saif Al Islam Ghaddafi (Ghaddafi’s first son) keeps ringing in my ears as he forewarned Libyans of these grim possibilities, but okuko nti ike nánu ife n’ite ofe. I never took him seriously at the time but in retrospect, I now see he knew better because it panned out just as he predicted and Libya still isn’t out of the woods.
That’s the way it is these days of jihad consciousness across the world. If you ever experience war, you’ll never take peace for granted. War is not a movie as some of you think. You could be the first victim. Can you stomach watching your loved ones maimed, killed, raped, tortured, starve to death under slow and painful circumstances? Those are the grim realities of war and in Africa, it is executed with luciferous savagery and psychopathic sadism. The worst of peace is still better than the best of wars.
Funny enough, most of our chest-beating IPOBians will likely die off within the first month or two of the conflict leaving those who knew nothing or are on the sidelines to defend themselves. There will be nowhere to run to as no country in West Africa will agree to accept the ocean-sized volume of refugees. When the Rwandan genocide was looming, everyone was running his mouth until the death hurricane they courted so hard swept across their country, they wailed and shouted for international community to intervene but none came. That’s the way it is. Paul Kagame, their current President it was who ended it. And they vowed to “never again”. They learnt from history and have completely removed tribalism from every facet of national life and are admirably making astounding progress as one of Africa’s best.
On one occasion Kanu bragged that it would take him only two weeks to reach Sokoto in the event of war. I don’t know what weapons and extra-terrestrial strategies he has to execute that.
My advice, agreed, Buhari hasn’t treated us as well as we wanted, but wait till 2023 and make amends. I have listened to Nnamdi Kanu on several videos and my conclusion is that he is plain naive on how things roll in a conflict situation. On one occasion he bragged that it would take him only two weeks to reach Sokoto in the event of war. I don’t know what weapons and extra-terrestrial strategies he has to execute that. War is an unpredictable undertaking that you’ll be ignorant to estimate which direction it goes. As it is, he has no weapons just yet and is bragging. Many of you believe him and even ascribe infallibility to his words. I have lived a couple of years abroad and what some of you don’t know is that many of our people there egging you on don’t have immigration papers and are praying for an outbreak of hostilities in Nigeria so they can claim asylum on the back of it.
We must advise ourselves on this current path of self-annihilation. Some of you think Biafra will be the end of all your problems, so South Sudan thought, as did Eritrea, but sorry it will be the beginning of new ones. Now take this to the Bank, it will even be far more difficult for any country to touch any conflict here with a long spoon than it was in the sixties. Reason? Then there was the prospect of oil but today oil is out of fashion and even as it is, Nigeria is begging for buyers and nobody’s buying. Osinbajo said that much a few days back. Now, tell me, if they spend their money intervening in your conflict to save your asses, what will they get in return? The best they can do for you is to condemn what is going on, then more out-pouring of condemnations and then more unleashing of floodgates of condemnations, but NO ACTION while you die in numbers.
You often argue that a call for referendum is not a call for war. I agree completely! Very true! Referendum is a right not a privilege. Even Buhari asserted that much in favour of Palestine when he addressed the UN. However, it is plain naivety to assume that all that is enshrined in international law is enforceable. UN has no mechanism of enforcement. Countries and Dictators constantly flout it and nothing happens. Even if something were to happen you’ll all have decomposed in your graves by then. A show of bravado will not lead you anywhere Umunnem. Call me a coward if you like, but Chinua Achebe told us that we often stand in the house of a coward to point at where a brave man ONCE lived. In any case, isn’t it foolishness to challenge an army that has been stockpiling arms since 1960 when you on the other hand haven’t bought a bullet just yet?
“Only a foolish man can go after a leopard with his bare hands”
Papa Achebe puts it this way, “Only a foolish man can go after a leopard with his bare hands”. As impulsive and as tempting as it may get, tone down your rhetorics, invectives, acerbics, and cursing on social media. Cherish the peace you now have at least Igbos are not worse-off than other regions despite never being in power. While there is grinding poverty in other regions, the highest income per capita in the country is posted by Anambra and other Igbo states ain’t doing badly. Our people live well, build better houses compared to other regions and it’s all a miracle given the scratch we started from after the war. Why do we want to throw all that away because of ego and start all over again? Is it a curse? The Hausas though having been in power do not even live a better quality of life than Igbos. Let’s be wise and not give opportunity to destroy all we’ve achieved as a people.
I condemn in the strongest of terms the killing of unarmed people by Nigerian soldiers, killer herdsmen, and do not by any means say Nigeria is what we want it to be but understand Biafra wasn’t Ojukwu’s first choice. At Aburi his choice was a return to true federalism which he knew was a better deal for us than secession. Nigeria failed to honour that agreement and continued the killings forcing him to declare a Biafran Republic to save his people from slaughter and it’s understandable. Nigeria owes us tons of apologies, I agree. But brothers, let’s think again! A Biafra today will even be far less economically viable than it would have been then. Reason is because then we would have used oil money to jump-start the new country but today oil is so unsellable to the extent that Venezuela with arguably the largest reserves is grappling with severe economic problems. Kick-starting a new country from the basics would be painfully slow and may outlive our generation to even get the basic things in place. Arewa youths know that, the reason they have asked Nigerian Government to let Igbos go, only for Nnamdi Kanu to start asking for Benue and Rivers because he knows that Igboland alone isn’t viable.
Benue were never part of Biafra and have made it clear to all, as did different Rivers groups that they don’t want Biafra.
Asking for Benue is laughable because they were never part of Biafra and have made it clear to all, as did different Rivers groups that they don’t want Biafra. A handful of his collaborators from those regions pledging allegiance to him does not equate to an entire people. Majority of their people hate this Biafran idea and have made that much clear. Some funny IPOBians are also hoping on Asari Dokubo and FFK. What a funny bunch being used to fight other people’s fight. Why won’t they take up the gauntlet or is it only us that is suffering injustice? Don’t even think corruption will suddenly disappear in a new Biafra as some naive IPOBians hope. If they give you Biafra today, your eyes will open up to new unpleasant realities many of you haven’t even factored-in in your agitation but then it would have been late.
We can together liberate Nigeria from Fulani if only we can unite.
I know voices like mine are often loathed and cursed by IPOBians but some of us who know the truth can no longer keep quiet while you drag us all into avoidable chaos. I owe our people the truth as I see it. Curse me all you want, it’s OK. Umunnem, ka ako’n’uche na udo chianu biko! Patience solves all things, with time. Let our people think again and know what is looming. Stop your facebook and social media vituperations, cursing, grand standing and join me to educate others. De-escalate this situation and speak words of kindness to others. Even mighty America de-escalates after tensions with Russia. It’s called wisdom. North Korea provokes South Korea most times but the South always de-escalates tensions knowing that the North hasn’t got anything to lose in the event of war but beautiful South Korea will lose quite a lot. In our case, all the beautiful houses and streets in Igboland will be razed to the ground. Why should we be starting afresh all the time? It will even be more painful if we lose again as was the case in 1970. As it is, it’s not looking good! One more thing. We can join other ethnic groups to demand restructuring. Let us not face our common enemy alone. Britain is our enemy using minority Fulani to enslave Nigerians. We can together liberate Nigeria from Fulani if only we can unite. Let’s stop all these provocative language and join forces with the West and the Middle belt. See all over where Igbos are killed on daily bases. The worst is our behaviour in other people’s land.
♦ Udechukwu Nnoruka, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), Emeritus Attorney General of Anambra State, and a past member council legal education is now in private legal practice.
Leadership across nations is shaped not only by policies but by the quality of the individuals at the helm. History has shown that the most transformative leaders often draw from deep wells of ethical, philosophical, and strategic thought. Yet, in many African countries—and Nigeria in particular—there appears to be a crisis in the kind of men elevated to govern. This deficit is not merely political; it is intellectual, philosophical, and deeply structural.
There is a compelling correlation between the absence of foundational wisdom and the type of leaders Nigeria consistently produces. Compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world, Nigerian leaders often appear fundamentally unprepared to govern societies in ways that foster justice, progress, or stability.
Consider the Middle East—nations like the UAE and Qatar—where governance is often rooted in Islamic principles. While these societies are not without flaws, their leaders have harnessed religious teachings as frameworks for nation-building, modern infrastructure, and citizen welfare. Ironically, many of Nigeria’s military and political leaders also profess Islam, yet the application of its ethical standards in public governance is nearly non-existent. This raises a troubling question: is the practice of religion in African politics largely symbolic, devoid of actionable moral guidance?
Take China as another case study. In the last four decades, China’s leadership has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty—an unprecedented feat in human history. While authoritarian in structure, China’s model demonstrates a deep philosophical commitment to collective progress, discipline, and strategic long-term planning. In Western democracies, especially post-World War II, leaders often emerged with strong academic backgrounds in philosophy, economics, or history—disciplines that sharpen the mind and cultivate vision.
In stark contrast, African leaders—particularly in Nigeria—are more often preoccupied with short-term political survival than long-term national transformation. Their legacy is frequently one of mismanagement, unsustainable debt, and structural decay. Nigeria, for example, has accumulated foreign loans that could take generations to repay, yet there is little visible infrastructure or social development to justify such liabilities. Inflation erodes wages, and basic public services remain in collapse. This cycle repeats because those in power often lack not just technical competence, but the moral and intellectual depth to lead a modern nation.
At the heart of the crisis is a lack of philosophical inquiry. Philosophy teaches reasoning, ethics, and the nature of justice—skills that are essential for public leadership. Nigerian leaders, by and large, are disconnected from such traditions. Many have never seriously engaged with political theory, ethical discourse, or economic philosophy. Without this grounding, leadership becomes a matter of brute power, not enlightened governance.
The crisis of leadership in Africa is not solely one of corruption or bad policy—it is one of intellectual emptiness. Until African nations, especially Nigeria, begin to value and cultivate leaders who are intellectually rigorous and philosophically grounded, the continent will remain caught in cycles of poverty and poor governance. True leadership requires more than charisma or military rank—it demands the wisdom to govern a society with justice, vision, and moral clarity. Without this, the future remains perilously fragile.
♦ Dominic Ikeogu is a social and political commentator based in Minneapolis, USA.
Power: From Centralised Control to Distributed Influence
Throughout Nigeria’s history, power has frequently been concentrated in political capitals, economic hubs, and within elite groups. This has often left many feeling marginalised. However, the rise of the digital age brings with it a hopeful shift. With tools like social media, blockchain technology, and digital currencies, individuals and communities are finding their voices and challenging traditional power structures. This new era provides an opportunity for empowerment, allowing more people to participate in shaping their own destinies and fostering a more inclusive future.
In Nigeria, there has been a remarkable shift as tech-savvy youth movements gain momentum, catalysing a new wave of digital activism that challenges traditional structures of power. These young innovators are leveraging technology to foster social change, raising awareness on critical issues ranging from governance to human rights. Furthermore, the fintech landscape has experienced significant advancements, with mobile banking and cryptocurrency adoption becoming increasingly prevalent. These innovations empower individuals, particularly in underserved communities, by providing them with greater access to financial services and opportunities for economic growth.
The influence once monopolised by a select few is gradually being redistributed as smartphones and affordable data plans become more accessible to the general populace. This technological democratisation allows the digital citizen to shift from being a passive consumer of information to an engaged participant in public discourse. They are now equipped to voice their opinions, mobilise for causes, and hold those in power accountable, effectively transforming the way societal issues are addressed in the country. Through these dynamic changes, the fabric of Nigerian society is evolving, driven by the collective efforts of its digitally empowered youth.
Seasons: The Rhythms of Change in a Connected World
The evolution of development in the Global South has historically been heavily influenced by external factors, such as donor agendas, foreign direct investments, and fluctuations in global market trends. These influences often shape the priorities and paths of growth in these regions, limiting local agency and innovation. However, a significant transformation is taking place today.
Nigeria’s tech ecosystem is uniquely evolving, particularly in areas like Yaba, which has earned the nickname “Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.” This region is becoming a dynamic hub for startups and entrepreneurial activities. In the capital city of Abuja, there is also a rising number of innovation centres and incubators that promote creativity and drive technological progress.
The shift signifies an inspiring independence from traditional external influences, as Nigerian entrepreneurs, developers, and innovators boldly take the lead in shaping their local landscapes and steering their own developmental agendas. This dynamic change is set to redefine the development narrative in the region, celebrating local talent and solutions that directly address the unique needs of the Nigerian market.
We are experiencing a positive transformation towards self-determination. Local startups are actively addressing community challenges through agricultural technology that enhances food security or educational platforms that make learning accessible to all. This transitional phase marks a move from waiting to a proactive era of building and innovation.
Tables: Disruption and Reconfiguration of Norms
The metaphorical tables that represent power dynamics, social privilege, and established policies are undergoing a significant transformation. In this digital age, the nature of discourse is anything but courteous; it is fundamentally disruptive. This shift challenges long-standing norms and traditions that have persisted for years. The rapid advancement of technology is not merely an evolution but a revolution that brings to light various inefficiencies that have long gone unacknowledged.
The text highlights a rising demand for accountability among individuals and institutions in today’s society. As traditional structures come under scrutiny, there is an increasing expectation for transparency and responsibility, reflecting the evolving dynamics of our world.
In Nigeria, digital platforms’ impact is unmistakable; they have unveiled corruption, galvanised protests, and transformed the landscape of entrepreneurship. The youth are not merely seeking seats at the table but constructing entirely new ones. Through this bold action, they are reshaping the very definitions of leadership, innovation, and progress.
Challenges and Opportunities
This transformation comes with challenges, but we are more than capable of overcoming them. We can bridge digital divides, address cybersecurity threats, and reshape regulatory frameworks to match the pace of innovation. These challenges are not obstacles; they are our call to action to co-create an inclusive, secure, and locally relevant future.
Nigeria stands at an exciting crossroads, with a tremendous opportunity to boost its investments in crucial areas like digital literacy, technological infrastructure, and policy reform. By strongly emphasising digital literacy, we can equip our citizens with the essential skills to navigate today’s dynamic digital world, leading to a more informed and empowered workforce ready to tackle future challenges.
Enhancing our technological infrastructure is of paramount importance, as it involves developing reliable internet connectivity and providing access to the latest digital tools and technologies. We can create a more robust and efficient ecosystem that supports businesses, education, and communication by prioritising these upgrades. This transformation is expected to significantly drive economic growth by attracting both local and foreign investments.
Improved technology is set to drive innovation across multiple sectors in Nigeria, allowing both entrepreneurs and established businesses to introduce fresh ideas and solutions. By harnessing this potential, Nigeria can enhance its position in the global marketplace, becoming a competitive entity ready to embrace emerging trends and opportunities in the digital age.
Moreover, countries in the Global South have a remarkable opportunity to unite through cross-border collaboration! By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can bolster our resilience against global challenges while amplifying our collective voice in international tech governance.
This collaborative spirit enables us to formulate a comprehensive strategy that effectively addresses the diverse needs of local communities. By fostering open dialogue and partnership, we can ensure that the perspectives and experiences of the Global South play a crucial role in shaping global technological standards and policies. It’s essential that these voices are heard and considered in discussions that impact the future of technology. Together, through cooperation and shared vision, we can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive technological future that benefits everyone, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.
The digital age is our current reality, giving Nigeria and the Global South an opportunity to shift from passive technology consumers to active creators of innovative solutions. This transformation is crucial for these regions to assert their place in global innovation.
Local entrepreneurs and startups must embrace digital tools to unlock their potential and create innovative solutions for their unique challenges. This proactive approach fosters economic growth and a strong culture of entrepreneurship and collaboration across education, business, and government.
Conclusion: A New Dawn
The time for the Global South to shine is now. These regions can drive social change and economic empowerment by creating local technologies that tackle local and global challenges. Nigeria and its counterparts must seize this moment to emerge as leaders in global innovation.
As the seasons change and the tables turn, we confidently embrace the transformations of power. The future is not just digital—it is unequivocally African, undeniably Southern, and ours to shape and define.
♦ Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola is a Nigerian Professor of Cyber Security and Information Technology Management, and holds a Chartered Manager Status, and by extension, Chartered Fellow (CMgr FCMI) by the highly Reputable Royal Chartered Management Institute.
It will not be easy to defeat Tinubu and the APC
Let me emphatically state without any ambiguity that for the opposition to make President Tinubu lose grip of Aso Rock in 2027 and force him to the status of a “former president” is a herculean task that requires more than defeating him in polling booths. Anyone who has followed President Tinubu’s political success from Lagos to Abuja will agree that he is a master of Nigerian politics. Therefore, to take power away from him, the opposition members must understand that the hurdle facing them is not child’s play but a huge political combat.
But yes, of course, the alliance of ADC without any doubt is very capable of defeating President Tinubu and sending APC out of Aso Rock, but caution must not be thrown to the wind – members of the party must be self-examining, honest, holistic, and critical in taking decisions without sentiments.
Why Peter Obi is the best choice for the ADC alliance
In all fairness, there are notable political heavyweights in this alliance, but if a square peg must be put in a square hole, considering records and national acceptance, Obi currently is the most popular accepted politician in Nigeria and should be the choice of ADC.
We must say it as it is, Obi is not a perfect human being, but in the annals of Nigerian politics, no one, dead or alive,/has the kind of political records he has, and this has endeared him to the hearts of millions of Nigerians. He is just real and different. Whether he is in a public service or in a private business, Obi has remained who he is: humane, caring, humble, civil, considerate, fair, and incorruptible.
In 2023, many did not give him any chance when he left PDP to join Labour Party, but for his character, competence, and transparency, etc. Nigerians not only followed him as a man of honour, but they also spent their money in his campaign throughout the country. It was a generally held view by the majority that he defeated President Tinubu in 2023, allegedly.
If Obi is not part of this political alignment, the best way I would describe the coalition would be an “old wine in a new bottle”, because the new bottle cannot make the old wine taste differently. There is no one in the alliance that we do not know his/her history and political antecedents. WHILE many of them are desperadoes and manipulators, and the reason we do not have Nigeria Airways and constant electricity, etc., many owe Nigerians an explanation of those stealing our gold, etc., in Zamfara State.
What I dread about the coalition
My fear is that I am constantly seeing the hands of Esau but hearing the voice of Jacob in the alliance. I say so because I have seen mischievous steps selfishly played out that are politically suicidal to the alliance and that will not be good for the interests of all Nigerians.
If Nigerians were to choose who will be the candidate of ADC, I am pretty sure that Obi would have an easy ride, but here only party agents will, and that is where the danger lies. Obi, we all know, is not ready to bribe anyone to vote for him because he sees politics as a service to the people and not a business. Owing to this reason, many say he is stingy, and I was in total shock and disappointed the day I saw Barr. Kenneth Okonkwo reprimanded Obi on national television for the same reason. But it is what it is, and I will leave that for another day. Obi is not a desperate politician, and this is one of the things that has differentiated him from others and why we Nigerians really want him.
I am frightened that Obi may be schemed out as the ADC presidential candidate. But let me re-echo this as a warning. If Mr. Peter Obi does not emerge as the candidate of the coalition or is forced to walk out of the alliance, the coalition becomes toothless, what late veteran football commentator Ernest Okonkwo would have described as “beautiful nonsense”. It will make the participation of ADC in 2027 a mere political exercise that will end in futility as long as the presidential election is concerned. And if, for any reason, Obi agrees to be a running mate to anyone, I will withdraw my support from him and give it to President Tinubu.
Mr. Peter Obi, Sir, you are not ready to buy the agents, and many of the agents seem not ready to vote for you either because of your kind of politics of “I will not give shi shi”. Games are already on. Are you ready for this coalition? Did you consider very well, and the coalition was not a trap for you, Sir? Because members of the alliance know that you are the most acceptable Nigerian politician currently and the only person the majority of Nigerians want. They are consciously aware that without you, they cannot defeat APC and President Tinubu, hence the ploy with the alliance. Furthermore, they know you will not try to influence the conscience of any party agent to vote for you during the primary; therefore, they will take advantage of that and influence the agents against you. Please, Sir, if you feel what I suspect, kindly withdraw from the alliance even before the primary. You are the hope of millions of Nigerians, and anywhere you go, we are sincerely willing to follow you.
Why the coalition should be encouraged
Irrespective of my expressed fear, the coalition is a good one. But let me re-emphasize that the mission of ADC members to wrestle power out of the hands of Mr. President in 2027 is like one going into a lion’s den to take its meat. It will not be easy. To get this accomplished, members of the party must make sacrifices and be willing to do away with selfishness. Mr. President is a man who knows how to compensate and care for those supporting him, like he has done to Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister.
Wike, who may become a victim of his own political arrogance, could be consumed by his overzealousness to be a president one day, and will go to any political extent to make sure that his launch is not taken away from his mouth. And there are many Wikes around Mr. President. The mistake someone like Atiku made was not ensuring that Wike was forced out of the PDP before he left. His continuous stay in PDP is not politically good for ADC’s coalition. I will not be surprised if PDP’s structures are used in supporting APC in 2027 at some point. Consequently, it is a requisite without option that members of the alliance tenaciously combine their resources and strength together for the battle ahead without betraying each other. They must proportionately be prepared to match Mr. President and APC strategy-to-strategy, propaganda-to-propaganda, intimidation-to-intimidation, and force-to-force, etc. That is the only way President Tinubu and the APC could be beaten to submission.
Long, incredible processes an election winner must go through, or else he /she will be declared the loser.
In Nigeria, it absurdly seems like even winning all polling booths in an election is not enough for one to be announced a winner by the electoral umpire INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission). Why? Because there appear to be three stages, the candidates must first struggle with and overcome.
Stage (1): The candidate, his/her political party, and their agents must first of all make sure that the ballot boxes are safely transported from the polling booths to their designated collation centres without being hijacked by thugs or hired hoodlums and swerved with manipulated and stuffed boxes.
Stage (2): They must equally make sure that at the collation centres, the real figures are correctly computed without alteration.
Stage (3) – INEC: Here, the party agents must be very vigilant and ensure that the real figures, deprived of Tippex and cancellation of digits, are actually submitted without extra zeros and numbers added or removed. This becomes crucial in view of what happened in 2023, where INEC’s IReV, for whatever reason, failed to transmit election results from polling booths. This issue must be addressed and avoided so as not to repeat itself.
Remember, once the INEC Chairman announces results and pronounces a winner, one can do nothing but go to court. But the danger is that those factors that induced the announcement of the wrong winner are more likely to also influence courts’ proceedings and sustain what should not be sustained as a final judgment.
Thus, to say that any election winner in Nigerian polling booths who is not well-connected could get announced as a loser by INEC unless a miracle happens, and the most powerful one with political strength and financial influence gets declared winner is a statement past experiences have supported. Whosoever is not willing or who does not have the capacity to go through the processes that influence the final outcome should not bother going into politics, at least for now. It is sad and a very terrible situation, but that is the fact.
If coalition members fail at this juncture to get the electoral system reformed, it is not a good one. And I wonder why they are silent on this crucial point. Though one does not need to be pessimistic, if they fail to ensure that their engineers certify that all BIVAS machines are in good condition before being taken to their various destinations and results transmitted from polling booths, it may not be abstract to say that the election may have already been won and lost even without votes being cast.
Why Obi needs the alliance
In a free and fair election, Obi will clearly defeat APC and President Tinubu with or without the coalition. But because Nigeria is a country where elections are neither free nor fair, considering the factors analyzed above and below, Obi needs the alliance as much as the alliance needs him to close the loophole witnessed in 2023.
On the day of the election, coalition members should make sure that voters’ votes are counted as cast, results transmitted as enshrined in the electoral act without flimsy excuses on any concocted technical hitch, and figures written on the official provided result sheets. They should have the capacity against any bullion van, armored cars, bulletproof jeeps, and other private cars moving around. They should be at the forefront to defend their party’s votes and mandates and mobilize their confidants and agents throughout the country. It is no longer enough to tell the masses to stand with empty hands and defend their votes against well-armed criminals illegally moving around polling booths and collation centres, changing figures, and altering results. Most importantly, they must have the capacity to make the INEC Chairman announce the original documented results and not manipulated figures with Tippex. Anything less will be the same story as it was in 2023.
Conclusion
My sincere message to ADC party agents is that, in their capacity to decide who becomes the presidential candidate of their party, lies the hope of millions of Nigerians for a functioning society. They must be critical and holistic because the choice they make will either take Nigeria out of the throes of death, shape the future we all will be proud of, or pave the way for the continuation of hunger, killings, criminality, hopelessness, and disaster.
We have chosen before based on religion, but it failed us. We have also chosen based on ethnicity, and it was a tragedy. We have equally made choices based on party even when we saw better choices, but our loyalties were rewarded with hunger, insecurity, terrorism, killing, rascality, corruption, sorrow, and tears. We cannot continue in the same direction anymore. We must get it right this time by choosing capacity, integrity, competence, tolerance and a person of honor. Peter Gregory Obi is that option. Choose wisely.
♦ Uzoma Ahamefule, a refined African traditionalist and a patriotic citizen writes from Vienna, Austria. WhatsApp: +436607369050; Email Contact Uzoma >>>>