Many of us had been ruminating about the former Governor of Abia State Dr. Orji Kalu’s petition to act as a go-between for the restoration of peace in the Northern part of the country troubled by the Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram. In the same vein he had told the advanced world democracies to assist the developing countries to solidify democracy, which Nigeria happens to be one of the developing countries. They said that Kalu made the disclosure when he visited the French Parliament recently. They also said that he was honoured during the trip by Mr. J.K. Franso and other congresspersons at the Foreign Affairs Committee room at the assembly in Paris, France.
As these came with Kalu’s declaration to help in solving the Boko Haram menace through dialogue, means that he is a social democrat. Although, with the uncivilized democracy many of these developing countries practice, it behooves France and other developed countries to assist in earnest, in building a morally and transparent democratic norms in the countries of case study. Did Kalu not say that when democracy takes its rightful place in the society, all citizens will embrace their government without deportment to any security risks to the nation?
As many of us know Kalu as a man of his utterances who has initiated programmes in many quarters but especially through his Saturday Sun column but the government at the centre seems is playing the ostrich, we must agree with the news that the People’s Democratic Party has failed Nigerians. Look at it, going to two decades the party has ruled Nigeria things have not improved than the military left it. It could even be said that the military were better than the civilian
rule called democracy in Nigeria we have come to endure. At least, the military were able to construct and re-construct roads in Nigeria. But this PDP, without mincing words, is truly a disappointment.
The lackadaisical bearing of the government at the centre to duty has been discomfiture to the yarning of Kalu, which invariably is tilting against the trust once reposed on it by the electorates. This is why democracy should not be about the number but about implementation and execution of democratic dividends that would reach the people. It is not always good that the state of infrastructure in the country is embarrassing. And in the countries that Kalu has called to assist
democracy in a country like Nigeria, roads are necessities to development and, not used as a tool for politicking, as is the case in Nigeria. Other facilities to include health facilities, qualitative education, improved economy, security, stability in democracy are what exist in the democracies of the developed world, but the same are not applicable to Nigeria. Nigerians are suffering under democracy more than in any other form of government. This is the bane of Kalu.
To affirm Kalu’s position, an analysis has this to show: In 1998, 40 per cent of Nigerians lived below the poverty level but as at today the figure has risen to about 70 per cent and as we all know a hungry mind is the devil’s workshop. Nigerians cannot afford two square meals talk less of three square meals. Abuse of office under the PDP government has become a way of life leading to scams in pension, subsidy and Security and Exchange Commission administration. The level of unemployment has led the country into security problems such as Boko Haram, militancy, kidnapping, declaration of self government amongst others. The rule of law has been greatly abused; the judiciary has lost financial and administrative autonomy due to undue and overbearing influences by the government, leaving the lone voice to be deprived justice. The PDP-led government uses all state apparatuses, including anti-graft agencies, to fight their political enemies and many political opponents have been denied victory because elections are characterised by military intimidation with the use of armoured
tanks, arms and ammunition to prevent people from exercising their voting rights.
The period of 1999 to 2007 might not be utopia to Nigerians but it was expected that this present government could have improved but to no avail. This is the reason Nigerians should listen to Kalu anytime he speaks. He is a man who has been betrayed by many he trusted, but he has not betrayed Nigeria and Nigerians. Especially, since his fallout with the PDP, the party has been doing everything to provoke him, yet he remains calm and, bringing solutions to help in solving Nigeria’s monumental woes.
As a genuine statesman with unflinching love for Nigeria, it was not a point in the wrong direction when Kalu said that he was ready to be the broker for peace between the insurgents and the Nigerian Government: a task which even once Generals in the Nigerian Army are running away from, giving flippancy and unworkable excuses. The Emetu mba ahu mba (Touch a people and see the people) stands on his words. This peace move was not his first; he succeeded in bringing peace among top Army Generals and politicians in Nigeria, which mentioning their names here will be much.
Virtually every soul in the Nigerian politics is for sale but not Kalu’s. He may not be one hundred percent loved by opposing interests, but one thing remains sacrosanct – he is not for sale. And this has been the surprise of traducers. He is not a confusionist, but many are confused about how he sets his goals and achieved them. Politically, he is still as relevant as ever and, is not standing on his last leg. One does not think that he said that he was ready to bring peace in Nigeria because of financial profit that may accrue, but for Nigeria’s. He was even ready to spend his own money, which is not new to him.
Let the Federal Government not play politics with this onerous task. Kalu has not said that he is the saviour of Nigeria, but any discerning mind will know that he wants to save Nigeria. By his posture, he does not want to wield authority over anybody. Many opportunists will do. Kalu has always sponsored proposals for
democratic evaluation; an example is the call on established democracies of the world to assist democracy in the developing world when he visited the French Parliament recently.
Odimegwu Onwumere who temporarily relocated to Abia State from Rivers State, contributed this peace from Aba. Email: apoet_25@yahoo.com.
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