Chima Okoroafor

10/04/2023

The Chukwueke Family,
Ndegbelu Awaka,
Owerri North.
Attn :
Chief Jerry Chukwueke,
Ohamadike Owere.

Tribute To Ndaa Mighty Chukwueke

I join men and women of goodwill to commiserate with you on the painful demise of your brother, Ndaa Mighty Chukwueke.

I pay tribute to the noble memory of Ndaa Mighty who espoused a great and new philosophical roadmap for a greater and better Owere. His OKWU OWERE ideology gained currency and acceptability across the spectrum of Nde Owere, home and abroad.This is a philosophy that identifies and addresses the needs and aspirations of Nde Owere. Ndaa Mighty's voice was always euphonious and invigorating as he took time at many places to dissect the new philosophy which postulated for an Owere renaissance, unity, peace, love, progress and the possibilities that were our lots if only we would and could close ranks and avoid the unnecessary bitterness and rancour which characterized our approaches to issues.

He was fearless, poignant and a philosopher king whose thoughts were socratic and presentations, intellectual. Indeed, he stirred a new vision and consciousness among the younger generations of Owere sons and daughters. My generation is among the beneficiaries of this deep thought and OKWU OWERE united us across the Owerri Federal Constituency and created the awareness in us, the needs to come together as a body which today, metaphorized into OGANIHU OWERE ORGANIZATION, one the enduring socio-cultural organizations in Imo state.

Ndaa Mighty was also a community torch bearer and quitessential kindred spirit who was always at bucolic best with his people in spite of his cosmopolitan profiles. Surely, we will his sagacious dispositions, friendliness, passion for a better and greater society where everyone will be safe and happy.

As I pray for God's repose of his soul, it is also my prayer that we will continue to uphold the lights of OKWU OWERE which Ndaa Mighty lit. This is the greatest legacy we can pay to his soul.

May God straighten your family.

Nze James Chinonyerem, KSM

Oduebube N'Emii.

08/04/2023

DISTURBING INTERFERENCES IN INTERNAL PARTY POLITICS IN NAIJA📌*

Power politics in Naija is truly not a leisure walk in the park. It belies understanding. A pessimist once intoned that anything, except good governance, obedience to rule of law, order, peace and progress, is possible in Naija. Too bad!

In 1972, Anezi Okoro, Nigerian born Medical Doctor and first black African dermatologist, wrote a novel with the title "ONE WEEK ONE TROUBLE". Fifty one years after, that cliché or stereotype One Week One Trouble now typifies Naija politics.

Anyone who studies party politics as congruent angles of power politics in Naija will never graduate. Day after day, the histrionics, dramatics and dynamics of party politics get worse, more confusing and highly unpredictable.

Today, every major political party in Nigeria is enmeshed in one kind of internal ruckus or the other. Talk of post-general election trauma or wahala.

Put succinctly in local parlance, "officers of political parties are collecting wotowoto". Party officers are now used to play musical chairs. Something like barber's chair. Soldier come, soldier go, barrack go remain.

Elected National, State, Local Government, Zonal and Ward officers of political parties are randomly being thrown under the bus and unceremoniously removed from their offices like common criminals from APGA, to APC to PDP to LP to NNPP to YDP and many more.

Never have we had this level of wrangling, attrition and impunity within political parties. Too many things are responsible for these irresponsible behaviours.

Despite the iron clad protection of mandates of nominated party candidates under the Electoral Act, 2022, yet nominated party candidates were arbitrarily substituted by rapacious party officers.

It is still an unresolved mystery how party candidates who won primary elections were whimsically supplanted and how some of those who did not contest primary elections ended up being upheld in court as party candidates. Another 2023 abracadabra?

Never have we had this level of meddlesomenes in the internal affairs of political parties notwithstanding the stringent effort made under the Electoral Act, 2022 to inject sanity and discipline in internal party politics.

Alas, the disruptive level of external and contrived interferences in the internal politics of political parties in Naija cries to high heaven.

Who would have believed that elected National officers of political parties will be removed from office with exparte orders of court?

Fiaam and with the speed of lightening, before the return date fixed to argue the merit or demerits of the interlocutory application, security agents will be procured to invade the party secretariat, sack the lawful occupants there and become the new landlords.

What has happened to the sacred and ancient rule of fair hearing and the established principle by the apex Supreme Court that exparte orders should only be granted in cases of extreme urgency by our courts?

Nigerians are openly asking, what is the urgency in party administration after the general elections by INEC must have held?

Why will the applicant not put all parties on notice as the Supreme Court will insist?

One of the immutable twin pillars of justice is that you must hear the other side [the other being that no one should be a judge in his own cause or mattter].

Exparte orders are seldom made because they attack the sacred principle of fair hearing. Parties in a case must be heard and cases decided on their merit. No one shall be vexed or adversely affected without a hearing. This is the irreducible minimum provision in section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended. It is dubbed *audi alteram partem.* This Latin maxim is fundamental and elementary but it seems to be obeyed more in breach than observance in Naija.

What happens if the substantive application for interlocutory injunction does not succeed as exparte orders are not final? Wherein lies the balance of convenience? No one cares to know.

Haba! Why are our political parties being systematically destabilised instead of deepening our democracy?

Do these political parties not have clear provisions in their respective Constitutions on procedures for loss of membership and or removal of officers of the party whether at Ward, Local Government, Zonal, State and National levels?

If they do not have, how did they get registered by INEC?

Truth be told, there is no political party Constitution that does not have clear and unambiguous provisions on procedures for loss of membership and or removal of officers of the party at all levels.

Yet impunity reigns!

What then is party supremacy? Wherein lies the sanctity of the party Constitution if a National Chairman [or indeed any elected officer at any level] of a political party can be ambushed and summarily removed from office by an exparte court order procured by persons who may end up being described as busy bodies or meddlesome interlopers?

Wherein lies sensible boundaries for internal party politics which is the rubicon the courts and outsiders must never cross?

Against the return of rampant use of exparte orders to remove duly elected party officers, Nigeriand are further tempted to ask, wherein lies the supremacy of the national Constitution which guarantees fair hearing? In sum, where lies the rule of law in Naija?

Who will save our intra party politics, our democracy and national constitution that is being destroyed by disturbing interferences in party politics? Just who?

Confusion break bones [CBB]. Fela and the Egypt 80 Band sang 🎵 about it in 1992. Confusion is now reigning in the political parties without exception. Figuratively, the bones of elected officers are being broken with ease contrary to the party Constitutions and the almighty principle of party supremacy.

The gales of unwholesome interferences in party politics are disruptive and disturbing. Those behind the present charade may not know that there can be democracy without political parties. Now they know!

Nigeria 🇳🇬 we hail thee.

A new normal is possible!

🖋️
Prof Obiaraeri, N.O.

04/04/2023

WE ARE ALL GUILTY

"The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it" - Usman Dan Fodio, 1804.

By Chima Okoroafor

On Sunday 2nd of April, 2023, a party member using a fictitious account indirectly attacked PAM outreach event in Orji and label leaders behind it disgruntled. This triggered a flurry of activity that led to the suspension of the clone account because clearly it was a political hit job. It's mind bugging to know that such outstanding event is a source of concern and worry to other party leaders. Such mindset no doubt represent the worst instinct of Owerri North politicians.

Prince Dr. Alex Mbata's interactive event with his faithful followers is exceptional and the first of it's kind to see a politician come back to his supporters to thank them and to honour his campaign promises, according to him, whether in victory or otherwise. In the face of misgivings orchestrated by pull him down syndrome it's imperative to state that the event was not a party meeting nor a typical political gathering because ordinary citizens of Owerri North with no political affiliation were in attendance.

The truth is that one Mustapha a faceless account, made a conscious effort to rupture prospect of harmony in Owerri north APC. But the real issue is not the contentious write up by Mustapha, but by actions and inactions of some of our revered leaders. I recall the submission made by lady Ngozi Ohaka who in one of the LGA stakeholders meeting at the senatorial campaign office of Prince Dr. Alex Mbata said that the problem with Owerri North LGA is not the followers, but the leadership. A position Hon. Austin Achilike amplified. I also recall the outburst in frustration by now Imo state house of assembly member-elect, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum over the difficult politics of Owerri North.

Prince Mbata's interactive session with his followers was exceptional in my view because unlike other politicians, he came back to his faithfuls to thank them for their support and to announce that the time has come for Owerri North to lift one another up with love and cordiality. He also announced his intention to redeem his campaign promises, especially to people of Orji and Emii wards.

Another issue in the front burner in the politics of Owerri North according to Ngozi Ohaka, is the reward of family members and cronies who are Sidon lookers instead of those who worked hard and put in their best for the party. This is an unfair and ungodly practice and living in denial of this predicament is a major constraint that can keep us in this muddle far longer than is safe. This sense of entitlement by some selfish leaders will continue to disconnect the people and their leaders.

A reward system that over looks notable personalities and party financiers like Dr. Anthony Ihedoro is most unfortunate. Also a reward system that ensures only one man claims all the position available to Owerri north, from commissioner, house of representatives, house of assembly to LGA chairman back to back is an absurdity. A reward system that replaces a brother with another brother out of a misunderstanding is an unfair treatment.
Perhaps I agree with the notion that a father can never be wrong in a dispute with his son. it's also wrong to argue with your boss, because the boss is always right. But the boss should on his own part introspect on the mercies of God in spite of our many sins.

Another condemnable act in Owerri north is witch hunting when there is no witch, that is making a conscious effort to suppress people who are perceived to be loyal to a rival power bloc.

From indications, all is not well in Owerri north APC. The power play is tearing the party further apart. After the extensive efforts of the state Governor to foster harmony and unity of purpose, yet we appear heading for an implosion and self destruct. How did we refused to retrace our steps even after realizing we took a wrong turn in the road to reshaping our party. A lot of damage has already been done but further damage can be stemmed if we stop pointing fingers in the manner of faceless Mustapha and remember that most of the soiled fingers are pointing back at us. We are all guilty.

What needs to be done?

Owerri North APC is obviously sick and needs a doctor to write prescriptions and a pharmacist and nurse to administer the medicament that will cure internal sabotage, political gluttony and endless power tussle. Like I have always said, we need leaders among us with an ability to counsel in love, words and deeds, by character and valour to step forward and be counted in this project.

On a personal note, I thank Prince Dr Alex Mbata for been a Saint among sinners, a leading light and the hand of God in the life of many in Owerri zone even after a contentious election. In spite of his manifest acts of kindness and humanity, I still implore you sir, to help the LGA over the quite notice dangling on their neck. I also wish to say that I disagree with the "warning notice" issued by the LGA leadership. I believe they should have exercised restraint and use the back channel to seek a Diplomatic solution over any misunderstanding if indeed there are any. Diplomacy must be explored at all times.

It's important that the position of LGA chairman should be allowed to function freely, and not weaponized to fight the very people who recommended you to the position.

In the same way, I implore Chief Henry Njoku (Harritex), one of the highly respected APC leaders to take steps to return Nze James Chinonyerem as SA because frankly, the way and manner of his removal is like a sore on the forehead, it's there for all to see. Your contact and reach out can accommodate your two sons (Nze and Samuel) in government.

For the healthy development of APC Owerri North and in readiness for the ultimate test of winning the governorship election, we must not allow grudges to gather in the sewers of our subconscious mind. Unhealthy competition by leaders and a dysfunctional reward system must give way for inclusiveness, genuine friendship, brotherly love and unity of purpose.

24/03/2023

I am Igbo. I am proud of who we are. I love Nigeria. I love the best of her peoples and the many strengths. I love what she can be.

But dear compatriots, I will not apologise to anyone who thinks that my success is a threat.

WALK WITH ME

I am Igbo. Go to Onitsha. Go to Aba. Go to Alaba. Go to Kano and see wealthy men who brag with how many millionaires they had minted in the course of their lives more than how many millions they personally had. Millionaires who sold the same things o. Competing with their three former masters. Taking on more competitors who will create more competitors over and over. Does it destroy the master? No! This is a mastery over greed that is not found elsewhere in the entire world. I am Igbo. And I am fckn proud!

My ancestors were the ones who in 1803 walked into the Pacific rather than be slaves. That legendary spirit is mine to claim.

Every Igbo man has a personal god, his Chi. My success is determined by how much I want it. Not by obstacles. Not by what people call impossible.

Not by how rich or poor my father was. Not by avoiding danger. But by a simple agreement between me and my Chi.
“Onye kwe, Chi ya ekwe”. If you believe, your personal god will validate it.

I am Igbo, I was raised this way.

To create success and share it without begrudging our neighbours and our hosts. We will teach our host’s children our way of life if they would rise above their suspicions. We don’t mind a Yoruba or Hausa boy-boy or Edo. We only ask that the person be smart and dependable.

We are not particular about kings or queens. We don’t want to be your king. We don’t do very well with them. Before the whiteman we barely had any kings. A child who came of age had the right to speak in a village meeting when it was his turn. No one could stop them.

The community came together to build houses for each other. People who were struggling were supported and those who had lost children or had none were lent children for their farms. When my ancestors saw that education was good, they contributed to send the village brightest to school. Even people whose own children were olodo happily contributed for other people’s children. You know why? We believed that a child belonged to everyone. I am Igbo. I will not apologise.

In those days we had leaders who were chosen purely on what they could do. Nothing was hereditary. Even the chief priest was chosen by the spirits from kindred to kindred, without a set pattern.

Basically, we don’t want to rule in your land. We want to build wealth.

Again we’re happy to share. We will build schools, hospitals, markets without a single prejudice. Everyone is welcome. And no, we don’t only go to already-made cities. We particularly love to do virgin lands and make decent towns out of them.

I am sure there are many things for which you can be proud about your ancestors. I know a few, because I try to educate myself. I will celebrate them with you. Your art & culture - ancient & modern. The warrior spirit of your ancestors. Their industry. I celebrate them all.

I dare suggest that if other Nigerian ethnicities who prefer political power understood Igbos, they would rule forever and Igbos wouldn’t mind. Any Igbo will tell you: Provide a level playing field, promote law and order and Igbo’s will largely ignore politics.

Let me reiterate. We don’t do well with kings and queens. Respect is earned not inherited. That’s how we see it. We only hate injustice with a terrible passion. How do you think the boy-boy system is sustained? If you don’t “settle” your boy, or skimp on how much, nobody will beat you, but you won’t be able to live down the shame. You will forever be known as the riffraff that doesn’t “settle” his boys. Just like that, your respect is gone. When a child who has “washed” his hands is chosen over you, your pariah status is sealed.

You may resist and ask, “What about Igbo governors? How come they do Ndị Igbo dirty and get away with it?”
The answer is simple. No one chose them. They’re imposed with guns every election cycle. They are vassals of Abuja.

Free and fair elections and none of these clowns will smell that seat. If not for the guns, even a small child will walk up to them and tell them that they’re full of sh*t.

Ideally everyone can speak. From the drunk to the village mad man. You’re allowed to laugh at their craziness but you’re not allowed to silence them.
“Mba nụ. Ị bụ Chi ya?” Are you his God?

They commune with the spirits. So once in a while they say things that save the community.

But a Peter Obi for instance, can live in Onitsha & walk into the market with little or no es**rt. Why?

He embodies the best of us. His attitude is what our forefathers built over thousands of years. Industry without excessive greed. A peaceful man with grit and a truckload of bravery. Someone who pursues justice for all and uses public money for public good.

I am Igbo and I am happy to emulate the best of you. If it is a thing of value we will adopt it and we expect that as we are willing to share, you will extend us the same hand. But even if you decided not to teach us, we only need to see it to learn.

I know this is what gives you pause and whips up fears that we want to take over. Let me assure you that we wish to build a bigger market to accommodate all of us. Please let us try it our way. Our competition is not winner takes all. We share. We enrich. We make better.

I am Igbo, my mantra is “O je mba enwe ilo”. The traveler mustn’t make enemies.

I expect that you will not understand me. But I believe that this is not your burden. So I learn your ways. Teach my children your language. Learn your customs and obey your laws.

Stop trying to crush my spirit. You will fail. My spirit is my gift to Nigeria. It is rare in all the earth. I don’t know how NOT to compete. I can’t accept to be less than. I can’t be enslaved.

Because I am Igbo & all I have to do is to believe and my Chi will validate it.

https://twitter.com/jollynony/status/1637702997936414721?t=a8nn4k_zgEoHBrVf-Jl-Vw&s=08

“23. Stop trying to crush my spirit. You will fail. My spirit is my gift to Nigeria. It is rare in all the earth. I don’t know how NOT to compete. I can’t accept to be less than. I can’t be enslaved. Because I am Igbo & all I have to do is to believe and my Chi will validate it.”

10/03/2023

OWERRI MUNICIPAL APC DISOWNS BARR. WILLIE AMADI

PRESS RELEASE

The All Progressives Congress in Owerri Municipal Council would like to formally announce its disassociation from Barr. Willie Amadi, a member of our party who has been engaging in activities that go against the ideals and principles of our party.

We have been made aware that Barr. Willie has been working against the party and playing anti-party politics, which is in direct contradiction to the values and goals of our party. We have also received reports that Willie Amadi has been engaging in activities that undermine the integrity of our party, and this is unacceptable. He's not a financial supportive member of the party, will never miss a chance to drag the name of the party through the domain of hades .

As a party, we strongly believe in democratic principles, which include respect for the rule of law, fairness, and accountability. We have always advocated for unity and teamwork, and we will not tolerate any behavior that goes against these principles.

We want to make it clear that Willie Amadi's actions do not reflect the values and beliefs of our party, and we have taken decisive action to distance ourselves from him. We have also initiated an internal investigation into this matter to ensure that our members remain true to our party’s ideals and principles.

We urge all members of our party to remain focused on the goals of the party and work towards achieving them. We also call on our supporters to remain committed to the party and its vision for the future.

We remain resolute in our commitment to providing good governance and delivering on our promises to the people. We will not be distracted by the actions of a few individuals who do not share our vision for the party in Owerri Municipal Council and the state .

Signed,

Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim
APC Chairman,
Owerri Municipal Council

10/03/2023

NO BODY IS HAPPY AFTER A SUCCESSFUL ROBBERY EXCEPT THE ROBBERS.

THE PAINS OF A KIND GOVERNOR. Further revelations has emerged on why our son and brother and indeed Owerri Municipal was betrayed in last month’s House of Representatives election. Our own son and brother Dr. Macdonald Ebere had placed a call to the Governor at the wee hours of collation of results in the Hall at Owerri Municipal and informed him that the critical leadership of the Municipal gathered therein had concluded all arrangements for the declaration of our brother CDB Williams as the winner but that quick money is needed to facilitate the process. He was sent $30,000 ( Thirty thousand dollars immediately. Now the Governor is in shock of what happened to the candidate after the pain of making sure the ticket was ceded to Owerri Municipal despite immense pressure from Owerri West. The question begging for answers NOW is “ Who are those leaders referred to and what happened to the $30, 000.00. Some of those leaders are on this platform and if they don’t comment I will mention their names for comments because if these questions are not answered before the next election the aggrieved APC members who voted 🗳️ in protest on the 11th of February may repeat same protest if the use of that $30,000 money 💰 and N11 million for canvassing are not explained to them. Who and who among the leaders or INEC adhoc and security officials shared in the distribution of the dollar and yet refused to do the needful as ‘claimed’. Is it possible and right that the candidate in an election Hon. CDB Williams was not informed of the receipt of such money by our two brothers the State Chairman APC, EBERE and Municipal Campaign Council Chairman, IBEJIAKO until yesterday after the bubble burst ? Please LET us TALK THE TALK & PROVOKE THE THOUGHTS. I weep for OWERE 😳😪 😭😭😡. ——Willie Amadi, Ukwa Achiaka & Omeudo Owerri. AJUZIEOGU LODGE.

10/03/2023

OWERRI NORTH APC LEADERS MEET, TOOK STOCK OF LAST ELECTION PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIZE FOR VICTORY IN THE 11TH OF MARCH STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTION.

BY Chima Okoroafor

The meeting of March 4th, 2023 took place at the chapel hall of Owerri North council headquarters, and in the words of Chief Henry Njoku (Harritex), the meeting was on the instance of the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma. Chief Njoku told party faithfuls that the meeting was for an honest self appraisal. He urge members to speak freely on what they perceived to be an impediment to the party objective of a resounding electoral victory and proffer solution to correct the anomalies. He reminded party leaders that government of Senator Hope Uzodinma has delivered on promise and wonder why Owerri North LGA will post a very dismal performance in the last election. Chief Harritex speaking further said at the look of things, it appears that even party leaders did not vote for the party's candidates. Ikeoha who was visibly unhappy on the outcome of the election, chronicled the ground breaking projects of Uzodinma administration in Owerri north LGA and the empowerment programs of Prince Alex Mbata, a son of Owerri North LGA and expressed bewilderment at the level of betrayal by leaders and members of APC. He called for real soul searching by party leaders moving forward because to whom much is given, much is expected he said.

Moving forward, Chief Henry Njoku said is to vote for Hon. Kelechi Ofurum to represent Owerri North LGA in the state House Assembly. He called on the people of Uratta bloc to vote for their son in line with Owerri North LGA zoning arrangement and charter of equity.

In his comment, a representative of the ward youth leaders of the party, painted a picture of neglect and a rift between them and their ward chairmen. A situation, the LGA party chairman Kelechi Azuike promised to look into with the urgency it requires.

In his remarks, the apex leader of the party, Prince Lemmy Akakem who was visibly peeved over the dismal performance of the party in the election, puts to question the patriotism of so called party leaders. He said when party faithfuls decided to pick and choose candidates to vote for based on sentiment instead of objective reality, it makes the party vulnerable to all manner of electoral outcomes.

The veteran politician, who is referenced as "the man who saw tomorrow" said politics is a game played with common sense and not on sentiments, Prince Akakem postulated that Igbos will continue to be back benchers in Nigeria politics until they learn to play politics with their brain and not on tribal sentiments. He took a swipe at those calling for the cancelation of the presidential election because they lost, calling them enemies of progress. He also advised the LGA campaign council to adopt "Orji model" by setting up a taskforce for the 11th of March state assembly election.

Akakem further advised party members to focus on the benefits of an election victory instead of an immediate financial gratification. He admonished members to be proud of their party because the opposition envy and wants to be like them. He said moving forward, negative extra narrative of failure will not be tolerated because APC has won the presidential election, Senate and house of representatives convincingly, which is a clear testament that APC victory is not a fluke.

Other notable speakers on the high stake meeting include, Barr. Tony Umezuruike, the SOLAD of Owerri North LGA, Barr. Chima Anozie (Homebase), Hon. Kelechi Azuike, the LGA party chairman, Hon. Kelechi Ofurum, the APC candidate for Imo House of Assembly election among other leaders.

10/03/2023

Tinubu’s Advantage of Disadvantage

By Ray Ekpu

07 March 2023
The Guardian Newspaper

Any person who is a lover of books must endeavour to read a book titled: “David and Goliath” authored by Malcolm Gladwell, the famous author of Tipping Point. David and Goliath is a practical yet philosophical exploration of the Advantage of Disadvantage as well as the Disadvantage of Advantage.

I want to contextualise the recent presidential election bearing this philosophy in mind. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had said before the election that it was his turn to be President. It seemed like a statement of entitlement and that word emilokan has earned a place in our political vocabulary.

But he did not fully know what hurdles had been piled on his path from several angles. It was when he wore his battle gear and went into the field of battle that it dawned on him that he may have underestimated the roadblocks he needed to scale over on his way to A*o Rock Villa.
He may have been aware of the plot to shoehorn the Senate President Dr Ahmed Lawan into the office if all things were equal. But all things were not equal so the plot flopped because the god of fairness was on duty. If anyone deserved to be supported by President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed him it had to be Tinubu.
Tinubu it was who gathered together along with a few other persons, a number of rickety parties, stitched them together to form the all-conquering APC that had the vigour to defeat a sitting President in the presidential election of 2015. And Buhari became President.
And then came the currency issue, which was said to be targeting Tinubu, a kind of Frankenstein’s monster. If the currency matter imposed unbearable hardship of the people it was bound to reflect badly at the poll on whoever was the flagbearer of the ruling party. And in this case Tinubu would receive the anger of the voters at the polling booth.
Besides, the low rating of Buhari’s performance in office was likely to have, even remotely, a negative effect on Tinubu in the eyes of the voters. Well-informed voters would acknowledge that Tinubu held no office and could therefore not be held responsible for the faults of the Buhari government but other voters were likely to lump both the candidate and the government in power together and judge them harshly. That would affect Tinubu negatively.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had shown itself to be a fair organisation when it asked Christians to vote according to their conscience without necessarily bearing a religious bias. This seemed to give Tinubu, a Muslim who had chosen another Muslim, Shettima as his running mate, the all-clear.
Besides, his wife Oluremi is a pastor in one of the Pentecostal Churches, which is an indication that he is an open-minded person in matters of religion. Despite this, the religious hawks still thought that he did not give appropriate recognition to Christianity otherwise he would have chosen a Christian as his running mate.
They piled pressure both discreetly and blatantly for Christians not to vote for Tinubu. That may have had an impact on Tinubu’s defeat in Lagos by the Labour Party candidate Mr Peter Obi.
As the youths were massing up in various rallies for different parties in Lagos it may have crossed Tinubu’s mind that the EndSARS activists had made him a target of their attacks two years ago. They set ablaze some of his assets at his newspaper, The Nation and Television station, TVC. How would they respond to him this time that he is actually a candidate? Would they support or scorn him? That was a question to which there was no immediate answer but the fact that there was a youth revolution with Obi as the exponent posed an immediate danger to his electoral survival in Lagos and elsewhere.
Even the fact that the Igbos had been asking, fairly, for a President of Igbo extraction was a source of likely irritation to non-Igbo candidates. Some persons from Yorubaland including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Afenifere had been campaigning for an Igbo presidency with Peter Obi as the candidate. This viewpoint was likely to catch the attention of fair-minded persons in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos with the virtues of exceptionalism. Is that why Obi did very well in Lagos? Possibly.
As the campaign progressed Tinubu was being dragged to court by various persons for various reasons. In addition, some media, especially social media, were also openly hostile to Tinubu. His inability to appear at the town hall meetings organised by Arise Television was also a problem that expanded into an open confrontation between the news organisation and his campaign organisation. It took the intervention of elders in the media profession for the matter to be resolved but the residue of that conflict remained.
When the presidential election results for Lagos were released Obi of Labour Party stunned everyone by beating Tinubu and the candidate of the PDP Mr Atiku Abubakar. The results: APC 572, 606, LP 582, 454, NNPP 8, 442 and PDP 75, 750. Amazingly the results for the Senate and House of Representatives in Lagos largely favoured the APC. All the three APC senatorial candidates namely Ms Idiat Adebule, Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni and Tokunbo Abiru won the elections.
Also the APC won 20 of the 24 seats for the House of Representatives. So if the APC was so dominant in the two elections why was that dominance not extended to the presidential so that Tinubu who has been a fixture in Lagos for more than 20 years would win? My explanation is that the god of fairness never wanted him to win in Lagos so that it would not be said that he rigged it. You can only rig elections where you have reasonable control.
Without winning in Lagos the votes earned by Tinubu in other places look valid. Any talk about rigging in other places will look misplaced because if he did not rig in Lagos he would not be expected to rig in other places where he had no control. That is the advantage of disadvantage.
All of these problems were piled up on Tinubu’s path yet he won. That is the lesson from the battle between the giant Goliath and the shepherd boy David. The giant Goliath was six foot nine inches tall, wearing a bronze helmet and full body armour. He carried a javelin, a spear and a sword. An attendant preceded him, carrying a large shield. The giant asked the Israelites to choose one person to come and fight him. The shepherd boy David offered to confront the giant. And he won.
Mr Gladwell has explored several of such conflicts in his book and he believes that the act of facing imponderable odds in lopsided conflicts often produces greatness and beauty. Secondly, he thinks that we often misread such conflicts because the same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness.

The options are always these: shall I persevere or give up? Should I play by the rules or follow my own instincts? Or should I strike back or forgive? Tinubu did not give up; he followed his own instincts; he struck back with tenacity and doggedness. He did not give up in the midst of the crisis that he faced all through the campaign and election.
The crisis did not unfaze him. John F. Kennedy, the former President of the United States of America said something about the word “crisis” many years ago. He said that when written in Chinese the word “crisis” is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity. Tinubu saw the danger and ignored it. He also saw the opportunity and embraced it. That was the advantage of disadvantage.
Those who believe that it is God that chooses leaders must inevitably accept that Tinubu would not have been President-elect today if God had not sanctioned it. See the array of roadblocks put on his path yet he triumphed. There must have been three gods in his corner:
(a) The god of compensation that ensured that the man who fought for the actualisation of June 12 elections and who fought Sani Abacha from here and abroad for democracy must be compensated.
(b) The god of fairness – Nigerians from all parts of the country want to have a country that is united and inclusive. That is why they subscribed to the rotation of the presidency as an article of faith. After eight years of Buhari’s presidency it ought to move to the south. Southern Governors said so. Northern Governors said so but some politicians out of greed, said No to the idea. That is why the god of fairness did not favour them in the election.
(c) The god of reciprocity: For the fact that some persons tried to block Tinubu from accessing the presidency when it is actually President Buhari who in obedience to the god of reciprocity should have been the champion of Tinubu’s project, he was bound to be rewarded. These three gods were in Tinubu’s corner. That is why he won, warts and all. They gave him the advantage of disadvantage, a winning formula.