SHOW OF SHAME
From Eze Dr. Harris
Last week, I did promise to join my Igbo people on the 28th February 2015, under the umbrella of Non-Indigenous Traditional Leaders of South-West in a political meeting to determine our true stance in the current political dispensation. Sure I made do my promise, but it was rather a show of shame. Eventually, saw myself in a gathering unbecoming of a true Royalty, an ugly development which expresses nothing but how some of our people in South-West Nigeria have proudly accepted politics of the stomach as a norm.
Just as the supposed kings and queens were busy jostling for PDP's trailer load of rice, I watched with disdain the conscious desecration of Igbo traditional institution. Honestly, I hid my face in deep regret, intermittently, slapping hard my head in total discomfort, and terribly disappointed at the ugly trend of events. It sadly exposes how one could unsuspectingly subject his intelligence to flagrant abuse.
As the fired-up hustle to grab PDP's largesse raged, Mr. Jimi Agbaje the PDP's governorship candidate in Lagos State arrived at the palace of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos the convener of the political meeting. His arrival was greeted with another round of struggle as people clustered around him seeking for recognition and gratification. JKA's Campaign jingles rendered in Igbo Language rented the air.
The highly elated politician, while addressing the Royal Fathers kept screaming that he would not “deport” Igbos if elected as the Governor of Lagos state. That overtly formed his campaign slogan for the event. Disappointingly, the gentleman did not tell us what he would like to do for Igbos, but the overzealous crowd was busy chanting “everybody loves Jimi Agbaje”.
In his response, the Eze Ndigbo of Lagos state, Igwe H.N.Ohazuluike assured his guest of his readiness to mobilize all Igbos in Lagos State to vote for President Jonathan and Jim Agbaje.
Frankly, I was not harassed by the Royal Father's declaration, but concerned about the plight of the crowd who under the scourging sun had gathered to receive the PDP's Guber Candidate,the philanthropists whose trailer load of rice divided my people into several warring groups, Ndi Eze versus Ndi Ichie, and Ndi Umuada versus Ndi umu agbaho,Umuokorobia versus ndi okenye, not forgetting the street urchins” area boys and women who were seen threatening fire and brimstone if they failed to part with the gift from their brother. Visibly written on their faces were anger and disaffection. They had one thing in common, and asking obviously one all important question “where is my own share of the rice now…..abi una wan chop alone?” Little or no attention was paid to the chief host who pleaded to all to be patient that everybody must go home with rice.
While the show of shame lasted, I kept reminding myself of the popular saying”hunger does not have a friend”. Women in their hundreds split in groups, adorned in full traditional attires were in a fierce battle with some shameless Royalties all in a bid to grab a bag of rice. The pandemonium that followed saw the store keeper spraying insecticides on the surging crowd, which resulted to stampede causing them to scamper for safety. But that was short-lived because the determined crowd has vowed to go home with the PDP's Largesse.
Only a few well behaved and respected Royal Fathers were seen registering their disappointment at the turn of events. They wondered why they were invited to endorse a politician who could only show gratitude with just a bag of rice per monarch.
Having witnessed firsthand as it were, the shameful act of some prominent Igbos who would rather align with the political party that subjects them to a rigorous and inhuman treatment before they are fed, right there on the spot, I recanted on my earlier decision to partner with my Igbo people in their effort to promote politics of the stomach which is being championed by PDP Candidates. I hereby make bold to mention that my integrity and conscience cannot be blackmailed with a bag of rice or mere pittance. Consequently I wished and prayed never again would one yield only to be lured into a political gathering tailored to play on a vast majority of people's intelligence.
When political elites are strong advocates of politics of the stomach, what happens to the masses after buying off their votes? If politics is all about paying for votes, then count me out. If politics is all about ridiculing a people's culture and tradition, don't play it around me. If politics is all about desecrating the sacred nature of Igbo traditional institution, you will never have my audience and support. If politics is all about making the masses vulnerable, then prepare for a massive failure.
My candid advice to the generality of Nigerians is “hunger does not kill when it is known that food is on fire” don't eat today and forget about tomorrow. Don't eat today and let your children go hungry tomorrow. As for me, I am yet to grasp one strong reason why I should be found disloyal to the cause of bringing about the desired change in Nigeria. Remember, I told you “I am a Buharist” no apologies.
The post SHOW OF SHAME appeared first on Pointblank News .