BUHARI AND THE IGBO ROUND II
During General Muhammadu Buhari's First Missionary Journey he overthrew a democratically elected President Shehu Shagari whose government, he accused of all manner of misdeeds. Also overthrown was Mr. Alex Ekwueme, Shagari's Vice President. He immediately restricted Shagari, the Head of State, whose government “did all those horrible things” to his home. As for the Vice President, GMB locked him up in Maximum Kirikiri Prison for ever. GMB never fully explained why he used different strokes for different folks. Many Igbo people believed then that Ekwueme's crime was daring as an Igbo to seek and win a higher office.
That was round I
In round II General Muhammadu Buhari now a democrat and therefore no more GMB is President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) has announced that “the election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as DEPUTY Senate President is unacceptable” while saying that he would work with the elected senate leadership. In other words the election of Saraki as the Senate President is OK but that of his deputy is unacceptable. This raises the million dollar question: Does PMB/GMB have an Igbo Problem? Is this a case of the more things change: the more they remain the same? Does the change from GMB to PMB make any difference?
In a mere 6 weeks in office PMB has sent the following messages to the Igbo:
- Michael Okpara the Premier of Eastern Nigeria does not qualify as a founding Father while all the rest of the premiers of Nigeria's Regions are so honored.
- The Igbo had no history like the Fulani, the Kanuri, the Yoruba, etc. Igboukwu civilization, Nri Kingdom, etc. are mere concoctions of deranged historians and archeologists like Dr. Shaw.
- Election of Saraki is acceptable but that of Ekweremadu is unacceptable, even when they were elected on the same date under the same rules by all the senate members present.
All these within the first 100 days? Does PMB/GMB have an IGBO Problem?
Inquiring minds want to know
Written by Benjamin Obiajulu Aduba.