Modestus Umenzekwe
History was made on February 27, 2019, when a new Nigeria was born. It was the day the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proclaimed President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the race keenly contested by about 73 presidential candidates. It was an election keenly contested by political and professional bigwigs such that critics said Mr. President had no chance of making it.
At the end, President Buhari won. He became a political giant-killer, so to say. Indeed, February 16 and 23 have reminded me of an incident that occurred when my good friend had a protracted case at a high court in Anambra State. It was a land case that lasted over 12 years. On the day judgment was to be delivered, on the 16th of the month, my friend’s daughter died. Before her death, the girl prophesied from her sick bed that my friend was going to be a victor in that case. My friend never took the prophesy seriously. However, when my friend got to the court on the supposed judgment date, the case was adjourned to 23rd of that month. That day was his daughter’s birthday. On that 23rd, my friend arrived at the court. His matter was first mentioned for judgment. And the judgment was successfully delivered in favour of my friend as prophesied by his daughter.
Therefore, the two dates, February 16 and 23 remain the greatest birthday of Nigeria. Yes, that day 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, reaffirmed Mr. President for a second term. The election was to be held on February 16, but it was postponed to February 23. I make bold to say that the two dates remain a watershed in this country’s survival.
During the President’s campaign in 36 states of the federation, he remained as stable as ever, contrary to what critics said about his health. That showed them what great Zik told his critics that no condition is permanent. I was most grateful to God for leading President Buhari round the country successfully for the electioneering. And I want to thank former chairmen of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who was in charge when President Buhari broke the jinx of serial contestation for the presidency and losing. He had lost three times but, on the fourth attempt, with APC, he won.
I want to also thank our current national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, who piloted the affairs of the party when President Buhari won reelection. The in-fighting and distractions in APC at that time could have made him lose focus but he remained steadfast till victory was achieved. Above all, our revered leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who worked tirelessly to ensure victory.
I will not fail to mention the President’s men who worked hard to achieve this great feat. They include the Chief of Staff, the National Security Adviser, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Lt. Gen. Dambazzau, Minister of Interior, and director-general of the Presidential Campaign Organisation. Others are the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, the Attorney-General of the Federation, who has made history in that office, and of course, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), the presidential spokesman of the campaign organisation.
Mr. President made history by defeating the clique of retired generals and former Presidents, who wanted him out.
Look at those who defected from APC. They met their political Waterloo in the PDP. Mr. President has proved that the hood does not make the monk. The multitude of people at rallies does not make victory. President Buhari’s main opponent showed large crowds at rallies in the North-West and North Central. But the votes showed that the crowd was hired, as the votes recorded did not reflect it. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, lost his constituency.
President Buhari has made several people in the country without taking any glory. Nobody believed that it was through him that Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili of the blessed memory was discovered and eventually she became director-general of NAFDAC. Akunyili earlier worked with Buhari at PTF. Before Ikemba Nnewi died, he spent two days in Daura. Mr. President has good relationships with Igbo leaders, including the Great Zik’s son, Owelle Chuma Azikiwe. It is that relationship that got Zik’s mausoleum completed. Today, the Azikiwe family is most grateful to Mr. President.
I recall his visit to Inosi Onira Lodge of Azikiwe in September 2014, when he came for the burial of his former Attorney-General, Chief Chike Offodile. I and one of Chuma Azikiwe’s revered friends, Chief Joe Ifedobi (Okosisi Akpo), were there when Buhari said: “Insha Allah, I shall complete this mausoleum when I became President of Nigeria and also build the Second Niger Bridge.” All these have come to pass.
I want to thank Governor Willie Obiano for standing on his feet as an Igboman to pay back to Mr. President the gratitude of making him to sail through for his second tenure. Of course, when he was on tour of Abakaliki in 2017, somebody I don’t want to mention his name again reminded him, through his Chief of Staff, and Mr. President acted swiftly. I must say that there was nothing on ground for the burial of Chuma Azikiwe when he died. But Obiano made everything possible. I salute Obiano for paying gratitude back.
As I continue to congratulate Mr. President for his landmark victory, I want to warn those contesting the presidential poll result to be careful. In 1979, there was a highly celebrated case of two-third majority issue. Chief Richard O. Akinjide (SAN) was leading a team of lawyers perfect in municipal and other serious legal jurisprudence for Alhaji Shehu Shagari of National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and Chief G.O.K. Ajayi (SAN) of blessed memory, a highly celebrated legal mind versed in constitutional law, was leading for Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo (SAN). That case shook this country to its foundation. Honourable Justice Atanda Fatai Williams, leading other highly celebrated minds in the Bench, including Honourable Justice Nnamani, Honourable Justice Akunne Chukwudifu Oputa (the Socrates), Honourable Justice Sanusi, Justice G.S. Showeimo, Honourable Justice Uwais and other judges looked into merits and demerits of the case and gave judgment in favour of Shagari of NPN. The justices, however, warned about the consequences of such legal tussle.
• Umenzekwe wrote via [email protected].