(OPINION) Anambra Election And IPOB’s Sit At Home Order: Where Do We Go From Here? – By George O. Emetuche

The truth is that in all these, whether sit at home on Mondays or sit at home on other days; the people of Ala Igbo suffers. I am no longer complaining about the economic losses; my worry now is the trauma this incessant sit at home orders is causing the common man in Igbo land. I was in Enugu and Owerri recently where I had discussions with some individuals on the recent happenings in Ala Igbo. The feedback I got depicted a people living in fear! Ejiro Ujo Malu Ndi Igbo. The average Igbo man is courageous.

There is no stability without solidarity and no solidarity without stability. ~Jose Manuel Barroso.

 

I read about the sit at home order by IPOB from 5th November, as a way to make authorities release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on or before 4th November.

I also watched on TV – the show of solidarity the day Mazi Nnamdi Kanu went to court some days ago. I saw respected former Anambra State Governor, Dr Ezeife and other prominent Igbo leaders in court. This signifies solidarity of a people.

In my space as a writer and professional, I have written on several occasions that the FG should follow the path of political solution and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. The FG should go to the negotiation table with opposing voices to find a lasting solution to the recent problems facing the country.
The price for peace is priceless. No price is too expensive for peace.
The nation is in a state of Unquantifiable
Quagmire, it is wise to calm situations down.

The concept of Communication talks about the sender and receiver of the message. Once the message goes out, and it is well understood without hitches; it is said to be effective. This is the situation the sender of the message gets a feedback from the receiver. This is a simple scenario that play out in communication.

Communication is a vital instrument in life. Humans communicate. Animals communicate. Machines communicate too!

Having said that, I want to plead with IPOB to apply wisdom and tread with caution in their communication – so that we don’t sell fear as a product to our people. Ndi Igbo Na Ebizikwa Na Ujo.

Firstly, it was Mondays sit at home order that was later hijacked by third force and hoodlums who take advantage of the order to unleash pains in Ala Igbo.

The matter that should worry IPOB is why their directive to stop the sit at home order on Mondays wasn’t effective. The obvious reason is that another group may have hijacked the order because of reasons best known to them. There’s no other way to conclude this.

The truth is that in all these, whether sit at home on Mondays or sit at home on other days; the people of Ala Igbo suffers. I am no longer complaining about the economic losses; my worry now is the trauma this incessant sit at home orders is causing the common man in Igbo land. I was in Enugu and Owerri recently where I had discussions with some individuals on the recent happenings in Ala Igbo. The feedback I got depicted a people living in fear! Ejiro Ujo Malu Ndi Igbo. The average Igbo man is courageous.

Please, I plead that Ndi IPOB tone down on the sit at home orders, Ona Emebizikwa Ife! If care is not taking, we will see a situation someone will announce sit at home order on Christmas and New Year Holidays. That is, Ndi Igbo anakwana Christmas!

We can’t continue to inflict severe pain on our land in the name of protest. There are better ways to protest. We can’t set our house on fire in the name of protest.
You and I know that Ndi Abuja may not bow to this pressure of sit at home; we may end up inflicting more pains on ourselves! What concerns Onye Abuja with the woman selling Ogiri at Ogbete Market in Enugu, or the woman selling Okazi at Eke Onunwa Market in Owerri? Note that we are practicing Federal System of Government where power is centered, we should note this in our actions. We can’t continue to destroy our land because we want Abuja to bow. Nobody does that! Let’s be more strategic.

Onye Ndi Ilo Gbara Gburugburu Na Eche Ndu Ya Nche Mgbe Nile. We need to be wise.

I have also suggested an enlarged town hall meeting where political leaders and other stakeholders will come together to discuss solutions. We need smart collective solutions to this mess.

As an Igbo professional, I have used my platforms to promote the Igbo brand whenever and wherever it is necessary.
I am proud of my Igboness, so I can’t sit on the fence and watch us go the wrong way. We have a duty to add our voices at a time like this.

I have always said that a wrong strategy will eventually lead to a wrong result. As a scholar of Business Strategy, I know that the wrong tactics affect the the strategy negatively.

Let me come back to Anambra Election. I am worried that IPOB is talking about sit at home on election day in Anambra. When are we going to learn? I remember how this type of order affected Ndi Igbo in the last election. The first directive was that people shouldn’t get their voters cards. It was already late when the second directive came for people to go and vote. How do you vote without voter’s card? You see the effect of communication. Please let’s stop confusing our people.

I almost wept when I read about the sit at home order on election day. Must we touch the fundamental right of our people to show that we are protesting? The right to vote and the right to be voted for is a fundamental right issue. We should respect it please.

Elections in Ala Igbo should be a period to speak with one voice. We should allow people to express their choices. Please allow the elections to hold.

Look at the quality of candidates contesting to be Governor in Anambra State. You will agree with me that they are all qualified to context for the office of the president!

Biko, Nnata Banu. This sit at home on election day is an ill-conceived strategy that may not end well. The unpopular candidate may win the election if things continue this way.
When people fail to come out to vote, Ndi Election Rigging Experts will take over! Ibe Anyi Dikwanu wise!

Whether you have five people on election day or one million people, one thing is certain; Aga Akpokwa Result; there must be a winner! Ndi INEC must announce a winner after a free and fair election.

Let me ask this sincere question. Suppose you enforce the sit at home order on election day and the unpopular candidate takes advantage of the situation and wins, what will happen next?
Let me ask another question. Do you think you have done great favour to Ndi Anambra when the popular candidate loses because of the sit at home order? Think about it.

I believe that many Igbo people will support a show of solidarity any day Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is going to court. I will show solidarity too We can show peaceful and sensible solidarity that will have a great effect.

I therefore plead that IPOB review their position in Anambra Election. They can’t worsen the already bad situation. Allow people to choose their leaders.

I also suggest that IPOB should as a matter of urgency release a statement that will withdraw the sit at home order on election day in Anambra before the third force and hoodlums hijack the order. I have observed this trend. IPOB must not make another mistake this time.

True influence is not forced. True influence is earned. Leadership is influence, so says legendary John C Maxwell. The right thing to do is to stay with the people. You can’t promote anti people policy and still claim you are fighting for the people. There are actions that are not people friendly; and I think the sit at home order on Mondays and Election day in Anambra aren’t. IPOB, please correct this error that is about to happen in Anambra.

Let me close with my usual question when I teach leadership.
It goes thus:
The boy following the man with the gun; is he following the man because of the gun, or is he following the man because of the man?
Answer: if the boy is following the man because of the gun, it is forced influence, and not ideal.
If the boy is following the man because of the man, it is the ideal type of influence.

Ka Anyi Nwere Ire Anyi Guo Eze Anyi Onu.
Agwo Nokwa Na Akirika.

May our land see peace and joy again, amen.

Igbo Amaka.

 

George O. Emetuche