Nnamdi Kalu and an election year

I was actually sleeping when the supposed braodcast happened. I knew the time but felt it was ill timed. Now this is my take:

Political strategies are not different from war. The reason is that power is involved and the winner, like in Nigeria, takes all. This confirms clearly what I believed before PDP convention that only one candidate, out of d 12, has the structure and wherewithal to send PMB parking, come next year. I also knew that every other person that did not root for #Atiku had other personal selfish calculations: some wanted PDP to fail at the polls so that in 2023, they would have finished serving their term, and go for d big job; others wanted the VP to go to SW so that Senate Presidency will come to SE. The truth is that all these calculations were good for personal reasons but would jeopardize the best position of the SE as a zone.

Now came the issue of VP slot. All those that argued with me on that will remember I stated in clear unmistakable terms that a choice of VP from SW would cause heavy voters apathy and protest votes to APC, not only in SE, but wherever igbos live. And again, PDP got it right with #Obi.

The moment that happened, I noticed a noisy quiet in APC’s camp and I knew the knockout punch got APC. But in war, if you expect APC to do nothing and watch themselves get massively voted out of power next year, then you are a learner. Why do people read strategy? It is time to put all to work. After all, do not put them to work, APC loses; put them to work, it could be 50/50. So to work they went.

First, APGA fielded a Tiv man as a presidential candidate and #Ifeanyianiagor has been bombarding my media space with 4ibt8 ever since. I keep wondering can igbo votes alone deliver APGA? If Gbor wins, for instance, is he now an igbo man? Ok, he will now hand over to his deputy after 4 years! When was that agreement reached? Who was there? Can we see the document? Give us a link. The idea is to field a non fulani so that APGA diehards will divide igbo votes. If you still underestimate the power of divided votes, think Osun. PDP would have won by miles (though they still won narrowly) if Omisore and others had not taken out over 100,000 votes. In addition, if 4ibt8, who said Atiku will not do same?

The strategy was on course until Atiku chose Obi, all hell was let loose. It is not only a sellable combination, it will win. Then out of the blues, boom, Nnamdi Kanu resurfaces. Mission: to stop igbos from voting. Still, PMB benefits. And after Winning, he will not still treat us right and will not still hand over to us in 2023.

Since we should put our best foot forward, what should an intelligent people do? For now totally ignore Nnamdi Kanu and APGA. Do not insult them. Just pretend as if they do not exist. When we win, calculations and permutations will change. After all only interest is permanent in life (no permanent friend or enemy): the reason APC supporters now root for Kanu and PDP supporters, for the first time since his emergence, find themselves on d other side. Interest has changed and will change again. Ask football fans.

Conclusion
Ohaneze shd send a team to Atiku and PDP hierarchy to assure them that we are game. It shd be done ASAP. If Atiku senses apathy and drops Obi for a SS VP, we would have lost and recovery will be far.

Like I said, do not abuse APGA and Kanu, ignore them. Reason with them if you have the time and sanity. If they turn it to emotional and abusive game, ignore them. You that has PVC is the target, not Diehard IPOB members. They did not register and will not be voting anyway.

Finally, avoid violence as much as possible either before or during elections. Remember, the target is igbo votes. If they can’t get them, they can use state of emergency to ensure Atiku does not.

Let the 5% rise and ensure PMB gets nothing from SE/SS. He will also lose NC, a region he won in 2015. This leaves him with nothing but a possible defeat. We can do it, we can end a regime that could not appoint 1 igbo to head a security apparatchik. Make sure #AtikuObi wins. If I am not the cook I better be in the kitchen during the cooking. We have waited in the dinning hall too long.

Ask yourself what Zik would do! Ask yourself what the Yorubas would do. We have a real chance and the stakes are too high. We must not bungle our chance. I will vote; my family will vote. We will vote for #AtikuObi.

© Dr. Joseph C O Okolie
22/10/18
On twitter: joseph okolie @okoliejoseph