20/12/2021
CAN OKOROCHA CALM THE SOUTH EAST AGITATIONS 2023?
BY Yusuf Aminu
Regional agitations are synonymous with Nigerian politics. As a matter of fact, they have always played a major role in determining the emergence of the President per time.
In 1999, agitations for MKO Abiola and the debacle of June 12 brought about an All - Yoruba showdown between Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae
The rumblings of the OPC also helped matters.
In 2010, the agitations of MEND and militants also gave rise to the emergence of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who under normal circumstances, had little or no chance at all.
In 2014, The emergence of Boko Haram predicated the shift of power to the north and the need to checkmate it. A former disciplined General, Muhammadu Buhari emerged at the helm of affairs to stem the tide.
So it is no surprise, that the agitations in the southeast , the IPOB and calls for Biafra would most likely lead to the emergence of a South Eastern President, but the benefactor cannot just be anybody from the South East.
The level of mistrust and misconceptions between the core north and the South East is second to none.
The civil war left both regions wary and weary.
The north can only support a South Easterner who, in their opinion, has no vendetta and no vengeance at heart; one who can not lead another secession. It must be one who will bring about a fairer, united Nigeria where resources are distributed equitably.
Mere campaign manifestos or oratory cannot gain such trust.
It takes a proven track record of supporting, working with and investing in the north to gain that trust and only Senator Rochas Okorocha fits into that bill amongst the other prominent politicians from the south east.
Born and educated in the noŕth, he has had several free education secondary schools in the north and other investments for over 2 decades. South west and south south have an evidence of his investments too.
No South Easterner has more traditional titles in the north (and that by a far margin; Dan Jekan Sokoto and Jagaban Lafia readily comes to mind ). Recently, Okorocha went for a private audience with the Emir of Daura (the progenitor of the Hausas) and the Emir instantly gave him the traditional title of Maga Alheri Hausa (great giver to the entire Hausa people), Unplanned : Unsolicited
Just the fruit of many years of brotherhood and trust.
No Southern politician speaks Hausa more fluently than him. He is seen at even huge Islamic festivals from time in the north yet a devout Christian (with chapels dotting anywhere he stays). Little wonder, he is called in a jocular way “ Okoro-Hausa “ in some circles.
What looks like a caterpillar now may metamorphose to a beautiful butterfly by 2023.
