PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE DEAD
Posted by Asiegbu Ugochukwu | 9 years ago | 3,421 times
The Igbo, to state the fact, have respect for the dead. I am an Igbo man, so I know what I am talking about. And it becomes heart wrenching when one is seen playing politics with the dead, especially when it has to do with outstanding personalities in the land, who had gone the way of all mortals. When some person has moved further to do so, there is need to greet his action with outright criticism, not to drag his name in the mud, but to take correction to his door step. Of course, one may not, in several occasions, know when he has derailed. So it is others who will point out his shortcomings.
Obviously, the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, had swept at the grave of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Owelle of Onitsha). Plus, he complained against Peter Obi, erstwhile Governor of Anambra State, and Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the incumbent Governor of Imo State, saying that they defected to the PDP and APC respectively. Should defections call for such utterances? Also, I had heard APGA had complained to the spirit of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu as well. But what I don’t understand is the very reason why he had championed such visits. Why playing politics with the dead? What has he achieved by reporting Peter Obi and Rochas Okorocha to the spirit of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe? Does he want the dead to strike them to death? Or is he interested in good publicity hence the denigration? I criticize his action in the strongest terms.
Further, defections shouldn’t call for witchcraft, for that is the interpretation of his action. In Igbo land, when you report a living being to the dead, you have, indirectly, demanded for punishment and justice. And the dead could be careless when meting out punishments. So I ask, for the hundredth time, why did he do that? If APGA, or her National Chairman, thinks the defections shouldn’t have been, they should prove to them that APGA has come to stay. I think the dead should be allowed to rest in peace.
More to the point, Senator Ngige of all people failed because he contested against a product of APGA in Anambra State. That means that the people of Anambra State still have great respect and love for the party because that was Ojukwu’s before he kicked the bucket. I had wanted a situation where APGA governors could have joined forces together and win another governorship seat in one of the eastern states, but Rochas’ defection to the APC has destroyed such mind blowing picture. However, his status as a member of the APC, most likely, will affect his re-election into power despite all that he has done for his people. Well, that’s his [Rochas’] problem, and he should try and fix it.
As far as Anambra politics is concerned, Chief Victor Umeh is a force to reckon with, but, unfortunately, he has crossed the line and should be called to order. I want to believe that it pains him most because their outstanding members have left them for other parties. But that shouldn’t have led him into involving the dead. Since he wants to contest for a senatorial seat in Anambra central, he should play politics and win the election. I will be glad to see him in the Senate after elections next year. Good luck to Chief Victor Umeh, but the dead shouldn’t be involved in politics, because the Igbo have respect for the dead.
Asiegbu Ugochukwu wrote from Aba
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