It is no news of the growing agitation of the younger generation to retire the old politicians of Igede extraction. By retirement, it means they should not be at the corridor of power or sit at the table where policies are made or dine with the powers that be and share in the common wealth or the cake that is meant for Igede nation. The main reason according to the vanguard of that concept is that they have failed to deliver and lead us to a desired destination. According to them still, what is supposed to be for all to develop our infrastructure is cornered to what is called personal stomach infrastructure.
I write today as someone who is not opposed to the retirement project at all. I can even serve in the retirement planning committee if I am appointed; but what am opposed to is the cynical attempt by arm chaired, weakened warriors to shove their own sociopolitical agenda down our throat irrespective of the cost. A retirement project not based on reason but on appetite, not on principle but on politics.
But before the retirement, let us consider the following carefully. First, politics in Nigeria is built on – population and nobility. For Igede nation we are minority inside minority, so what we are left with is nobility. I want the old generation gone, but what kind of replacement is available now? If our method of replacement is different from our Tiv and Idoma brothers that we are sharing the same state, can our new breed of politicians meet shoulder to shoulder with them at the table where our common wealth is shared? Frankly, I want the old generation gone, but I still want them alive with us, just like the Paul Unongo, the Ameh Ebute. Not like the brand in Igede where the old politicians are pursued to be killed or hunted into the bush as if they are antelopes or where their properties or cars are destroyed, and our generals will be hiding in the bush in their own land all in the name of retirement project. Young people now without shame insult those elders face to face or in social media platforms which is alien to our culture and values. I believe in not too young to run, I still believe in too old and still alive.
I had a discussion with a young man last month when I was at home briefly, he was boasting of the retirement agenda and said that it is a done deal and that it is at all cost. Then he cited example of what happened that saw Gabriel Suswam and Abba Moro as senators, at that point I discovered the folly in the whole discussion, Senator Suswam was a governor of Benue for eight years, and Senator Moro was a Federal minister. These are good replacement of the old breed. The way he was flexing his muscles, I kept that analysis in my mind and had to leave the scene very fast.
I want the old politicians gone, but let us know those that will replace them, because we are minority, our only consideration will be the quality and nobility.
I honestly want the old politicians gone, but let us know the content of character of those to replace them, what have been their moral values in their communities, how was their handling of wine, money and women or men been. What is their influence sphere outside with other notable politicians, can they walk to any office that policies are formed and be welcomed. Do they have enough contacts with relevant authorities or even their phone numbers? Do they still need the old politicians to furnish them with details or introduce them to relevant people, if we need the old politicians in any form, then where are we heading to?
For those of us who seek a more just and progressive Igede nation for our children, let us send a clear moral message to our youths as we prepare for Local Government Council poll. We ought not and will not travel that path blindly.
Before we retire the old politicians!!!
Dated: 5-2-2020
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