While it remains speculation that former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would leave the ADC and pair up with Peter Obi as the President in the NDC, if it turns out to be true, whether from a position of weakness or strength, it is a move that would rewrite history and break the pattern and unwritten rules of this political era.
One of the deep emotional notions among Igbos is the suspicion, or feeling that they are treated as less Nigerian when it comes to ascending to the number one position in the land. This suggests that the idea of “One Nigeria” is a gimmick, with Igbos seemingly not fully integrated after the civil war, and with lingering stereotypes against them, especially amid the renewed agitation for Biafra.
Yet many citizens tend to affirm or legitimize what looks like the exclusion and marginalization of Igbos, often with defenses such as, “Igbos cannot be trusted to lead because of their perceived sympathy for Biafra, which makes all of them suspects, if not “guilty.”
There is also the idea of “born to rule,” with one region or group equally suspected of seeking dominance through political power and unwilling to do without it at the expense of others.
There is also the suspicion of “arrogance”, using population advantage to negotiate for superior terms with a sense of entitlement, either consciously or unconsciously.
And then, the prevailing political orientation suggests that those with certain political experience should not be subordinate, as an unwritten philosophy. The age difference also comes into play: Obi at 64 is five years younger than Kwankwaso, who is 69.
All these assumptions would collapse if Kwankwaso defies the rule and pattern by respecting the reality of Obi’s superior popularity across the country and by showing sensitivity to fairness, and to the emotions around it being the South’s turn, which makes the South East’s appeal prominent.
It doesn’t matter whether Kwankwaso’s decision is innocent; it comes with rewriting a noble story about the country in search of integration and winning back trust. It already presents high inspiration, regardless of the outcome: that an Igbo man is not inferior in Nigeria, and that it is senseless to claim he cannot be trusted or supported to be president.
Kwankwaso’s concession in allowing Obi to lead while taking the back seat tells a story of uncommon humility and solidarity that no tribe or human should be judged as superior, and one that would continue to reflect partnership in the Nigerian project. It shows that Igbos are not sinners and have many good friends after all.
Bagudu Mohammed
bagudumohammed15197@gmail.com
