By Uche Mbah
The apparent success of the recognition of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, the late Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, has sparked off search for the placation of the Igbos to corner their votes in 2019. It has been widely believed that the honor bestowed on MKO and Gani Fawehinmi were geared toward wooing the Yoruba race for the 2019 election that Buhari has declared himself a major contender. Though there has been euphoria in the south west over the award, the general consensus is that the South west are aware of the political undertone of the awards, but decided to use the opportunity to get as many demands in as possible. Already, the APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has Take Abiola’s first Son, Kola, to a closed door meeting at Aso Rock; a move that analysts believe is geared towards the possible appointment into his government. It is believed that Tinubu wants to use the Euphoria to get the most out of a presidency that sidetracked him after he helped bring it to power.
But it does not necessarily translate to votes in 2019.
Meanwhile, fired by the perceived success f the awards, high level consultations are on to determine what will sway the south east the way June 12 had swayed the South west. The region has more difficulties since there is a general apathy and belief that the Presidency has a rabid hatred for the region. Even Humphrey Nwosu, the National electoral commission Umpire that mid-wifed the aborted June 12 election results was not honored but was invited to witnessed turncoats like Babagana Kingigbe honored. He politely jetted out of the country and sent apologies.
It becomes difficult as every possible move revolves around the Biafran question, which the government of the day does not want to hear of. “It was one of the topics on the agenda in the last Security council meeting, but they seem not to have made any headway towards a resolution, ”a presidency source told this magazine, citing the fact that there has become increased presence of infrastructural development, but that is not making the desired impact.
Recall that the Igbos have been at loggerheads with the presidency resulting in various military operations. This has resulted in the disappearance of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The Igbos has been marginalized in appointments by this government.
Indications are that the South east may be jettisoned for the appeasement of the South-south, a people that has the capability of armed mischief.
