Each time a voice emanates from the east,it is either to settle a certain fear or give a direction that ends up saving life, brewing hope and solving problem(s). History has it that when there was a problem in Abraham's home like what we are having in Nigeria today,Haggar,the mother of Ishmael who was at the center of the problem was sent away with the toddler. She cried and left Abraham's home. Her final abode was the desert where she had no or little chance of survival.
Typical with the voices that always resonate from the east,when she had nothing to feed self and the toddler who almost died of famine,a voice resonated from the east. The voice brought calm,hope, settled Haggar's curiosity and reignited life in the bewildered nature of the duo.
As calm as the voice was,it sounded firm and reassuring. It gave the direction. It changed the situation of Haggar and Ishmael. No wonder our Muslim brothers do not joke with their brothers that settle in the eastern firmament of the earth! Why is it so? Because they remember that the voice that saved their forebears emanated from the east.
This however says how impactful and important are voices that always emanate from eastern regions.
In Nigeria,it can not be different. While other governors of eastern region of Nigeria have hidden under their gubernatorial cloak to incite their subjects against the Nigerian government,an unpatriotic maneuvering that has almost set Nigeria on fire,one particular voice has deafeningly condemned all forms of insurgence against the Nigerian state.
This voice has not only condemned this cruel unpatriotic voyage,but has pragmatically led from the front by galvanizing and boosting the courage of security formations to fight the cultivation of the war against Nigerian sovereignty,not only in his state where he is the governor,but in other Southeastern states.
It is only detribalised leaders that think and act this way. And in today's Nigeria,all what we need is a detribalised president. Also,we should ensure that all the federating units are given the opportunity to have a taste of the presidency if truly we want to institutionalize peace and all-inclusive political participation in Nigeria.
It is true that at the advent of this present democratic dispensation,Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,a man from the Southwest region of the country was given a chance to run for the plumb job. He had eight rosy years in Aso Rock before handing over to Late president Musa Yar'Adua,a northerner who did two years before his demise. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan of South-South extraction completed Yar'Adua's term before seeking his. Providently,he did a single term before handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari who remains one of the best presidents Nigeria has ever produced.
As a northerner, President Buhari's tenure will come to a glorious end in May 29,2023. It is therefore fair for power to be ceded to a region that has not gotten a chance since the advent of this present democratic dispensation as stated before.
People of northern extraction have every reason to be wary of a Southeast presidency because,like one popular adage says,you can't sharpen a knife and hand it over to an enemy to be your security and expect to see the twilight of another day. It is a common way of self preservation.
The call for seccession by some irredentist of Southeastern extraction is enough to fuel northern's suspicion, anxiety and curiosity as what would be their fate if Nigeria happens to have a Southeast-grown president come 2023.
Considering the fact that a voice like Engr. Dave Umahi comes from the east to settle all concerns and curiosity as 2023 rolls in, should North or any other region in Nigeria have any reason to worry? The answer is NO.
This issue would have been loathed if the east didn't have a man like Engr. Dave Umahi who has conspicuously portrayed leadership, statesmanly mien, detribalised disposition and every other feature that suggests that Nigeria would be in saved hands if trusted with the plumb job.
Engr. Dave Umahi is a blessing to Nigeria. The works he has done in Ebonyi state can rightly authenticate his mastery of service delivery.
The voice from the east is resonating. It is subtle and calm,but the surest hope for a better Nigeria.Let's go for Engr. David Umahi,a man that will foster unity,progress and love in the Nigerian firmament.
*This piece was written and sponsored by the media team of SOUTH-SOUTH SOLIDARITY AND MOBILIZATION INITIATIVE*
