It pains me, it worries me and it disturbs me how some so called Igbo leaders would gather to conspire against the political progress of their own fellow Igbo sons and brothers. It is despicable to see some Igbo leaders tearing their political clothes of integrity and credibility before the public and wearing clothes of disaffection, disunity, clannishness and personal interest all because of political positions and appointments.

Our brand new President Muhammadu Okechukwu Buhari has told anybody who cares to listen that he would make his choice on the appointment of ministers, ambassadors, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), special advisers, etc., without any interference. He has openly told the whole world that “He is for everybody and he is for nobody.” President Buhari has started announcing and making his appointments public, and he is now set to announce who the Secretary to the Government of Federation would be. It has been reportedly said that the post would be given or zoned to the South-East. This is the crux of the matter.

So many permutations have been making rounds since the post of SGF was reportedly zoned to South-east. Many names have been springing up from the South-east for that position. Among the names so far in circulation or contention, it appears that the name of the former Governor of old Abia State and immediate past National Chairman of the Defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), His Excellency Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, is the most credible. Bearing this fact in their minds, some political petite mafias have ganged up against this innocent, disciplined, well-cultured and responsible man, with the sole aim of destroying his chances. These fraudulent political leaders are presently using all manner of tactics and tricks such as blackmail,

intimidation, handshake across the Niger, hobnobbing with the opposition PDP, etc., in order to frustrate this innocent man.

Let me open the President’s mind and eyes on this serious matter: Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, in a bid to ensure that his in-law and former secretary to the state government (SSG), Prof Anthony Onwuka picks or secures the position of the SGF, has embarked on what could be termed “rough game,” and “mudslinging” on the person and personality of Dr Onu.

First, Okorocha allegedly approached the PDP Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr Dave Umahi and enlisted his support on the plot against Dr Onu, who is also from Ebonyi State. He reportedly told Umahi that Dr Onu would pose a big threat and opposition to his governance of Ebonyi State if appointed SGF. The Ebonyi State Governor quickly bought the dummy and joined the “No SGF appointment for Dr Onu crusade.” Okorocha also reportedly approached the immediate past governor of Rivers State and told him that he (Okorocha) would support him (Amaechi) to secure an appointment in Buhari’s cabinet, but he should assist him to stop Dr Onu from emerging the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

And pronto, Amaechi has also reportedly joined the crusade. They have reportedly recruited several people in this wicked plot against Dr Onu. Also, they have gone to the South-west to seek the support of the national leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in this project. Social media, sms, text messages and newspaper platforms have been adopted as a means also to paint Dr Onu black.

The question right-thinking Nigerians should ask is: Why this madness and wickedness against Dr Onu?

Onu has remained in the opposition for the past 16 years of this democracy, while the people who have ganged up against him now have jumped from party A to party B to party C to party D, and back to party

A again. They can be described as political prostitutes and fair weather politicians. But Onu has remained very consistent. This shows that he is a trustworthy fellow and can be trusted with any position that is as sensitive as that of SGF. What then is Okorocha’s interest in this game? In Imo State, he has all his in-laws in his cabinet. Now he wants to step up Prof Onwuka by all means. Imo State is now the personal estate of Okorocha. I have nothing against Anwuka, but the manner and way Okorocha is using him in trying to upstage another man is totally ungodly. I really do not want to talk, else I will tell President
Buhari Governor Okorocha’s real intention in this whole drama. In Imo, we know who Onwuka is. President Buhari should make inquiries.

The SGF office needs a cool-headed man that is not controversial. If President Buhari has made up his mind to appoint Onu, then let him go ahead and confirm him. No Shaking! He should not allow people with questionable characters and treasury looters to manipulate his mind. Few days ago I wrote an article entitled ‘Ministerial appointment: In defence of Buhari’s decision.’

Please see attached or google. I still stand by the content of that article. President Buhari should be very careful, else his cabinet will be balkanised, and his promise to fight corruption will end up in smoke and as a political talk. Those fighting now to have their stooges appointed in various positions in Buhari’s cabinet are people with container loads of skeletons in their cupboard and are afraid of being exposed and dealt with. Onu is a man with no stains, at least figuratively speaking. Those fighting him are merely chasing the wind. He will emerge stronger, greater and mightier to the glory of Almighty God, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

•Citizen Iwuoha is a former Senior Special Assistant on Media, and immediate past Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, Imo State House of Assembly, Owerri. Photo shows Ogbonnaya Onu.

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