By Desmond Mgbo
Chief Chi Nwogu is a prominent business man in Northern Nigeria. He was the immediate past President General of Igbo Delegates Assembly in the 19 Northern states and Abuja. The former chairman of the Igbo Community Association in Kano, in this interview speaks on various issues.
In Nigeria today, one of the topical discussions is the issue of the creation of state police. Will you settle for a state police?
For me, I have no problem with the idea of a state police on the condition that the governors would not abuse the system. I mean they should not use the system to chase their enemies and political rivals out of town. These governors, we have had a taste of what they can do with power. The state electoral commissions under their charge are a huge example. Nobody outside the ruling party wins elections in any states in Nigeria. So back to my argument, I feel that the merits of a state police are compelling and we should try it out. I feel that the local people know the bushes, they know the boys causing havocs and they are in a better position to get results. They will also ensure that nobody hides inside their bushes to harm their local people in the name of herdsmen. There is no doubt that the present central police that we are operating has a lot of challenges. For me, it is bogus, too bureaucratic, and not bendable to swift action. I think that the surge of kidnapping, banditry, theft, killings, rape in farms by herdsmen, robbery and all sort of madness can be checked with the emergence of state police! I must add however that many states in the Northern Nigeria are already operating a state police in various forms while discouraging others from doing same. In many Northern states, you have a local vigilance group called Hisbah. They perform all forms of security tasks including traffic control at events, arrests of persons, raids on beer palour and hotels, search big and small vehicles on highways, control prices in local settings among others.What the Southwest is operating is clearly a state police at the regional level. It is now left for others like states in the South East to adopt the system, operationalize it and make it official so as to help check the regional security issues that are threatening the East.
The performance of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last Presidential Election was outstanding. Although the next election is still to come, what are your hopes and impressions of his future electoral chances?
I think that from all measurements, Peter has done well for himself and good for the image of Ndigbo and of course for all Nigerians who believe in his vision of a better Nigeria. I am talking as a Nigerian. I need to stress this point at this juncture to avoid the danger of being labeled a tribal commentator. Peter is now an asset of the Nigerian democratic space. I feel that what is to be done now is for him to sustain the tempo and to steer clear of efforts by his opposition to bring him down. That is typical of Nigeria politics. I like the fact that he has been opening up himself to the rest of Nigeria. And has participated in various events and ceremonies- tragic and happy – across faiths and tribes in Nigeria. I remember very well that he spent some time with Muslim Ummah during the fasting and Sallah period. This is the way to go. By coming closer to people up North, he would endear himself to them. He would also remove the fears they hold against Ndigbo generally – because I believe that it is the fear, and not hate, that is responsible for the distrust that exists between the people of the East and their fellow countrymen in the core – North. I want to see Peter Obi in Kano and Kaduna and other places, to see him in Kano more often, like President Tinubu did before the 2023 elections. Let me tell you something. You see Tinubu was coming to Kano for every occasion, both personal and official before the presidential campaigns proper. And that assisted him to secure the kind of votes he got from the states. I will also urge his supporters to continue to win more friends and loyalists for their principal. They should not project him as their own alone but as belonging to all. This is the time to respect other regions, tribes and religions in Nigeria. They should not allow themselves to be dragged into avoidable controversy with any group or interest, they should remain focused until the time is ripe.
There are concerns about the size of Igbo business interests outside Igbo land. Quite often, these businesses usually come under threat once there is a potential or real relationship issue between Ndigbo and their hosts. What is your take to this to this call to come back home?
I am a businessman of many years standing and one that has been doing my business outside Igbo land for long. So I am used to this call or this expectation urging us to come back home. But what are the challenges we face? First what is the nature of the business environment in Igbo land today? Answer me, you are a journalist. You see, you cannot just move your business to a location or situate it in an environment where there is almost total absence of security. The situation at home is not good for business people. You have to think of your capital and even your personal safety before you take that decision of relocation and if all the indicators are against it, there is no way you will just relocate or commit a substantial amount of your interest in the region. That is why I say that the onus is on our governors in the South –east to take the bull by the horn. It is squarely their responsibility to create an enabling business environment, a secured environment for us to begin to relocate our businesses homeward. There can be no business without peace. The issue of energy must be addressed too. They must be thinking of industrial hubs, parks and layouts for traders and business outlets where our people have comparative advantages. What of the quality of transportation? What is the state of our roads in the South east? I think that the South east has the worst networks of roads in the country. When you have the right business environment, not just the South East businesses will be relocating. Nigeria, Africa and the world will be connecting to the South East for business. One last word on this and I will say again, as long as Igbo businesses feel less at home in the East, it will be pretty hard to just relocate home to please some village feelings of coming back home. Moving forward, what I will recommend that it is time our big time businesses begin to think of big business outlets and projects in the size of Dangote Refinery to be located in the South- East. Even if it means two or three of them coming together to launch a mega project that would benefit in one way or the other, thousands of Igbo employable young Igbo men and women. Look at projects like the Dangote refinery.
Thousands are lined up to profit from the several value chains that the outlet will create. Our renowned big business people have done more of small line projects that end up employing a limited number of employment seeking youth. We need a mega deal!
In the recent times, Ndigbo lost a few illustrious sons to death- The Late Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and former Governor Ogbonnaya Onu. How are your people coping with this painful losses?
It is painful indeed but what can we do? It is God’s wish and no man can dare question what God has allowed to happen. The death of Chief Ezeife, in particular, was a big blow to every one of us, to every Igbo man in Nigeria, in the sense that he was first and foremost a good man. This man was truly an Igbo brand. I will add that he was an indomitable spirit of the Igbo cause and interest in Nigeria. During his life time, you can predict him on all Igbo issues. He never stopped speaking where he had to defend the Igbo cause. He also never failed to defeat the opponents with his educated manner of reason in all arguments. He understood the issues and went straight to the point. Maybe that was why some people of other regions didn’t like his face but at the same time, could not stand an open fight with him. So, you can see that he who loses such a valiant political philosopher and sage has lost a treasure. Some cultures argue that you can only speak well of the dead but in real sense, there is hardly any ill to speak about Chief Ezeife. He has done well during his time and may his soul rest in peace.
I also share the same positive emotional feeling for Chief Ogbonayya Onu. He must be understood in the light of the circumstances of his politics and his quest for power. I have heard some people judge him by reference to the fact that he was with the Buhari train- a train which was actually against the interests of Ndigbo for eight years. He was the Minister of the man who choked life out of all of us. And so was less of a great Igbo son. But that is missing the point. That should not be his only credential. Onu was a fine gentleman who has been consistent in his politics right from the very start to the end. In the beginning, he was with the opposition, he was never with the ruling PDP or the comfort zone. He even surrendered his presidential slot to Buhari years ago to contest against the PDP and others. That is the kind of large hearted person he was! He probably had hoped that Buhari would reciprocate this gesture by passing the ticket to him, but as we all saw, he was utterly disappointed. Being with Buhari’s administration, I mean, that should not and does not make him less or little in the eyes of history or his fellow Igbo. I know this man as a very good man, a politician without bitterness and a good associate of Ohaneze Ndigbo. My prayer is that Ohaneze Ndigbo should set up foundations or something in honour of these great past heroes. They deserved to be remembered for their Igbo deeds and celebrated by the next generations of Ndigbo .
Ndigbo in the North were among the initial groups that invited Chief Iwuanyawu to assume the seat of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So far, how would assess his leadership?
First, let me again express my condolences over the passage of our former leader, the late Chief Obiozor. He was a great son of Ndigbo too. Having said this, the emergence of Chief Iwuanyawu as the President – General of Ohanaeze is perhaps one of the finest things to happen in Igboland in the last few years. Why did I say so? My brother, it is because of the way he conducted the apex Igbo body. Since his coming on board, there has been a kind of stability and inclusivity in the body. Maybe because of his pedigree in life, in business and in politics or because of his ability to be unassuming yet very effective or because of his amiable, rancor -free disposition or because of all of these factors. Ndigbo generally speaking have come to enjoy a clear vision, a togetherness and a firm attitude in the face of so much odds against them in Nigeria’s setting. You may not have noticed that he is one person that speaks so little but whenever he speaks, he is so well articulated. That is why his voice comes heavy and resounding each time he speaks. I am also attracted to his ability to build strong consensus among Ndigbo. He has done well also in cementing our relationships between Ndigbo and our neighbours in the South. Somehow today, we are not standing alone anymore!. On geo -regional politics, Ohanaeze, Middle belt forum and Afenifere socio – cultural all share almost similar positions on national issues these days. And that way, he has excused and exited us from unnecessary opposition politics, without sacrificing the Igbo identity and concerns. All of these, for me, are feats worthy of attention. And I will enjoin him to continue on this note, yes to continue to allay the fears of other Nigerians about the endearing nature of Ndigbo.
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