Among the noble personalities in Igbo land today, there is one man that speaks and Igbos listen. That man is Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Abaribe cut a niche for himself, not because of his numerous legislative contributions for his constituency at the national assembly, but because he took an unconditional risk to bail Nnamdi kalu from prison. He didn’t bail Nnamdi kalu because he committed hyper fraud like Mopha or Hushipuppi or others like them, but because he was fighting for emancipation of Ndigbo.
Although, there were other Igbo personalities and senators who played prominent roles to make sure Nnamdi kalu was bailed from prison, the name of Abaribe still rings bell in the Nnamdi kalu’s bail saga because he is the only one that is still mentioned by the Nigeria authorities as well as Igbo detractors to produce Nnamdi kalu or pay the #500m bail bond.
In fact, he has been absorbing pressures for bailing Nnamdi kalu. Besides, since that epic bail incident that brought Abaribe to limelight in Igbo nation, he has subsequently made comments that further confirm that he is a true patriotic Igbo son willing to sacrifice everything in defense of Igbo nation and her people.
No doubt, it’s in recognition of this exemplary patriotism and sacrificial zeal, that prompted great Igbo men and women living in diaspora to honor Abaribe not quite long ago. Some people might subtly insinuate that Abaribe took such a wide risk to stand for Nnamdi kalu’s bail because both of them are from the same state thus, it’s incumbent on him to do the needful in that circumstance and that, if Abaribe was not a member of the National assembly during that period, no Igbo man would’ve stick his neck to bail Nnamdi kalu.
Whether this line of thought is true or false, what Abaribe did benefited all Igbos and removed the shame and slur which would’ve been cast on the generality of Igbos if Nnamdi kalu have remained in prison till date. It would have been seen that Igbos have nobody to meet up kalu’s bail conditions.
Personally, I have no doubts that Nnamdi kanu will be grateful to Abaribe for what he did for him. Kanu’s gratitude to Abaribe can be seen from the fact that among prominent Igbos kanu have insulted and attacked like Ike Ekweremadu, Nnia Nwodo, southeast governors and Ohanaeze leadership, Nnamdi kanu has not been heard insulting Abaribe. This shows he has regards and respect for him at least for standing bail for him.
ABARIBE AND NNAMDI KALU’S MACABRE DANCE.
From every indications, its getting clearer that associates, friends and other people close to Nnamdi kanu can’t advise him. His actions and utterances daily depicts the picture of the Igbo folklore king known as “Eze Onye Agwalam”, who wore Royal regalia stained with human excretions to market square because he would not want anybody in his household or his council of chiefs to advise him. We know the story of how the king went to the market square and was disgraced in the crowd because strangers saw his folly and he too saw his folly, arrogance, and pride when it’s too late.
Nnamdi kanu is dancing naked and uncontrollably to the macabre dance of folly which have blocked his ears to hear sound and wise admonition either from friends, associates or close family members.
The recent order to IPOB members to stone John Nnia Nwodo, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to death anywhere he is seen within and outside the country, is one macabre dance too many. That extremist, callous and ungodly order have called a lot of things to question.
First, could it be that the sudden death of Nnamdi kanu’s both parents within the same time frame have stifled and mortified the humanity in him and because of that, he has no more human feelings that he would want the children of Nnia Nwodo to lose their own father the same way he lost his?
Secondly, if IPOB members should succeed to stone Nnia Nwodo to death (God forbid) how would other tribes who are looking for reasons to castigate and tarnish Igbo image see Igbos?
Thirdly, if Nnia Nwodo is stoned to death, what assurance do we have that other prominent Igbos in Nnamdi kanu’s bad record will not be stoned to death one after another?
With this prevailing scenerio of extremism, violent attacks and uncertainty of the lives of Igbo elders and others, one man comes to mind, and that man is Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Ndigbo are looking up to Abaribe to call Nnamdi kanu to order. They are looking up to him to exhibit the same courage, and sagacity he displayed when he rose above the intimidations of Nigeria authorities and stood bail for Nnamdi kanu.
They are looking up to him to act as a figure over Nnamdi kanu to avoid him dancing this naked dance to Oblivion. Abaribe should know that an elder that watches as the goat delivers in its tethering rope has questions to answer.
Edwin Chukwudire-Obi is author and the founder of Worldwide United Forum for Igbo Patriots & Aborigines-WUFIPA
He can be reached on 08178183902 or Whatsapp:07067847665.
Email: [email protected]
Igbo leaders and gov’s should do the needful