I began to sense danger for Soludo the very day he decided to be adopted as the political son of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forth-coming governorship election in Anambra State.
The first lesson for Soludo By MUOZOBA ATHANASIUS
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is a man who has not only distinguished himself as a sound academic but has also made his mark as far as the banking industry is concerned. As the C.B.N governor, I admired and respected him, if not for anything his viewspeeches always elicited public applause.
But I began to sense danger for this man the very day he decided to be adopted as the political son of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forth-coming governorship election in Anambra State. By that decision I came to see Prof. Soludo as someone who has put his reputation on line.
It is obvious that the P.D.P’s conception of politics can only be defined within the context of ‘mortal combat’ .
This explains why the party has established itself fimly in the areas of election rigging, political victimization and intimidation, and flagrant violation of the rule of law. Ofcourse, no right thinking Nigerian adult would want to be associated with a party with such attribute.
As long as the P.D.P and politics are concerned, the mere mention of some names reflects evil. They are such names like Obasanjo, Anenih, Ahmadu Ali, Ogbulafor, Alkali, Iwu and their likes. These are men who can score very high points anytime, anywhere when it has to do with evil-mindedness, vindictiveness, ruthlessness and foul-mouthedness. Having anything in common with these old political bigots portends even greater danger. It is therefore adviceable not to accept an invitation to dine with the devil let alone going for the longer than usual spoon.
In Anambra state, no sane person can claim ignorance of what is going on there. Even the blind can see it. The P.D.P as a party and it’s agents have inflicted a lot of injury on the psyche of the citizens. Not only that they are synonymous with non-performance and non-delivery of the dividends of democracy, their reputation also lies in intimidation, character defamation, black-mail, gangsterism, arson and abduction. In view of these, won’t it be only natural to suspect the party in the increasing rate of armed robbery and kidnappings in the state.
All in a bid to give a dog a bad name in order to hang him. But it is also very suicidal of a man who does not recognise the indomitable nature of his percieved enemy.
To all these, Soludo maintained a blind eye and a deaf ear and went ahead to accept the party’s nomination in a manner that has raised a lot questions on his personality. He thereby made the list of those who delibrately violate the rule of law and of the game.
The nullification of his nomination should be his first lesson as well as a sign of the worst to come.. It is therefore an opportunity for him to have a second thought. Going ahead to secure the governorship of Anambra state under the P.D.P will amount to dragging himself to the mud of ignominy.
Prof. Soludo should therfore not ignore the handwritig on the wall and go ahead to swim in the filthy and smelly waters of the party. For if he escapes being swallowed by the sharks, still no amount of cleanser can make him of the dent that will follow. Therefore, it will be wise of him to move away from the shade provided by this unholy umbrella. It is not too late yet.