This Day (Lagos)
Philip Ogunmade
9 January 2006
Lagos — The reconciliation of the two former heads of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and his predecessor, Major General Muhamadu Buhari, in Umuahia on December 27 last year, marked indeed, the end of a two-decade cold war between the retired army generals.
Like a river, adorned with peace, when visited early in the morning, both generals must have literary had a river of peace flowing out of their hearts that Tuesday, when Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu eventually brokered peace between them. The situation as reviewed by various commetators, signified in a way, progress for the North.
For the Northerners, both Buhari and Babangida are seen as formidable elements whose age-long quarrels had hampered progress in the North. This is against the backdrop of the belief that two heads are better than one. The re-union of Babangida and Buhari therefore, depicts progress for the region, the Northerners believe.
But beyond the significance of the reconciliation to the North, Kalu has begun to build up profiles for himself as a trouble shooter, re-building collapsed bridges across the country. Again, with Kalu's track records in reconciling notable figures, Umuahia, is fast being noted as the centre of peace. But many others, especially in the East have viewed the governor's roles with reservation.
Earlier, the out-spoken governor had made giant moves to end the feud between the former Vice President, Chief Alex Ekwueme and the Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, an effort which has received laudable commendation as well as interpretation from various persons. Kalu is in a way being viewed as a young mind, yet with special talents to re-unite various dissenting minds.
The feud between Babangida and Buhari dates back to August 1985, when in a bloodless coup, Babangida toppled Buhari. Besides Babangida's coup, which ousted Buhari and his late Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquaters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari felt humiliated by the former military president when he was thereafter put in detention.
Until that Tuesday, the anger and grievances of Buhari against his successor had only continued to escalate. And despite several efforts especially from the North to placate Buhari to forgive his former surbodinate, Buhari's rigidity had always outweighed the pleas, creating the impression that the face-off might continue unabated.
Notable among the reconciliation meetings called for the duo, was held in Sokoto three years ago at the instance of the emir. Whereas, the reconciliation was expected to have had a lasting impact, the duo had hardly left the emir's palace, when the truce assumed to have been brokered, collapsed again. Since then, it was common knowledge for the public that the stand-off never knew any respite.
However, Kalu's intention to settle the rift was first visible when in the middle of December last year, Buhari paid the governor a visit in Abia State lodge, Abuja where both held a closed-door meeting. Not many people knew what both of them had in common until the peace meeting which involved the combatants were held in Umuahia. Buhari was usually viewed as the central figure in the crisis, because he was portrayed as the aggrieved person, who over the years found it so difficult to forgive Babangida.
It was therefore surprising that on the eve of the day of reconciliation, Buhari had arrived in Umuahia and hosted by Kalu at the governor's lodge in Umuahia, while Babangida only arrived the following morning.
Upon Babangida's arrival, Kalu did not waste any time before plunging into action. He led the 'maradona' military President to the lodge where both men encountered eachother. And within the next 30 minutes, the magic had occurred. The two-decade breakdown in the relationship of the retired army chiefs, had been over and the long time enemies are now friends. Rising from the meeting, Kalu quickly announced that the perception of the public, that the quarrels of the ex-heads of state, had continued, was absolutely wrong. Rather, he said they had both sheathed their swords since the reconciliation meeting held in Sokoto three years ago. He added that since then, both men had buried the hatchet and agreed to work together in the interest of the country.
To confirm the reality of the settlement, Babangida proudly said that Buhari was a friend of 40 years and a reliable ally in the Nigerian Army. He was also swift to add that detractors had been at work to separate them, an attempt which he said would never succeeed. Buhari on the other hand echoed Kalu, insisting that since the time of the Sokoto truce meeting, both of them had put their differences behind them and since, there has been no going back.
Other important personalities in Umuahia on that day, were Ekwueme, Ojukwu, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe and the governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige. In a display of excitement, both men later accompanied Kalu to his ancestral home, Igbere in Bende local government area of the state, where they were later joined by Ojukwu and Ekwueme.
The truce was another testing ground for the reconciliation of Ekwueme and Ojukwu. Kalu, driven by the move to promote unity among the Igbo, had worked relentlessly to bring the dissenting minds of Ojukwu and Ekwueme together. He reportedly visited both personalities at different times before he finally reconciled them at the last stand capital of the defunct Biafran Republic. That sole development marked the end of a complete two and half-decade old war between the warlord and the former Vice President. The disagreement between the revered Ojukwu in Igboland and the erudite scholar was said to have sprung up over matters of principle. The extent of the disagreement became notable when the first president of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe died in the early 90's, and Ekwueme was one of the prominent men who accompanied the remains of the late statesman across the country. Ojukwu was quoted as describing the politician as an undertaker.
But the 25-year old war has eventually ended, courtesy of Kalu's drive to promote Igbo unity as well as the Igbo project. At any rate, several interpretations have been given to Kalu's roles in mending fences both in the East as well as the North. Political observers believe that the governor has not suddenly taken interest in promoting peace among individuals, if he has not had his own ulterior motives. While some have argued that the move to reconcile Babangida and Buhari was borne out of the need to muster forces against the alleged third term bid of President Olusegun Obasanjo, others believe that Kalu is gradually laying a foundation to become the vice president in 2007. This notion is coming on the heels of the governor's perceived indifference to the newly formed Southern Forum, a platform borne out of the determination of the South to retain power come 2007.
The reconciliation was also said to have been orchestrated by the North in view of the division that the enmity between Babangida and Buhari has brought to the region. It was learnt that the situation had polarised the North into two, almost making it impossible to pursue a common agenda. For instance, while some Northern lawmakers are at the National Assembly are said to have pitched their tents with Buhari, others have gone with Babangida. Fearing that the situation might jeopardise the North's clamour for the return of power come 2007, prominent Northern elements had canvassed the unity of purpose between the heads of states with a view to resisting the alleged third term agenda of the President and as well ensure the realisation of the Northern project come 2007 as against the South's call for power shift.
That Kalu is therefore, a central figure in this act has generated deep thoughts, culminating in the belief that Kalu is driving to position himself as the vice president.
Affirming this is the Igwe of Ekoli in Enugu State, His Royal Highness, Sam Ukpabi. The professor turned traditional ruler, sees the role of Kalu beyond the praises rained on him for bringing warring parties together. According to him, Kalu is playing a game, ladden with political undertone. Specifically, the don perceived that Kalu was strategically positioning himself for the position of the vice president.
He regretted that the governor is mostly concerned about his own personal interest as against the Southern project which he argued could have better consolidated his ambition and guarantee the future of his children and his property.
The monarch said the governor should have priced the vision of the Forum to better the lots of many Nigerians above his own personal interest. For him, the role of Kalu by and large has a political undertone.
"I tell you one thing. There must be dissent among the people. It is not all of us that will agree on the same thing. And out of discussion, dialogue will emerge. And there will be a greater sense of belonging for everybody. So, Orji Uzor Kalu believes in what he is doing. He can organise reconciliation meetings. He can bring Buhari and Babangida together. But he is also playing his own game, maybe he wants to become the Vice President. The Southern people are coming together. We said this is the way we are going. Regardless of what Orji Uzor Kalu is doing, if he wants to be the President of the country, you cannot stop it. But I hope that one day, he will believe in what Southern Forum is talking about - making Nigeria a better place for everybody in which he himself, Orji Uzor Kalu 'll also have security for his property, have justice in which his children 'll grow up to be proud to be called Nigerians," Ukpabi said in an interview with THISDAY.
Ukpabi would not want Nigerians to be carried away with Kalu's perceived expertise in reconciliation. Just as the literary phenomenon, William Shakespeare had said that "if we must look into the seed of time and see which grain will grow and which one will not grow," Ukpabi believed that only time would reveal the motive behind Kalu's reasons thus far to organise the reconciliation meetings. He urged all to watch out and see the aftermath of the whole exercise.
"Well, nothing stops him from organising a reconciliation meeting. But the question is, will that organisation be effective eventually? Only time will tell. You cannot condemn him."
Political enthusiasts have also reasoned that Kalu's frantic effort to get Ojukwu and Ekwueme reconciled was predicated on his bid to secure the blessing of the two great men who are undisputable authorities in the South-east for his presidential ambition. The duo's pedigree speaks volumes, just as their words command respect at all times. It was therefore gathered that once he gets their nod, all other aspirants may have to que behind him or embark on an exercise in futility. But like Ukpabi has said, only time will either confirm or prove wrong the aftermath of the reconciliation efforts.
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