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Wooing Enahoro by
Chief Anthony Enahoro is now being courted by nearly all geo-political groupings to come on board the partisan ship. Even the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the most formidable political think-tank from the north, tried to woo the elder statesman to a meeting which didn't take place. From the role call of those who waited in vain at the Arewa House, Kaduna in late November, for the parley, it was clear that Enahoro is held in high esteem by political strategists from the North. With people like Gen. Inuwa Wushishi (rtd), Senator Olusola Saraki, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd), Alhaji Umaru Dikko, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Brigadier-General Ja'afaru Isa and Col. Hameed Ali, the ACF must have concluded that Enahoro deserved to be courted by politicians of note who have been around. It also suggests that the chief still has a lot to offer. When Chief Enahoro returned to the country on April 10 after spending time abroad, he didn't have much time to acclimatise himself with the home environment before politicians started asking him to declare his political sentiments. He actually made himself available to be enticed when he decided to embark upon a familiarisation visit to all the geo-political zones where discussions are held with the people. Every group tried to impress it on him that he is the one they are waiting for. Upon his visit to the South East in May, the zones co-ordinator of the Movement for National Reformation (MNR), Chief A. C. C. Chukwu declared that Enahoro is the one to galvanise the minorities for effective leadership, urging him to "use the vantage location to originate and organise hand shakes across the Niger and across Benue." The MNR is the political association which Enahoro formed in 1992 before he went on exile. In June, the Middle Belt Forum put it more bluntly by asking Enahoro to lead the country. Speaking on behalf of the forum at a reception for him, Isaac Shaahu said: "Your wealth of experience and sacrifice for this country eminently qualifies you to contribute significantly to proffering solutions to these problems through sound political engineering." The Union of Niger Delta, a political group from the South South, also sent a delegation to woo Enahoro, just as some leaders of the ethnic nationalities in the South South have shown in their actions and utterances that Enahoro should lead them. They have held a reception for the elder statesman and believing that now is the time to have his intentions well spelt out. At home in Edo State, some local politicians are still asking themselves whether Enahoro is the political messiah they have been waiting for. For some of them, he represents a yearning which has always been there, for there to be one prominent leader who will take the people right into the mainstream of Nigerian politics. As it were, when it comes to real politics, the people of Edo State have to decide their fate. So, the presence of Enahoro is being expected to brighten the aura of the state at the national level. At the local level, the absence of a system of balancing and equity is expected to change, depending on where the chief places his cards. The people of Edo north Senatorial District have been living too far from the power base. The Binis, in concert with the Esans have been deemed to have the upper hand in the power equation of the state. Enahoro is being courted by groups in the state in order to brighten their chances of accessing power. In the South West, fellow wayfarers in the NADECO struggle continue to regard Enahoro as a credible man to work with. The man himself has been careful not to exhaust this goodwill by making unattainable demands. Once the struggle is over and freedom has been won, everyman knows where he is coming from and where he is going. Chief Enahoro appears too wise to be unable to distinguish between voices and handshakes by politicians. This is the time to be very careful so as not to be used by political con men. The race for year 2003 presidency is being surreptitiously declared at a time when the promises of the last election are still echoing in the ears. We have done two fiscal years already (since May 1999-2000), without there being noticeable improvement in the way we live. Elections appear to be the most significant events in our political calendar and those calling for Chief Enahoro to run for presidency should wait for that time to come. However, we must ask ourselves whether those who are making these calls are serious or whether they are joking. It is a fact that Enahoro has done well for this country since the nationalist struggles. As a parliamentarian in 1953, he made legendary contributions which have seen Nigeria transform from a colonial status to that of an independent country. He also served as federal commissioner. In later years, he expressed his disdain for despotism and became the leader of the opposition, an assignment for which younger people are better-suited. He could have chosen to keep quiet, stay away from trouble in a retired attitude. It could appear as if those still making demands on him are asking for too much. The man has worked himself, even into retirement age and should not be yoked with the strains of statecraft. Assuming that age is still well on his side, he may not be favoured by the element of zoning which will determine where the next president comes from. Even his NADECO background will be used against him when the time comes for military apologists and their sponsors to shape things from behind -the-scene. What Enahoro enjoys now may only amount to political goodwill that cannot buy any vote, even right there in Edo State. But it is clear that some people want to use him to enter into certain constituencies, after which, he will be dumped. Enahoro is too old to be fooled by anybody. When he returned, he made it clear that he preferred to hold consultations across the country before he would announce his political intentions. Later, he confessed that the consultations have become "prolonged by the amplitude and complexities of the issues involved." No one can put it better than the man himself. But the issues are not only complex, they are a minefield and he who have ears, let him hear!
The writer sent this in from Lagos
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