Sunday, March 26, 2006

Nigerian Born British Policeman Joins 2007 Presidential Race
From TUNDE OYEDOYIN,London

Nigerian-born British Policeman, Chukwudum Ikeazor, has thrown his hat into the ring, and declared his intention to run for next year's Presidential election in his country of birth. In a statement titled, 'An offer to serve', made available to the Guardian, Ikeazor, who made history in 2004, when he became the first winner of the Anne Frank award for moral bravery, stated that he has taken up the challenge to vie for the country's topmost position in order to offer Nigerians the opportunity to end more than 40 years of unaccountable leadership and injustice, among others.

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Although not affiliated to any political party as at now, the former Mobile Policeman and law graduate is hoping that any party or group that is: "genuinely seeking to lead Nigerians out of the present and endemic quagmire of misrule, mismanagement and corruption," will quickly sign him on. Hinging his tall ambition on 16-cardinal points, the Anambra - born PC (Police Constable) also disclosed that what he is bringing to the table is, primarily, Choice. "I am offering my compatriots a choice between true service and continued misrule, a choice between accountability and unaccountability, a choice between service and disservice, and a choice between the light of service and duty, and the darkness of oppression and corruption, between life and death in some cases."

Drawing inspiration from the legendary African-American Civil Rights apostle, Dr Martin Luther King jnr,from whom he also lifted this quote: "Injustice to anyone anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere", Ikeazor noted that the words of the late Reverend is still a truism in today's Nigeria. According to him, "The very reason for the continued failure of the Nigerian experiment and the endemic instability in Nigeria is the continued and deliberate imposition of injustice on one section of the country or the other. Biafra? Niger-Delta? June 12 election abortion? All these and continuing aspects of injustice and oppression ring ominous bells and call upon us to heed the words of Dr. King."

Realistically though, he admitted that: "I may not become the president of Nigeria, given Nigeria's peculiar political realities, nevertheless, I am content for the debate to be narrowed down on how we can implement the principles enunciated further on in this paper." Ideally though, he would have wanted to be the one to implement his 16 cardinal points, because, "I know that I will implement them to the letter, given the authority and powers, but if any one else can and he or she can become the president easier or quicker than I can, they may as well make use of same to move the country forward."

Knowing that there will be formidable opposition on the way to 2007, Ikeazor argues further that anyone hoping to throw his/her hat into the presidential ring should at least embrace his principles. For him, "why should a presidential candidate not agree to declare his or her assets? Why should he not commit to recovery of stolen funds and assets from governors, ministers, and presidents, past and present? Why should he or she not commit to wage a total war on corruption?" Left to him, anyone not willing to swear to these should not aspire to be King.