IN the early 80s, Sunny Okosun, the Ozziddi King, asked this all important question, “WHICH WAY NIGERIA?” in one of his popular tracks. Since then, no answer has been provided. Rather what we have witnessed is a confirmation that the country has lost track.

This is seen in its systematic decapitation by a cabal which has left it the way it is now; a giant only in name, recording 50 years of nationhood and 100 years of backwardness.

From institutionalised corruption occasioned by a horrible leadership, we have degenerated to a stage where politics has become too lucrative a business and 25 per cent of the country’s overhead budget is used to maintain the National Assembly and everyone helplessly looks on.

Even when the truth came to public notice, instead of falling on their fat bellies to apologise to the whole nation, the legislators had the effrontery of summoning Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Central Bank governor to force him to swallow his words. But their intimidation brought out the bravery in Sanusi. He stood his ground and with that, he became a hero.

Today, this question has to be raised about the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and its latest wave of fortunes. This is not the first time I have raised issues about the party’s enormous fortunes which, if care is not taken, may turn to be its undoing. I do not feel bad about the party’s recent successes especially in Anambra State.

By the way, one of the aims for the formation of APGA was to bring together the highly entrepreneurial Igbo people scattered all over the world under one political leadership as one people with one destiny. Another was to give Nigeria a qualitative leadership which the PDP has been unable to do over a decade now. We need such. No one can deny that in Nigeria, more often than not, parties are formed along tribal or regional lines.

The West has the ACN which is now proving its mettle by reclaiming the gubernatorial seats stolen by the PDP especially in the South-west. The north has the ANPP which still fights hard to withstand the storm and threats of the PDP.

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is turning out a good alternative for the north should the ANPP fail to rise to the occasion. The PDP cuts across all ethnic and tribal boundaries, bringing the majority of evil people under its umbrella.

Recently, many politicians have been decamping to APGA. Apart from Theodore Orji of Abia’s brief sojourn in the party, APGA has received into its fold some new members like Chief Rochas Okorocha, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, member representing Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency in the House of Reps; ex-Sen. Joy Emordi, Hon. Chinwe Nwaebili, member representing Ogbaru in the Anambra House of Assembly; Hon. Sylvester Okeke, member representing Anaocha II in the Anambra House of Assembly; Hon. Chukwuma Umeorji, member representing Aguata/Orumba North/Orumba South in the House of Reps, to mention but a few.

Early in December 2010, the rumour of Prof. Dora Akunyili resigning as minister of information to join APGA was rife. She was a major factor in PDP. At the fractionalisation of the party in Anambra, Akunyili was said to have led one of the factions and her in-law, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo led one among others. This might be the genesis of their problems that later culminated in some fight between the two professors during the funeral of Akunyili’s sister who was also Soludo’s mother-in-law. The fight was a good topic for the media.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010, the speculations of Akunyili joining APGA became a reality. The former Iron Lady of NAFDAC resigned from her office as minister, joined APGA and picked the form to contest the Anambra Central Senatorial seat. This means that if the eye-popping lady scales through in the primaries, she will have to slug it out with the senator currently representing the Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Annie Okonkwo of PDP. Again, if ex-governor Chris Ngige succumbs to the persuasions to go for the same seat under ACN, he may have to face Akunyili in the contest.

The story has it that Akunyili is considered as one of the biggest catches of APGA and that leaders of the party have promised to leave no stone unturned to ensure she emerges, not just the party candidate, but victorious in the polls. If this dream materialises for Dora, it will add yet another leaf to her scarf.

Apart from being a professor, she was the D-G of NAFDAC where she was at her best. She was later appointed a minister by the late president Yar’Adua and she retained that under President Goodluck Jonathan until her resignation. Her acceptance of the post of minister of information was against popular expectations because that ministry in the recent time has become the undoing of Igbos who handled it.

Rev.Fr. CLEMENT MUOZOBA, writes from Awka, Anambra State.