Anambra 2010: An open letter to Maurice Iwu (INEC boss)

Dear Professor Maurice Iwu,

I salute you in the name of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Your name as Chairman of this Commission started to pollute the air after the ill-fated 2007 selection. Many Nigerians, including my humble self, thought that you would write your name in gold by conducting a free and fair election. Unfortunately, we were disappointed after the national mess. As a partisan umpire, you led the Nation hundred years backward; or if I may say, to the State of Nature, where the survival of the fittest reigned supreme. You and your master, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, introduced the do-or-die system into our nascent democracy, whereby selection rather than election became the order of the day. Innocent Nigerians became confused on what next.

The Angels of God wept as the devil and his agents took over power nationwide. Consequently, democracy was jailed without trial. Professor Iwu, I heard that you are a Knight of the Church. Which Church, the Church of God or Satanic church? Do you know that a Christian knight is a soldier of Christ and a defender of the Faith? As INEC Chairman, you are expected to conduct a free and fair election at the state and national levels. The Lord Jesus says that he who is not with him is against him. Are you with Him or against Him? Yes or no?

Nigerians have already passed a sentence of condemnation on you. Is it not worthier to step down from your office than to go on in shame? Good name is better than gold. As there is no smoke without fire, some unseen hands might have been propelling you along. Remember that no condition is permanent. They would use you and dump you in dungeon. Instead of happiness in retirement, you will be moaning and regretting all the days of your life, since the evil that men do lives with them. Why not apologize to Nigerians now and go home happy?

Professor, you are still clenching the office of an umpire as the Anambra State 2010 gubernatorial election is at the doorstep. An umpire is supposed to be neutral in his decision as the game lasts. From all your actions so far I have seen that you are partisan. How can a referee be a judge and a player at the same time? It means the other team must be defeated by all means. A bad referee can never escape the wrath of the spectators. I have observed with consternation that you are trying to eliminate the incumbent Governor of our dear State, Mr. Peter Obi, from the democratic race, come February 6, 2010. What is his crime? Are you acting a script? Do you know that man proposes but God disposes? Why do hate an innocent player to the extent that you expelled his team from the field? The spectators are shouting, "Why? why?" Professor, think twice and give peace a chance to reign in the country, especially in Anambra State.

The God of vengeance is around the corner preparing to descend on the unjust umpire. Dear Chairman, in the past the Commission you are heading campaigned for voters' registration and enlightenment. Now, the reverse is the case, especially in Anambra State. Why do want to deprive us of our franchise? Even, I hear of people being registered in secret in order to carryout the will of the powers that be. To make the hidden agenda work, the period of registration was short. Also the registration machines bought with tax-payers' money was intentionally made to be scarce, so that many Anambrarians will be disenfranchised. Mr. Chairman, I warn you, it may not be business as usual in Anambra 2010 election.

Anambrarians have suffered a lot since her creation on August 27, 1991. No anointed candidate should be imposed on us. Please, for God's sake, allow Anambrarians to choose their governor. Your hidden agenda will come to light soonest. No matter how long injustice reigns, justice shall prevail. Good citizens of Anambra State are busy praying for God's intervention in the midst of uncertainties around the corner.

Will God remain silent forever? Of course, no.. He has intervened a number of times in the political affairs of this state. All Goliaths along our way to freedom must be conquered in the Name of the Almighty God. When the Israelites were leaving the Land of Egypt and saw the Egyptians pursing them, they started crying and calling on Moses for help. Moses interceded before God. God asked him to let the Israelites stop crying, because they would see the mighty hand of God fighting for them. Likewise, Anambrarians, let us not despair in our struggle to make Anambra State the pride of the Nation. God never sleeps.Professor INEC, the 2010 Anambra Gubernatorial Election is a litmus test for you. If you hasten to the voice of the God of justice, then you shall be forgiven for your past political blunder. If not, nemesis will catch on you.

To be for-warned is to be for-armed. However, I am not a prophet of doom. My prophecy is for Truth and Justice to prevail in Nigeria in general and in Anambra State in particular. Long live Nigeria! Long Live Anambra State, the Light of the Nation!!!

Fr. Pat Amobi Chukwuma is the Parish Priest of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Abagana