As the 2027 general poll draws close, a seasoned investigative journalist and National President of the Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, says she does not understand the futile efforts by some people to condemn those who have chosen to tread on a different path after sojourning like the pilgrim in the movie “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Chief Obiaruko in a Facebook post recently with the caption “Politics of alignment and realignment happens from the top to bottom – Leaders and followers alike” noted that “no one is restricted from shifting grounds.”
According to her, “the whole essence of being a leader is to get to the top and contribute your quota to nation building as well as upgrade your followers to the top and watch them do better, and not to keep them at the lower rung of the ladder as permanent cheerleaders who are fed with occasional crumbs!”, adding that followers or supporters are expected to be loyal to the core but not stupid! They also have the right to aspire to the top because every human being is ambitious!
She observed that in Nigeria politics, leaders have switched camps severally and in some cases, do not seek the opinions of their followers in doing so. Everyone is supposed to be mute and follow sheepishly.
“No! Not everyone would continue on this route” she said
“There are those who have courage to take a chance and sometimes, they succeed when they do things differently” she opined
It’s unfortunate that people are labelled “hungry” or “betrayers” just because they have chosen to follow their convictions.
“Before you come to the post to defend or condemn anyone, make sure you have never been led by hunger or been a betrayer somewhere” she advised.
She said people should be allowed to make their choices and stop what termed “emotional blackmail” for a popular Igbo proverb says, “Mgbe onye tetara n’ura bú útútú ya” which literally means “your morning starts whenever you wake up.”
“Lastly, not everyone is led by hunger. Some are led by anger while some are led by ambition. in all, let the eagle perch and let the kite perch” she finally declared