It was
reported in the press in South Africa and Nigeria last week that President Jacob Zuma was embarking on a
2-day "private" visit to Nigeria. We had thought that the embattled
South African leader was here for a short vacation. But it turned out that the
announcement was made to downplay the plan of President Zuma to have his image
laundered at a time that he has been rejected as a corrupt leader by his own
country men and women. Contrary to the misleading press report, Mr. Zuma was
actually in Nigeria on an official visit to the Imo state government.
Apart
from allowing Mr. Zuma to address a group of selected secondary school students
and other young people, Governor Rochas
Okorocha directed a traditional ruler in Imo state to confer a chieftaincy
title on him. He bagged the title of Ochiagha
(meaning warlord) of Imo State. Not done yet, the Okorocha government unveiled
a statue of Mr. Zuma in a conspicuous place in Owerri. The South African leader
has concluded the visit and has since returned home. Now he can boastfully tell
South Africans that the prophet is celebrated abroad even though he is not
honoured in his country.
It is
embarrassing that a state government controlled by the All Progressive Congress
which is fighting corruption could host Mr. Zuma, allegedly a corrupt leader in
the current assembly of heads of state in the African Union and portray him as
a hero before a group of African youths. Is Governor Okorocha not aware that
Mr. Zuma has been found guilty of corruption by the courts in South Africa and
has been ordered to refund the $500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dollars)
stolen from the public treasury to expand his private house to accommodate his
many wives? Is Governor Okorocha not aware that Mr. Zuma has also been indicted
for allowing an Indian family to influence the appointment of his cabinet
members?
In
asking President Zuma to address officials of Imo State government, is Governor
Okorocha not aware that the people of South Africa are currently demanding for
the resignation of a leader who has brought shame and dishonor to the country
of Nelson Mandela? Is the APC
governor not aware that South Africans are marching on the streets to demand "Zuma Must Go" over his
corrupt practices? Of what significance and benefit is the visit of Zuma to the
people of Imo state? Where was Mrs Okorocha who has been fighting for the
rights of women when a man who was technically discharged by a court in a case
of rape was celebrated and honoured by her husband? Though, he admitted that
his victim consented to the sexual intercourse, did he not say that he did not
use condom? Is the Imo state government encouraging youths to follow the bad
examples of President Zuma?
Though,
we recognise the federal government's position on not hosting President Zuma in
Abuja as his visit would have questioned the anti-corruption policy of President Muhammadu Buhari. All the
same the federal government should have called Governor Okorocha to order and
advise him not to celebrate corruption. Since Governor Okorocha is part of the
APC-led government with mantra of zero tolerance for corruption, he must tender
a public apology to the people of Nigeria for promoting President Zuma who has
been adjudged to be a corrupt leader by the South African judiciary. On our own
part we would have joined South Africans in marching on the streets in Owerri
if Mr. Zuma's coming had not been disguised as a "private visit."
In his
speech at Owerri, President Zuma said that Africa might remain underdeveloped
if sound and qualitative education was denied the youths. He stated that the
external conspiracy against the African continent would be effectively tackled
when more African children accessed quality education. But how can young people
receive qualitative education when the resources for building schools and
equipping them are stolen by African leaders. President Zuma also called for
the unity of the African people. Is President Zuma not aware that in South
Africa, Nigeria and many other African countries, the people complain about
marginalization by selfish and thieving governments who are in alliance with the
forces behind the "external conspiracy" ?
We are
not surprised that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was on hand to welcome and
celebrate his friend, President Zuma. It is a case of show me your friend and
I'll tell who you are. Both Presidents Obasanjo and Zuma have many things in
common. Both of them have used their official positions to acquire obscene
wealth as well as many women and children. Both have failed to give qualitative
education to young people in their respective countries. But while Chief
Obasanjo pretends to be a man of average means, President Zuma displays his
ill-acquired wealth to the annoyance of South Africans.
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