Political Odyssey of chief Madu Ndigba[a belief in totems by an African leader] An Allegory Part15

CHAPTER XI

CHIEF MADU NDIGBA’S MEETING WITH MEMBERS
OF HIS ETHNIC GROUP IN SOUTH AFRICA

After his visit to Madiba, he met some influential member of his ethnic community. They recounted to him, the exploit of Nigerians from other ethnic group: they informed him that one Elopi, has been organizing awards for Nigerian Governors outside the shores of Nigeria. In one Award, a Nigerian Governor is invited to South Africa, to receive an Award on good governance. One of such governor was from North Western Zone, who came with a delegation of 52. South African premiers’ equivalent of Nigerian Governors had wondered the criteria used for the Award, when none of them was given the same award. He was informed that a governor from NNDC area, bought a house in South Africa. He was told how Governor Igbinedion brought in a delegation of about 300 to celebrate his father’s birthday in 2004. Another Governor from North Central area of Nigeria together with first ladies of a state in former Benue Plateau as well as one state in South West came with a large entourage to receive Awards in South Africa, meant for activities in connection with development in Nigeria. The invitees were ironically only Nigerians from Nigeria.

He was told that the governor of Beyelsa, Mr. Alam bought an expensive property in Cape Town and that it was auctioned at a quarter of the value, when Mr. Alam was charged for money laundering. Mr. Alam was a member of Chief Ndigba’s party. Mr. Alam’s community is still brooding over lack of development of his part of Nigeria Delta.

He also learnt that a governor of one of the South-South state went to Botswana through South Africa with an entourage of over fifty people to woo Botswana investors to invest in his state.
Another interesting report was that of a visit of a Governor from North Eastern Zone to South Africa on his way to Mauritius to view wildlife! All of these governors have Nigerian agents resident in South Africa, who arrange visits and tours for a commission. It is gathered that when the agents run in to problems, they request governors to ask the Nigerian Mission to intervene.