Political Odysseus of chief Madu(Belief in Totems by African leaders) An Allegory. CONCLUSION

Perhaps another step would mean to subscribe to the patronage of god Fathers. In his locality, there were no moneybags such as the discredited Chris Uba. From his zone, he could still pledge loyalty to other moneybags or else he might move across the Niger. But even then, how will such a god Father reap the spoils of office from across the Niger?
The lessons that chief Madu Ndigba brought to his party after his visit to south Africa was like preaching to the deaf. It has been said that Nigerian politicians assume that the best way to be a good party man is to turn the party into a personal property. This has given rise to godfatherism, rigging of election, endemic corruption and all sorts of political gimmicks to allow one remain in power. We predict that totemism will never lead to political success, and party stability. Totem is a belief based on contradictions and such contradictions are bound to spiral to disastrous political terrain unless we recognize that God created the objects used as totems. It is only the Supreme Being that has to be worshipped and served to achieve political success.African leaders and politicians badly need a new political orientation aimed at stabilizing democracy. The leaders/politicians are to serve and not to be served.The resources and the wealth of each country are for the citizens and not for politicians/leaders and their cronies.

Political Odysseus of Chief Madu Ndigba{Belief in Totems by An African leader Part25

. In the town, where he lived and worked, the facilities were not available. In his village, which was not a riverine area, it would arouse a lot of suspicion, as he did not like that part of his life to come under public scrutiny. Besides he was an elder in the church. His religious commitment was profound, but he was like many of the Nija politicians who always carry a chaplet in one the pocket and an amulet in another. It was rumoured that his name appeared on the list of politicians found in the register of ‘Okija Shrine’, following the scandalous Okija revelation by former Inspector General of Police, Tarfa Balogun, before he, himself was ironically booted out of power.

It is this contradictory evidence in his dealing that posed considerable dilemma. Even then, his popularity waned in his local government. When he was appointed a Minister, there was no project located in that area which could be attributed to him. He was nicknamed ‘Mr. Clean’. He would conduct prayers during council sessions and in the private Chapel of head of State or in State gatherings, but he remained unpopular. There was rumour that he disapproved that a private company should fix a borehole for his use and the community because he claimed transparency. His community never forgave him.

It was therefore doubtful whether his totem would be as efficacious by any standard compared with that of Mobutu Seseseko and Houphet Boigny. All these diabolical means of acquiring political power have not proved successful.

Political Odysseus of Chief Madu Ndigba(An Allegory of an African leader) Part 24

CHAPTER XIII

BROKEN MYTH OF CHIEF NDIGBA’S
TOTEM AND HIS DILEMMA
The efficacy of the totem could not have been measured only in terms of its use in the choice of a wife; rather, it should have been seen in a wider context of the political ambition of the chief. Having risen high in the party hierarchy, he needed to explore the position in attaining loftier political heights for instance, as a Senator he would manipulate the system to become the Senate President, since that position was zoned to his geographical zone by political arrangement or he might even aim at the big ‘one, ‘presidency’ or vice presidency’. Normally, he could not be elected in his local government because there were more popular candidates. During ‘Abacha days’, the system allowed him to be elected, but in the new era after 1999, the competition was keener and involved more the use of ‘Ghana must go’. He was not rich but thrived on the good will of rich men who exploited his weakness, with the hope of reaping dividends in future. Since there was no guaranteed assurance of funding, he decided to court on mystical power of his totem. The oracle had advised that he upgrades the tattoo totem into life object. His problem was to secure a pool that could rear crocodiles. It would not be in grand scale as that of president Houphet Boigny.

Poltical Odysseus of Chief Ndigba[Belief in totems by African leaders] An Allegory Part23

Everyone present readjusted his or her chair to hear more from Nwadima. She ended up stressing that people should recall how the totem had been associated with the actual fact that none of them had actually slept with the chief. There were merely attempts to guess. The Chief had a complex, for he would rather remain in company of the girls and women and have the feeling that he is sexually interested, than to remain without them.

The Chief, it was rumoured was impotent, inviting women around him was to create a different image from what the community knew or think about him. But there is one girl living in Chief’s large compound, who is generally considered to be the daughter. It has been a closely guarded secret as to whether the Chief was the biological father of this girl called Abali. Even local discrete enquiries have been unable to conclude on the birth and paternity of Abali.

In the circumstance, the attitude of Chief and his women as well as the doubts about his potency and hence the true father of Abali, continue to haunt the community. In the midst of this scenario, the action of every interested lady within Chief’s circle remained to grab as much as possible from Chief’s generosity and largesse. Finally, the Chief summoned up courage and intimated the need to have a second wife. This proposal was only achievable if the present wife gave her consent. The first wife is quite aware of the issue at stake i.e. inheritance of the wealth of the Chief. In addition, it would go against the basic doctrine of his faith, should he take another wife. His human weakness seemed to prevail as he could disregard Faith's teaching and fulfill his urge.

After the meeting of the conclave of the first wife’s people, it was a general consensus that a new wife could be allowed but on their terms. The Chief felt he had overall prerogative to choose a wife. Without consulting any oracle, he decided to boldly invite the three women Ngozi, Sarah and Nwadima Sisi Zululand who has been struggling to win over the chief. The chief was delighted when Nwadinma described the tattoo which represented Chief’s Totem. The efficacy of the totem now was no longer in doubt!

Political Odysseus of chief Madu Ndigba(Belief in totems by African leaders) An Allegory Part 22

Onwa, otherwise known as Chief Dike, a young millionaire of about 36, was in the oil business. He had just won the bid for blocks of oil well. As the duo tried to end the conversation, Sarah strolled into the room; she immediately went straight to the chief’s office and tapped the door thrice. There was no clear cut acknowledgement of the tap. Rather, a young lady pushed the door forcefully and this nearly threw down Sarah.

Sarah was enraged at the sight of this lady and resented her action. She gathered her breath and hollered, ‘what have I done to you? ‘You wretched daughter of a bitch’. The ugly scene created now attracted attention of those in and around the office, as well as Nwadima and Ngozi and others discussing with Chief. ‘Be civil, now’, she intoned…. ‘Abi’, haven’t you come for the same mission as me? One of the ladies, insinuated that if the chief is not interested in you, why do you force yourself on him? She queried. Besides, why do you take it out on Sarah? One of the ladies pretended to be the arbiter and while calming the other intruder proposed a meeting of all interested candidates. The proposal appeared to be naïve suggestion and also unusual way of determining who wins the heart of the chief.

Another problem with the suggestion is, ‘what will be the criteria used to determine the winner? Will the criteria necessarily be acceptable to the chief? Is chief Ndigba obliged to accept the decision? There seemed, to be a stalemate, as there was ominous silence after the proposal was made. Without any formal arrangement, all interested parties sat down in what were supposed to be a roundtable. It was round table because no one claimed to be superior to the other. As soon as the convener raised her eyes, everyone in the room giggled until, the convener continued to make her points.

First, she drew the attention of her friends, on the need to maintain absolute discretion, as the Chief would be embarrassed by the presence of all ‘his women’ in one spot. Second, she also recalled the miserable position all of them have been placed, a condition which compelled them to boldly seek to have an affair with a married man because of pecuniary gains’.

One of them, yawned as she challenged everyone thus, ’if any of you here who claim to be interested in the Chief, would describe a unique spot on the chiefs body; I would then withdraw from my lust. The proposal seemed to be plausible as two others nodded in approval.
Each of them, one after another, described what they experienced. They were no two descriptions that tallied. Perhaps some of them were imagined, until Nwadima – Sisi Zululand’ described the crocodile tattoo.

Political Odysseus of chief Madu Ndigba(belief in totem by African leaders) An Allegory Part 21

CHAPTER XII

CHIEF NDIGBA’S RETURN TO NIGERIA,
THE SCRAMBLE, BY LADIES IN HIS OFFICE

Having listened and studied the role of Totem beliefs in other African Countries, as narrated by the veteran politician, his inquisitiveness was not assumed rather his erstwhile belief was fast diminishing. As he was greatly troubled, his encounter with his lady admires could not prove anything worthwhile.

As soon as they returned from the trip; her traveling companion made continuous attempts to attract the Chief's attention. One of the ladies hustling around the Chief, three days after the trip came over to her office, pretending to chat with her.

‘Sisi Zululand, wet in, Chief do for you? ‘I guess, he spoilt you greatly,’ she asserted.

She quickly drew closer to her position in the room, as she felt that, that was a good opportunity to bare her mind, since Chief Ndigba’s madam was not in that trip and many “rivals were not around” too.

Sisi Zululand looked up at her with amazement, but quickly adjusted her eyeglasses to recognize the visitor. The visitor – Ngozi was tall, black, star eyed with gap tooth. She moved closer and grabbed the seat without being invited to sit. Her yawing, drew the attention of her host once again.

This time, her host Nwadima – Sisi Zulu land, inquired about what happened in the office during her trip abroad. Ngozi narrated the latest gossip in town. She recalled the news of the purchase of Lexus by a newly employed graduate who had just completed her National Youth Service Corp. The duo agreed that, that would not have been possible if “Onwa” did not sponsor the purchase.

Political Odysseus of chief Madu Ndigba(belief in totems by African leaders) An Allegory. Part20

Another concerned citizen, Emeka Orji narrated the detention of Rev. Fr Nnaji in Limpopo province, for over six months on alleged six counts charges of child abuse including rape. It is believed that when the Catholic Priest joined the order of Missionary of St. Paul in South Africa, he was doing so well that many adherents of fetish practices including Sangoma and Inyanga had to be converted to Christianity.

This development obviously angered the Sangoma practitioners who were losing so much revenue from their erstwhile clients. The reaction of the Sangoma was to instigate many parishioners to accuse the priest of child abuse as well as possession of pornographic films. It is also known that forty-eight hours after the petitions were made, many parents disassociated themselves from the petition, but this was too late, because the accusers had the support and connivance of security agents. At the end the Nigerian priest was discharged and acquitted by a competent court after the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt. At a stage the investigators found Nigerian religious videos, which were alleged tagged porn films. Sadly enough during his detention, they attempted to poison him, concluded the witness.