By Dr. Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu

Dr Halilu Hamman, I have noted your reaction to my call to persons close to one young man called Yerima Shettima to caution him for his latest outburst that is clearly disrespectful to one of the most respected elder statesmen of Nigeria. You did not help matters by saying that Yerima spoke the truth. And I ask, what truth?

First, you and Yerima – that young man notorious for talking too much and mostly with intent to provoke crisis – must understand that the South-East did not ask His Excellency, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, to issue that statement of “kneeling and begging” that has swollen your heads and made you to now think that you are givers and takers of life itself.

And I want you to understand that all Nigerian cultures share respect for elders. Yerima has demonstrated rudeness to and taken advantage of an octogenarian who only made an attempt at humour that has obviously been misinterpreted by certain persons of certain distant cultures.

For that, I maintain that Yerima must be cautioned by those he claims to represent. Northern youths I know are well-mannered. I also think that Yerima should apologize to the respected former Super Permanent Secretary of Nigeria and former Governor of Anambra State, a Harvard University-educated scholar whose status in the Nigerian society has been denigrated by a young man of unknown background.

I recall that in one of his many previous outbursts, Yerima said that the only South-Easterner he would accept to be President of Nigeria in 2023 is Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. What has changed, so much so that Yerima’s endorsement of Senator Kalu has apparently shifted beyond 2023? Has Senator Kalu not satisfied Yerima as expected.

Indeed, one might suspect that Yerima’s anger at what Dr Ezeife said could be because Yerima wants something other than “kneeling and begging” from the South-East for his endorsement. If that is the case, he should come out with it and we would answer him appropriately.

Already, from reactions to Yerima’s latest outburst on various platforms, the majority verdict is that Yerima Shettima is the North’s answer to Femi Fani-Kayode and would sing for anyone who gives him food.

A large number of other views dismiss Yerima as a blackmailer and an attention seeker with his unguarded bombastic outbursts, which include his threats and ultimatums.

I have news for this Yerima. Over 80% of Nigerians didn’t need the South-East to kneel and beg before wanting President Buhari’s successor to come from the South-East.

Nigerians who want security, peace, unity and prosperity for themselves and for the country will vote for a credible South-Easterner (not necessarily Yerima’s preference) in 2023. It is either individuals like Yerima join the train now or they will remain marooned at a lonely siding.

Dr. Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu is the National Coordinator for the South-East APC Presidency Project 2023. He can be reached via 09052910866 or 08023163451.

Source: StreetReporters.ng