A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has admitted that efforts to build support for a proposed Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket are facing hurdles but expressed confidence that the challenges can be overcome. Speaking on Arise Television's Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Galadima said the alliance had encountered resistance, though he maintained that the obstacles were not beyond resolution.
According to him, political negotiations often continue despite deep disagreements, citing international diplomacy as an example. “We have a lot of problems. We are having a lot of problems, but the problems are not insurmountable. We will overcome those problems.”
Drawing a comparison with the Middle East, he said, “Let me give you one typical example. There is a war right now going on in the Middle East between America and Iran, but at the same time, they are on the negotiation table. So it doesn’t matter. And you should know that the Americans killed their Ayatollah, the new leader’s father, but they are still on the negotiation. They are negotiating to make peace.”
Galadima also appealed to Nigerians not to blame the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the events surrounding the 1966 military coup, arguing that individuals should not be held responsible for historical incidents they had no part in. He stressed that national reconciliation requires looking beyond past grievances.
Recalling a conversation involving a friend who authored a book on the 1966 coup, Galadima said, “I have a friend, Dr D. N. Okechukwu, who wrote a book about the 1966 coup, and he went to see a prominent northern leader, and the man said he doesn’t want to see him. That Igbos killed our leaders. He said you have to listen to me.”
Questioning attempts to link Obi, with the events of 1966, Galadima said, “Did Obi? How old was Obi in 1966? How would he carry the cross of those who did it? It doesn’t matter even if he did it.”
The NDC chieftain pointed to the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as an example of reconciliation after conflict, noting that he was pardoned following the Nigerian Civil War and later returned to participate in the country's democratic process.
“You’ve just shown me Odumegwu Ojukwu. His action caused the death of his own people and other people, but he was forgiven and pardoned and came back to Nigeria and participated in the electoral processes of forming a government.”
Galadima further argued that discussions about the 1966 crisis should acknowledge that people from different ethnic groups suffered losses, adding, “So, if, for example, let’s assume that what these people are saying is true, have they also, if the Igbos killed our leaders, have they also looked at the other side? How many Igbos also got killed?” He maintained that lasting national unity can only be achieved through reconciliation and constructive engagement across ethnic and political divides.
