The spill over effect of the ongoing North-South succession dichotomy vis the question of zoning and the eligibility of Jonathan’s candidature is now taking its poll and fast undermining the smooth running of the affairs of the Nigeria Commission in Malaysia.
The spill over effect of the ongoing North-South succession dichotomy vis the question of zoning and the eligibility of Jonathan’s candidature is now taking its poll and fast undermining the smooth running of the affairs of the Nigeria Commission in Malaysia.
In the eyes of the ragging storm, is the Southern caucus which is under the caucus headship of Mr. Peter Anegeh, who despite his retirement in June 2010, is still holding on as the Nigeria High Commissioner to Malaysia. Other members of the Anegeh’s group include Mrs. Dupe Quist Adebiyi, Ms. Francisca O. A. Marinho and one Mrs. Josephine I. Adizue. Another influential member of the Southern group who has been hobnobbing with the Northern group as well is one Mr. Muhammad Ghali, who has just secured a place in the High Commission through what our sources revealed as being questionable.
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The Northern group which is at the receiving end of the ethnic battering comprises Mr. Mohammed M. Arzika, Mr. Murtala Umar, Mr. Yusuf Remawa and Mr. Hamidu Ibrahim, who is now back in Nigeria.
Findings reveal that what has now degenerated into a full blown ethnicization of the affairs of the commission originally stated as a divide and rule ploy by Mr. Anegeh in order to get things work in his favour. It was this antics that placed on frequent collision course, various officials of the Commission, hence, the gradual polarization of the Commission into warring factions. The follow-on tension which was at its initial stage perceivable only by those who are in a way or the other close to the activities of the Commission, assumed an unpleasant dimension following the retirement of Peter in June 2010. It was at this stage that the whole thing escalated and became ethnicized.
Weary of Arzika as his natural successor, especially in an acting capacity, Mr. Anegeh fast tracked the former’s redeployment back to Nigeria. Mrs. Dupe Quist Adebiyi, the most favoured by Anegeh, was in turn drafted to take over the role of Arzika as the Deputy Ambassador. With this, it was considered that the disclosure of the questionable activities of Anegeh by “an alien” is foreclosed, as one of his trustees, Quist Adebiyi is now in a position to deputize on Anegeh’s behalf after his exist, until a new High Commissioner arrives.
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However, the calculation changed when the sudden redeployment of Arzika started to has repercussive effects on Anegeh. Fearful of being made to answer some questions, especially on the shoddy expenses made in recent times, it required a fast and deft move from Anegeh to bring the situation under control by recalling Arzika back to his duty post. It was this sudden departure and arrival of Arzika which attracted the attention of this eagle-eyed observer who as a result launched a high-powered investigation into the ongoing drama.
While offering his side of the story, one of the right hand persons of Anegeh disclosed that “oga had boosted on a number of occasions that he would determine who shall succeed him and those who shall leave before him.” When queried how true such claim is, the fellow simply replied by rhetorically asking, “is this not possible for a man who has refused to leave his duty post months after he had collected his terminal benefits?” He went further to reveal that Anegeh is banking on his acquaintance with some big shots from the South-South to let things happened as planned. As further leant, these big shots have made it possible for Anegeh to hold on to his post as the High Commissioner months after his retirement.
Another source further hinted that Anegeh has warned all those that care to listen that the decision to leave is his, and that whoever petitions his continuous stay in office will end the way he dealt with those he once worked with in Indonesia.
When asked to shed more light on the Indonesia saga, the source narrated how Anegeh scuttled the re-nomination of Ambassador Zaidu Muhammad by President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ambassador Zaidu, the then Nigeria Ambassador to Indonesia whose Deputy was Anegeh was shocked when he heard of the petition written against his re-nomination by the latter. Although Anegeh who was not on ground to defend the various allegations which were leveled against Zaidu, was able to achieve his aim through a network of connections which involved his link with late Stela Obasanjo and a host of other South-South big persons who are within the corridor of power. When reached to confirm the veracity of this claim, a staff of the Nigeria High Commission in Indonesia who witnessed the saga confirmed the story and promised to furnish the investigating team with the details of the petition that was written by Anegeh.
A floating member of the Commission who is not comfortable with the messy development also narrated how Ambassador A.G Bala who is now in Kuwait was also unceremoniously treated by Anegeh after his redeployment from Malaysia to his new station. “The man has strong connection,” the insider’s source lamented. The staff wondered, “what does Oga wants to gain with all this, as the whole thing is as if the South is now fighting the North in the Commission”.
Each camp, as the situation now suggests, are now set to go for each-other’s jugular as those at the receiving end might be interested in fighting back. They won’t simply let go any attempt to intimidate them through what is now being considered as ethnic ploy to sideline some staff of the Commission.
As a detribalized Nigerian who has been challenging the leadership of Peter Anegeh’s inability to manage the affairs of Nigerians in Malaysia, I am calling on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene as this may compromise the harmonious existence of Nigerians in Malaysia. I am afraid this may polarize the Malaysian Chapter of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, which emergent fact on its yahoo group strongly suggests is being plotted to be hijacked by Anegeh who is planning to hand pick its next batch of executives.
Mathew Sangogbemi is a resident of Malaysia ([email protected])
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