The Real Unifier – Truly water has no enemies! -By Azuka Onwuka

Growing up, an uncle of mine (Mr Afam Ofodeme – the father of Kingsley Rapulu Ofodeme ) was called the salutation name Mmili-enwe-ilo (River/water has no enemies). Its meaning was not clear to me. Later, I heard Fela use it in a song: “Water no get enemy” (water has no enemies).

Gradually its meaning began to be clear to me.

Today, #PeterObi visited Femi Kuti, the first son of Fela, and put that principle into practicality that he is like water which has no enemies. It flows to all places, whether it is wanted or not. People of all races and ages and mannerisms use it.

When I was 15 years old and in secondary school, I read the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and took a decision not to fight again or exchange curse words with people. Initially it was hard, especially given that l was growing up and in an all-male boarding school where boys would act rough and hard to prove that they were boys.

But somehow, I went on with the decision. Shortly after, it became easy. But even though people tell me that they admire how I keep my cool when provoked, I marvel at how Peter Obi reacts to attacks.

Wike came to Anambra and ridiculed Peter Obi right in his own territory. Obi did not respond. He eventually visited Wike.

Obi left the PDP but has never said one negative thing about the party.

Reno Omokri ridiculed Peter Obi. Obi did not respond.

Mbaka ridiculed Peter Obi in 2019 and again in 2022
and made negative pronouncements against him. Obi did not respond.

Kwankwaso ridiculed him. Omatseye ridiculed him. Tinubu ridiculed his party and pronounced an evil wish on them. In all that, Obi did not respond. He did not retaliate.

Despite how I have built myself not to engage in cursing and fighting, if you insult me or ridicule me, it is not every time that I keep quiet. I will not use a curse word against you, but I will most likely respond, especially to puncture any false claim made against me.

When I see someone who does much more than what I can do, I usually doff my hat to the person!

Obi operates on a completely different level.

The way Obi resolves issues is mind-blowing. He uses humility, forgiveness and love to disarm even his worst critics and opponents. I believe that if he were the candidate of the PDP or APC, the parties would not be facing the current crises. He would have unified all aggrieved factions without doling out huge sums of cash as most of our politicians are wont to do.

And his energy is amazing. In the morning, he is in Sokoto; in the afternoon, he is in Abuja; by the same evening, he is in Lagos. Yet he does not use a private jet.

May God continue to strengthen him and keep him safe for the great national task of reconciliation and rebuilding ahead.