08/08/2026
IGBO TRADITION AND THE POWER OF AN ELDER’S WORDS
By Emmanuel Kanayo
In 1983, after Alhaji Shehu Shagari was declared winner of the presidential election, his two major opponents, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, rejected the result. They insisted the election was massively rigged.
Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, described Shagari’s victory as _“an inglorious victory.”_
The young and brash Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, then Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, responded with scorn. He dismissed the elder statesman’s outcry as _“the rantings of an ant.”_
But Azikiwe was more than a politician. To many, he embodied wisdom and age. His reply was measured, yet weighty:
_“My son, since you have decided to mock the wisdom of old age, you shall rise to the very peak of Nigerian politics. But at the height of your glory, you shall fall down and die unsung. If it is in the nature of the Igbos to respect old age, let my words come to pass. But if we no longer do, then let my words truly be the rantings of an ant.”_
Within weeks, the military struck and overthrew Shagari’s government. Okadigbo was out of power.
Fifteen years later, democracy returned in 1999. Dr. Chuba Okadigbo came back into politics and was elected into the Senate. In a matter of months, he was elected Senate President — the Oyi of Oyi. He was widely regarded as the most charismatic Senate President Nigeria had seen. Even his colleagues referred to him as their “lecturer.” As the No. 3 citizen, he stood firm for legislative independence and refused to make the National Assembly a rubber stamp of the Executive.
But at the very height of his glory, trouble began. Impeachment proceedings were initiated against him over allegations of financial misconduct. It was clear the Executive, led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was tired of his resistance to interference.
Okadigbo fought back with everything he had, even taking the Senate mace from Abuja to Ogbunike Cave. He lost. His impeachment was humiliating. His political brilliance, charm, and popularity could not save him.
He was pushed out of the PDP and could not return to the Senate in 2003. He joined the ANPP and became running mate to Muhammadu Buhari.
As an opposition leader, he experienced first-hand what Azikiwe felt in 1983. At a protest rally against another disputed election, he and Buhari were teargassed by police. Okadigbo never recovered from the effects.
Oyi of Oyi died from complications arising from that incident. And in a final twist of fate, his burial in Anambra coincided with Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Nigeria. The dignitaries who should have honored him were all in Abuja. He died, just as the elder said, _unsung_.
*The Lesson*
This story is bigger than politics. It is about _Igbo respect for elders_.
In Igbo tradition, elders are not to be mocked. They are custodians of wisdom, history, and morality. _“Nwa na-asa aka ya nke oma, ya na ndi okenye eri nri.”_ A child who washes his hands well eats with elders.
Owelle did not curse with anger. He spoke as an elder. And whether we call it prophecy, wisdom, or consequence, the words came to pass exactly.
Power fades. Titles vanish. But the words of an elder, spoken in truth, outlive governments.
Let us learn temperance. Let us learn respect. No matter the provocation, no matter the office, _age must be honored_.
Because when you mock the wisdom of old age, history may just prove the elder right.
