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Ohanaeze On Nnaji's Ministerial Nomination
BY RALPH NDIGWE
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has noted with dismay media reports quoting the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) as saying that it will go on a strike if Professor Bart Nnaji, the eminently successful engineering scholar and entrepreneur, is appointed the Minister of Power because of his commitment to the implementation of the power sector reform, as contained in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 and the Road Map for Power Sector. Ohanaeze considers this threat misguided and in bad faith. It is brazenly unpatriotic.
Millions of Nigerian citizens voted overwhelmingly for Dr Goodluck Jonathan in the April, 2011, presidential election because of his key promise to overhaul the electricity sector through, principally, the privatisation of 17 of the 18 Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies. It will, therefore, amount to sheer narcissism if a few labour leaders insist that their personal preference should take precedence over the sovereign will of the Nigerian people who voted overwhelmingly for electric power sector reform by voting for president Jonathan in the said election. The sovereign of our people must remain inviolate and sacrosanct in all circumstances and at all times.
Besides, it is not the right of any labour leaders to dictate to the president who should be appointed a minister and who should not, and the portfolio to be assigned each minister. If President Jonathan, under whom Professor Nnaji has worked in the last one year as the special adviser on Power and chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power is obviously impressed with him and wants to make Nnaji the Minister of Power so as to more robustly translate the president's vision of electricity development into reality, the least that should be expected from the public is cooperation. It is unfortunate that, despite PHCN's calamitous and glaring failure as a state-owned enterprise which has paralysed Nigeria's social and economic development, the union of junior electricity workers wants the status quo in the power sector to remain, the status quo of about 50,000 PHCN employees producing a mere 2,300 megawatts of electricity for 150 millioni Nigerians and their businesses whereas private power generating companies like Shell, AES and Agip, with fewer than 1000 workers, constantly produce 1,1000mw.
Worse, both the PHCN transmission and distribution networks are in a mess. The fuel-to-power arrangement has been a shambles also. All this means that the PHCN has been generating and supplying more heat than light over the decades. This state of affairs causes mass disaffection in the polity and exacerbates the chasm between the government and the citizens. It will cost the nation $10 billion annually in power sector investments for the next 10 years to generate 40,000mw, the irreducible quantum of electricity required to make our economy a truly medium size one by the year 2020. This huge financial outlay is not available to the government, which is grappling with the challenge of other competing demands. In any case, there is little to show for the billions of dollars spent on the PHCN in recent times. All this makes a fundamental restructuring of the power sector a matter of national urgency.
We are satisfied that Prof Nnaji is, without a doubt, the best person to drive the reform at this point in our national life. He has worked meritoriously as the special adviser to the president on Power and as chairman of the Presidential Task on Power. He played a critical role in increasing the country's quantum of power from 2,800mw to 4,000mw within only one year. His Road Map for Power Sector Reform, launched by the president in Lagos on August 26, 2010, has helped restore confidence in the government's ability to deliver the goods. Indeed, no Nigerian matches Nnaji's record in power sector development. The professor built in record time in 2001 the 22mw Abuja Emergency Power Plant which was operated successfully for three years, as it supplied quality and uninterrupted electricity to Aso Rock, International Conference Centre, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Central Business District. The 188mw Aba Integrated Independent Power Project which he initiated is due for commissioning early next year, despite such severe difficulties as security challenge in Aba. The whole country looks forward to the commissioning of this pioneering and path-breaking project.
It is truly an incomprehensible paradox that some labour activists should be opposed to Nnaji, who has done so much for the well being of workers. He was instrumental to the release of N57 billion for payment of monetisation benefits to PHCN employees which were denied them for seven years. He has worked to regularise 10,000 PHCN casual workers. In addition, he has recommended that their salaries be increased by 50%. Nigerians support the liberalisation of the power sector because it will, among other things, create immense business and job opportunities as is now in the telecoms sector following its liberalisation, enable the sector employees to earn handsomely like their counterparts in telecoms and work with state-of-the-art equipment and in a sophisticated environment.
We would like, at this point, to remind NUEE that, since Nigeria is not a lawless country, it must abide by the laws of the land. The Essential Services Act prohibits PHCN workers from going on strike. The Supreme Court has affirmed the validity of this law. It is tragic that NUEE directed its members to go on a strike on August 25, 2010, in a desperate attempt to abort the presentation of the Road Map for Power Sector Reform. Because the NUEE leadership was not made to feel the full weight of the law when it flagrantly violated the law and a key Supreme Court judgment, it had the temerity to direct its followers to go on a sympathy strike toward the end of last year when the Nigeria Labour Congress went on a strike to press for increased pay for Nigerian workers. The president, the Attorney General of the federation and minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police and the director-general of the State Security Service are hereby called upon to take all necessary actions to uphold all laws of the land and maintain the integrity of Supreme Court pronouncements in respect of NUEE's newly created culture of wild cat strikes.
Let it be stated for the umpteenth time, that PHCN assets belong to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and not a few misguided trade unionists. It is very irregular for these trade unionists to attempt to dictate to the government which owns the assets whether to bring in the private sector into the ownership and management of the assets. In consideration of the above, it is our view that only agents of darkness can afford to oppose the appointment of someone like Prof Nnaji as the minister of Power.
If Nnaji is appointed to this position, it will be the first time an Igbo-speaking Nigerian will be entrusted with this critical office. Therefore, all 60 million Ndigbo in Nigeria and elsewhere will be grateful to President Jonathan if he makes history this time by making a world class engineering professor of Igbo extraction the minister of Power, as he did when he appointed Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the first Igbo person to hold the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
God bless Nigeria.
Ndigwe is publicity secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
Source: Leadership, 4th July 2011.
Ministerial appointment: Ohanaeze slams PHCN workers over Nnaji
By Tony Edike
ENUGU — THE apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the threat by the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, that it would proceed on strike if Professor Barth Nnaji was appointed Minister of Power, saying it considered the threat misguided and brazenly unpatriotic.
The organization said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ralph Ndigwe, that it was of the view that only agents of darkness could afford to oppose the appointment of someone like Prof Nnaji as the Minister of Power.
He stressed that Nnaji's appointment to head the Power Ministry would be the first time, since Nigeria's independence, "that an Igbo-speaking Nigerian eminently qualified for the job will be entrusted with this critical assignment on which the much needed effective industrialization of our country entirely depends."
Expressing satisfaction with the nomination of Prof. Nnaji by President Goodluck Jonathan, Ohanaeze said the over 60 million Ndigbo in Nigeria and abroad fully support the President's patriotic and demonstrable efforts to move the country forward by ensuring steady power supply.
The statement read in part: "Millions of Nigerian citizens voted overwhelmingly for Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in the April, 2011, presidential election because of his key promise to overhaul the electricity sector through, principally, privatization of 17 of the 18 Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, successor companies.
"It will, therefore, amount to sheer narcissism if a few labour leaders insist that their personal preference should take precedence over the sovereign will of the Nigerian people who voted overwhelmingly for electric power sector reform by voting for President Jonathan in the said election."
Besides, it is not the right of any labour leaders to dictate to the president who should be appointed a minister and who should not, and the portfolio to be assigned to each minister.
" If President Jonathan, under whom professor Nnaji has worked in the last one year as the Special Adviser on Power and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power is obviously impressed with him and wants to make Nnaji the Minister of Power so as to more robustly translate the president's vision of electricity development into reality, the least that should be expected from the public is cooperation."
The Ohanaeze said that was unfortunate that despite PHCN's calamitous and glaring failure as a state-owned enterprise which has paralysed Nigeria's social and economic development, "the union of junior electricity workers wants the status quo in the power sector to remain, the statusquo of about 50,000 PHCN employees producing a mere 2,300Megawatts of electricity for 150m Nigerians and their businesses whereas private generating companies like shell, AES and Agip, with fewer than 1000 workers, constantly produce 1,1000MW.
"Worse, both the PHCN transmission and distribution networks are in a mess. The fuel-to-power arrangement has been a shambles also. All this means that the PHNC has been generating and supplying dissatisfaction," the organization said.
The group added that it would cost the nation $10b annually in power sector investments for the next 10 years to generate 40,000 MW, the irreducible quantum of electricity required to make our economy a truly medium size one by the year 2020.
"This huge financial outlay is not available to the government, which is grappling with the challenge of other competing demands. In any case, there is little to show for the billions of dollars spent on the PHNC in recent times. All this makes a fundamental restructuring of the power sector a matter of national urgency."
Ohanaeze, however, stated that it had confidence in the ability of Prof. Nnaji to drive the power sector reform having worked meritoriously as the Special Adviser to the President on Power and as Chairman of the Presidential Task on Power.
"He played a critical role in increasing the country's quantum of power from 2,800MW to 4,000MW within only one year. His Road map for Power Sector Reform, launched by the President in Lagos on August 26, 2010, has helped restore confidence in the government's ability to deliver the goods. "Indeed, no Nigerian matches Nnaji's record in
Power sector development. The professor built in record time in 2001 the 22MW Abuja Emergency PowerPlant which was operated successfully for three years, as it supplied quality and uninterrupted electricity to Aso Rock, International Conference Centre, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Central Business District, Abuja.
"The 188 Aba Integrated Independent Power Project which he initiated is due for commissioning
early next year, despite such severe difficulties as security challenge in Aba . The whole country looks forward to the commissioning of this pioneering and path breaking project," the apex Igbo organization stated.
Source: Vanguard, 4th July 2011.
S'East Govs, Ohanaeze, Demand New Revenue Sharing Formula
FROM LAWRENCE NJOKU (ENUGU) AND WOLE OYEBADE (LAGOS)
THE governors of the five South-East states as well as political leaders of note across the region met yesterday in Enugu where they joined in the clamour for the review of revenue sharing formula as basis for the payment of the new minimum wage.
At the meeting held in Government House, Enugu were Secretary to Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Sullivan Chime (Enugu); Theodore Orji (Abia); Peter Obi (Anambra); Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ralph Uwaechue.
Also, people of South-East have called on the Federal Government and elected officials in the region to pursue good governance and fast-track development process in the area. .
The South-East Forum (SEF) made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a "strategy meeting on democracy and governance in the South East," which reviewed current challenges confronting the states in the region.
Stressing that the zone was ready and willing to pay the new minimum wage of N18,000 which had since been signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan, the South-East leaders insisted on the review of the sharing formula to make up for the shortfall and financial burden the new wage would put on the South-East states.
The leaders also revisited the abandoned Zik's Centre, a project initiated by Anyim during his tenure as Senate President to immortalise the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and pledged their commitment to ensuring its completion.
Reading a nine-point communiqué reached at the end of the over five-hour meeting, Chairman, South-East Governors Forum, Obi, restated the commitment of the zone to supporting the President Jonathan led administration, stressing that they would do this by carrying their people along.
The communiqué added: "We have resolved to meet regularly on issues affecting the region and Nigeria. The various states as a zone remain committed to the payment of N18,000 minimum wage as prescribed by law. We join the clamour for the review of sharing formula so as to help the states pay the new minimum wage". .
The South-East leaders also expressed their gratitude to God for the quick recovery of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, from his illness.
They also thanked President Jonathan for appointing Anyim as Secretary to Government of the Federation and wished their kinsman well on his new duties. .
They also congratulated the National Assembly for the election of Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Ihedioha, promising to work with them and others for the good of Ndigbo and Nigeria. .
The SEF noted that in the 2011 general elections, the electorate hoped for the emergence of public office holders who would reflect the will of the people but have since been disappointed.
It wrote: "Their vigilance in pursuit of this desire resulted in outcomes that were celebrated in the states. On the whole however, the existing political leadership of the region has been a disappointment to the people of the state and federal levels."
Source: The Guardian, 13th June 2011.
S'East PDP, Ohanaeze Hail Anyim's Appointment
By Olusola Fabiyi
The South-East zone of the Peoples Democratic Party has applauded the appointment of Senator Pius Anyim as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
It described his appointment as deserving, saying the former president of the Senate would serve the country well.
According to the Vice-Chairman of the party in the zone, Chief Olisa Metu, who spoke with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, with Anyim's appointment, President Goodluck Jonathan had demonstrated he would be a listening leader.
Metu said, "We (Igbo) see the appointment of Senator Anyim as the Secretary to Government as product of merit; product of our generation and it would further help in deepening our democracy.
"His appointment has shown that President Jonathan would be a listening President and would be willing to carry the people along. What he has done has come to show that the morning is going to herald the day in his administration."
He added that the appointment of Anyim was also a representation of the generational change, which he said, the office of President Jonathan represents.
Meanwhile, investigations by our correspondent in Abuja had shown that the emergence of Anyim was the outcome of the meeting held in Abuja last Thursday where all the Igbo leaders endorsed him.
Those at the meeting were Chief Emeka Offor; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Ralph Uwaechue; and the former president, Prof. Joe Irukwu.
The Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, was also part of the meeting. All of them were said to have endorsed him.
A source, who spoke with our correspondent, said President Jonathan had assured the Igbo that he would not marginalise them in his government and urged them to accept the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party "in the interest of the nation."
Also, Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan's appointment of Senator Pius Anyim Pius as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Enugu that Anyim was a reliable person, who would carry out his duties effectively.
According to him, appointing Anyim as SGF would reduce the marginalisation of the Igbos.
"We in Igboland are happy because the man that has been named has antecedents that show that he is a great Igbo man apart from being a great Nigerian.
"When he was president of the Senate, you saw his antecedents, firm, fair-minded and steadfast. I am sure that Mr President has not done a bad choice."
The secretary-general said the Igbos supported the leadership of President Jonathan, assuring that he (Jonathan) would not be disappointed.
He, however, urged Anyim to ensure the Igbos were fully represented.
"He must ensure that Ndigbo gets their due share, make sure that he gives others their own due share.
"I am not asking him to go there and become parochial, show them that Ndigbo are true Nigerians," he said.
Source: Punch, 1st June 2011.
SGF: Maduekwe's Name Missing
... As Ohaneze sends list to Jonathan
From MODESTUS CHUKWULAKA, Abuja
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Nd'Igbo, at the weekend submitted the names of four persons to President Goodluck Jonathan for consideration as the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). Those in list included former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, season academics, Profs. Uzodinma Nwala and Ben Obumselu and the current Director of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Emeka Eze.
Daily Sun learnt in Abuja yesterday that the decision was in response to the decision of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the office to the South-East. The shortlisted names had already been sent to the President.
A source close to the organisation said over the weekend that the presidency had asked for input from Ohaneze as it widened its search for the plum position in order to placate the group which felt hard done by, when its pleas that the speakership of the House of Representatives be zoned to the South-east appeared to had fallen on deaf ears.
The presidency it was learnt, had earlier asked the five governors of the zone to recommend names for possible appointment for the zone, but was forced to have a rethink when "each governor wanted his crony for the job."
Although the source said the President could still make his pick from outside the list submitted by Ohaneze, the source said the organization would feel slighted if Jonathan was swayed by personal interests of people from outside the zone in deciding on becomes the next SGF.
"Ohaneze insisted, and told the President that whoever occupied the highest position zoned to Igboland in the incoming administration must represent the interest of the zone without compromising on the high demands of the office as the clearing house for government activities. These four people met those criteria," the source said.
The presidency appeared to have decided to work with the list sent to the organization, a source close to it said last night that Jonathan was not likely to do anything that would suggest that he was spliting the South-east again.
However, he added as a caveat, "people should not be surprised if the President settles for a dark horse. He did not say who could be the dark horse among the three even though he said the usual intra- zonal politicking that characterizes the zone was already at play that "zoning has to reflect spread."
According to him, in terms of Politics, the South-east was made up of two sub-groups: the old Anambra (Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi) and old Imo (Abia and Imo). He pointed out that since the former had already occupied a plum job zoned to the South-east with respect to the Deputy Senate President , it would only be fair, just and equitable that the SGF should come to the latter. Besides, he noted that the Deputy National Chairman of the PDP for the South-east also comes from the Old Anambra axis. Anyim, who hails from Ebonyi State was the Senate President until May 29, 2007. He contested for the chairmanship of the PDP but had to step down for Chief Vincent Ogbulafor following the consensus arrangement at the party's national convention in 2008.
Prof. Ben Obumselu from Anambra State an English Language scholar was described as a throughbred Igbo man who had been active in Ohaneze issue for many years. Like Obumselu, Eze, an engineer, hails from Anambra state.
Prof. Nwala from Imo state was a key member of the G-34 that metamorphosed into the PDP in 1998. Besides authoring the first constitution of the PDP, he was said to have played a key role in the adoption of "some key elements of the 1999 Constitution – such as the six zone structure, the federal character principle and the jacking up of the derivative fund from 3 per cent 13 percent - through his activities at the Constitutional Conference of 1995.
Jonathan is expected to announced his choice this Sunday after the inauguration.
Source: Sun, 23rd May 2011.
Zoning: S'east Govs, Ohaneze, Traditional Rulers to Meet
From PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Following the perceived marginalization of the people of the South-east in the zoning of political positions at the federal level, opinion leaders in the zone are to meet with the governors of the five states to review the situation and take a stand on the current sharing formula adopted by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Chairman, South-east Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Cletus Illomuanya told newsmen after a meeting of traditional rulers at the Nike Lake Hotel Enugu that an enlarged body of leaders of the zone would meet this weekend to look at the best way to tackle the injustice being meted out to Igbo's.
The meeting, which is expected to hold in Enugu this weekend is coming on the heels of a recent call by the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) on the people of the zone to show confidence in President Goodluck Jonathan and give him more time to show appreciation.
President of the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Evangelist Elliot Ukoh had in a press statement in Enugu condemned what he described as recent bickering and cacophony of demands trailing the current zoning of political positions.
While admitting that Ndigbo deserves justice and equity, he warned that the agitation emanating from Igboland over sharing of political offices could get out of hand if not contained now.
"The clamour for Senate presidency or speakership of the House of Representatives by the South-east is justified, the demand for chairmanship of the PDP and the allotment of the office of the SGF are all welcome by Ndigbo. In fact, we deserve more than all these, having been marginalized for forty one years."But above all of these, Ndigbo still believe in Jonathan, we believe that he understands our plight as a people oppressed for decades and denied their dues. We know that Jonathan's break of a new dawn will enthrone equity; we still believe in Jonathan," he contended.
Those expected to attend the Enugu meeting which is being summoned at the instance of the traditional rulers are the leadership of Ohaneze, political office holders from the zone, the governors as well as select traditional rulers from the five states of the South-east. Last weekend, the governors of the zone met with elder statesman and former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme at the Enugu Government House in what was believed to be an attempt to handle the vexed issue of zoning which has not favoured the zone.
Also in attendance at the Enugu meeting, which held for about three hours was the South east National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Olisah Metu. Chairman of the Governors' Forum and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi refused to disclose the outcome of the meeting, saying; "We deliberated on a number of issues which we decided that for now we are not going to make comment on but as we continue, we'll make statement on them."
Source: Sun, 19th May 2011.
N'Assembly: S'East Govs, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Insist on Speaker
By Onwuka Nzeshi
The clamour by the South-East geo-political zone to produce the next Speaker of the House of Representatives received a major boost Monday as the chairman of the Governors Forum in the zone, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state assured that he would lead other governors in the zone to meet President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party on the issue.
Also Monday, the leadership of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo threw its weight behind the agitation and urged the ruling party to take into consideration the massive support the party received across the five states in the South East zone during the just concluded general elections. Obi's pledge to intervene in the matter came after he met with some serving members of the House of Representatives from the South East zone at the Government House, Awka, Anambra State.
The lawmakers at the meeting had told Obi that the zone having voted massively for the Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential poll and other elections deserved to be compensated with either the position of Speaker or President of the Senate. The meeting, it was learnt resolved to intensify the campaign and lobby to avoid the zone being short-changed in the power sharing game.
President of the pan-Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue urged President Goodluck Jonathan and leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party to accede to the request of the people of the zone to produce one of the two presiding officers of the seventh session of the National Assembly.
Uwechue who spoke Monday in Abuja noted that the South zone gave an overwhelming support both to the president and the PDP in the last elections, insisting that the "reward system must be commensurate with the support" the party got in the zone. He said that it was 'payback" time and warned that the Igbos must not be excluded from getting deserving positions under any guise.
"The PDP as a political party got total support from Igboland. The long and short is that we want something from the National Assembly and they (South East lawmakers) have said it: it is either senate presidency or the speaker of the House of Representatives. We want a position that is commensurate with the PDP success in the zone, a just position: a position that is fair to the Igbos, to Nigerians and to everybody.
"But let us say that the support and contribution of Ndigbo to the victory of Jonathan and the PDP at the polls must be duly rewarded because the Igbo sacrificed a lot to get Jonathan to where he is now: we are entitled to something that will reflect the investment and sacrifice in the power equation in the country", Uwechue said.
The South East caucus in the House of Representatives had earlier demanded for leadership of either the Senate or the House of Representatives, insisting that they would not accept any other office in the incoming National Assembly.
Source: This Day, 10th May 2011.
Ohanaeze Demands Nwodo's Reinstatement
By Tony Edike
DISTURBED by the absence of a representative of Ndigbo in the National Working Committee, NWC, of the ruling People's Democratic Party, PDP, after the removal of the former national chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ebonyi State chapter, has called for his immediate recall.
The group said Nwodo remained the best option in search of who to fill the vacant position he was forced out of, stressing that "as leaders of Ndigbo youths, we find it unacceptable that the South East is not represented in the highest organ of the ruling party".
The Ohanaeze youth wing asked President Goodluck Jonathan to "recall how Nwodo put in all in his arsenal and defied powerful lobbies to shut him (Jonathan) out of the presidential race over zoning" and initiate moves to recall him immediately.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu, state youth president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ebonyi State, Mazi Okemiri Alex, stated that since the crisis in the party had worsened, even after Nwodo was forced to quit, "it is now clear that if his reform programme had been allowed to take effect, the party would have been the better for it now.
"It is now very clear that Nwodo meant well for the party as his reform package would have taken care of the acrimony now threatening the victory of the party at the polls."
Stating that "the time to recall him is now and not later", the group contended that all Nwodo stood for in trying to open the gate of the party for those angling to come was exactly what President Jonathan was now preaching in calling for reconciliation and for aggrieved members to remain instead of leaving the party.
Protesting the current state of affairs, he maintained that it was not acceptable to Ndigbo that another person from another zone would be allowed to occupy a sensitive position zoned to the South East "when the Igbo man who was removed gave a good account of himself as a man of integrity.
"I am, therefore, on behalf of Igbo youths, calling on President Jonathan to recall Dr. Nwodo to office as the vacuum created by his exit has remained unfilled and the evidence is seen in the confusion in the party, where the party leadership is unable to solve any of the lingering problems."
The group further called on "Igbo leaders, especially those who are in PDP and continue to watch while Ndigbo are being sidelined wrongly to rise up now and reject this treatment to Nwodo while some others now in NWC who actually worked against the president are there now holding sway and pretending to be Jonathan's friends".
They alleged that those who forced Nwodo to quit the exalted office are enemies of Ndigbo who actually saw the man's profile rising as one of the voices of conscience for the nation as he strove to restore dignity and discipline to the ruling party.
Source: Vanguard, 17th February 2011.
Akunyili, South East Governors and the Ohaneze
CHURCHILL OKONKWO
One of the few things you learn quickly as Onyeigbo commenting on national issues is never to open your mouth wide against Ndigbo even when that appears to be the only sensible thing to do. As 2011 election draws near, the high level of scavenging and hypocrisy from politician in the Southeastern Nigeria have once more exposed the political naivety in Igbo nation.
Suddenly, every politician is seeking political relevance by championing and Igbo cause. Listen to Dora Akunyili recently on the purported zoning of the Senate president to south-Westby PDP; "I want to believe that what was said in the media was not correct. But if it is correct, it is going to be really painful because it means that the Igbo are no longer in Nigeria's equation. If we are not president, we are not vice-president, we are not Senate president and we are not Speaker, where are we?"
She added that; "It has happened before and I believe this time around, it should not if we really believe in one Nigeria." Really? Is that you Dora? Let me first state that I'm that I'm not an apostle of zoning. For a political party like PDP that have adopted zoning to the extent its inclusion in their constitution, I think it's left for them to decide which zone gets what. If my professor is so much interested in PDP and their zoning wahala, I wonder what she is doing in APGA.
Secondary and most importantly, if she thinks zoning is needed for Ndigbo to remain relevant in Nigerian equation, I wonder what she thinks about zoning in Anambra state for some towns and local governments to remain relevant in the state's political equation. Hypocrisy?
Rewind: few weeks ago when told that it is unfair for herself, the state Governor Peter Obi and another APGA senatorial candidate Joy Emordi - all from "the same town" - to be contesting for elective positions, she was quick to point out that it has happened before. So, professor Akunyili is deceiving Ndi Anambra Central senatorial zone by championing her believe in one Nigeria on one hand and Five Anambras on the other. Doesn't common sense tell her that it is painful to Ndi Anambra Central that herself and the state governor are monopolizing political offices in the state?
Professor Akunyili's actions in the past few months have demonstrated that she is motivated primarily by the basic urge to preserve herself. That was why she stabbed Yara'Dua on the back. That informed her decision to leave PDP for APGA after failing to strike accord with her fellow cabals in the state. Why did I pick on Dora Akunyili? I picked on her because she epitomizes deafening level of hypocrisy in our political discourse.
Professor Akunyili's action has never been governed by reason or moral consideration. Just like the rest of the governors from southeast, in Akunyili's imagination, there are no rights or moral relationships to be respected.
The recent and bitter crisis over Nwodo's leadership has exposed the naivety of PDP governors in the south east. Afraid of the acrimony and power play that will trail attempts to replace Nwodo before the general election; they choose to concede the chairmanship of their party to national vice chairman, Haliru Mohamed. Meanwhile, some of them were also present where the "informal" agreement was reached with President Jonathan that he will only govern for 4 years and the North will present the next candidate under PDP.
Yet, these same governors, including Peter Obi and Ohaneze Ndigbo (who ordinarily you should have expected to know better) are busy telling "Ndigbo that Igbo presidency come 2015 is not negotiable" as Ezeife put it. But I de laugh o. These present crops of politicians pretending to be fighting for odimma Ndigbo are nothing but scavengers that will ultimately leave the position of Ndigbo undefined in the unfolding second order partial political equation in Nigeria.
Peter Obi's recent romance with PDP is the most disappointing to say the least. For Peter Obi, I wonder what happened to the political ideals of APGA (if ever there was any). Will he now leave APGA candidates in the rest of Southeastern states at the mercy of his fellow PDP friends? What happens if or when CAN or CPC succeeds in winning the presidency? If these PDP political vultures in Southeast cannot successfully hold the office of their chairman, what happens when they are given the Nigerian Presidency? These are questions that should be on the minds of our political champions fighting hard to keep Ndigbo relevant in Nigeria's political equation according to Prof. Akunyili. Where is their common sense?
The truth that will be revealed at the end of the unfolding drama is that no-one person or group can selfishly claim to be representing the interest of Igbo nation. Not the governors all of whom cannot even save their people from kidnappers long after the initiators from Niger Delta have given up the act. The same governors under whose watch universities in the Southeast were recently closed for almost six months. Not Ohaneze like Arewa Consultative Forum that has been torn apart by personal interests.
Source: Business Day, 3rd February 2011.
Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Address During the Dedication of Igbo Farm Village in Staunton, Virginia, USA
Delivered by Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze on behalf of Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue, President General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo -18th of September 2010
It is with the greatest sense of humility and deepest appreciation that I stand before you today to address this historic occasion. Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo is the umbrella body that represents over 50 million Igbos and Ndigbo are the largest ethnic group in Africa. Words (both in English or Igbo) cannot describe how an average Igbo person or an average African feels today as we live to witness with our own eyes what is taking place in Staunton, Virginia today. Not in my wildness dream did I ever envision that I would walk into an authentic, traditional Igbo village here in America - 17,000 miles away from Igbo-land.
Before I continue, I must pause to acknowledge those who made this humongous accomplishment possible. Ladies and Gentlemen, I want you to give three happy cheers to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Three happy cheers to the city of Staunton! Three happy cheers to the United States of America and all its inhabitants! In traditional Igbo custom, each of you deserves a twenty-one gun salute, but I know that that is not possible now due to the gun laws in America.
Let me put this event in perspective: this singular act of replicating the socio-cultural heritage of the Igbos amounts to finally giving the African descendants who were part of the founding fathers of America, a resting place they can now call a home. This village is a home for all Africans and African Americans all over the world. It symbolizes the lives of many Africans that were lost during the journey towards building this country and making it the greatest place on earth. The intent of the museum is to use the Igbo's as a point of contact for the entire African continent and it is a very wise decision because the Igbo's as a group constituted the majority of the African slaves shipped to America.
The Frontier Culture Museum is the home the Irish, Germans, English, Native Indians (coming), and Africans of various ethnic groups represented by the Igbo Farm Village. It is important to note that regardless of how each group to came to the New World, they collectively worked together to build the most powerful country and the only super power in the world. It took the collaborative efforts of all these early immigrants working together, learning from each other's socio-cultural and peculiar skills and craft, to build the United States of America. The early immigrants worked together to achieve the legacy we now enjoy, and I challenge you today to emulate them.
It gives a great joy to know that the Commonwealth of Virginia took the initiative and foresight to establish this museum in recognition of the founders of this great nation. Virginians were not under any obligation to do what they did because they could have opted for the negative route. Virginians instead chose the positive route and we thank God for that. However, it is borne out of the realization that a project of this nature is what made America great, as well as what it continues to need to remain the number one super power in the world. Virginians could have neglected the contributions of our forefathers, but they did not. It shows that Virginians are special breeds that have the foresight to realize that a project of this nature will continue to foster ethnic collaboration and cooperation, which will ultimately put a lasting nail on the coffin of racism and racial intolerance, as we know it.
Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo is calling all people, particularly Africans, African-Americans and Ndi-Igbo to rally around in support of this project. If the Virginians have taken the first steps to honor our forefathers, the least we could do it is to support their efforts. I call on Ndi-Igbo to continue to do everything within their powers to provide financial and physical support in making sure that this Museum achieves its noble goals and is endowed so that it will continue in perpetuity.
Prof Akuma Njoku and his team; the Executive Director of the Frontier Culture Museum John Avoli and his team; God(Chi Ndi-Igbo) will never forget your dedication and contribution for honoring our ancestors by building the Igbo Farm Village in Staunton Virginia. Maka na Gidi gidi Bu Ugwu eze.
Supporting this museum –through financial contributions and museum visits --is the most practical way to continue to perpetuate Igbo traditional customs and values. Let's pass on something of value to our children; let's keep the spirits of our forefathers alive. Many Igbo sons and daughters have answered the call to honor our ancestors. It is important for us to teach our children how to honor our ancestors because respect for our elders is a basic tenet of Igbo culture. Maka na onye fe eze, eze elue ya . May the Almighty God bless those who built the Igbo village, as history is being made for Ndi-Igbo, Nigerians and Africans.
Long live Staunton!
Long live Virginia!
Long live USA!
Long live Igbo nation!
Long live Africa
It shall be well with us.
Ohaneze election: Diaspora group endorses Diboh for president
By Dotun Ibiwoye
KUALA-LUMPUR—IGBO people residing in Malaysia have endorsed Mr. Onyebuchi Diboh on his quest to become the first elected President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Kempong, Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia, in their first ever general election which is expected to hold October 2, 2010.
Diboh stressed that his main priority was to stop kidnaping and other vices being committed by Nigerians in Malaysia, by ensuring that all Igbo in Malaysia were engaged in a business instead of being isolated.
He also affirmed that the association will be registered as a Non-governmental organization, NGO, in Malaysia as well as lay a solid foundation between the Union and its parent body in Nigeria.
The event, which was organized as dinner/presidential declaration in his honour by committee of friends, under the auspices of Ofuobi Social Club International, was attended by who is who in the Igbo Community in Malaysia.
"I will ensure that Igbos that are stranded in various deportation camps in Malaysia would be financed to go home through our campaign manifesto of ensuring that there would be revenue generation through external patronage to avoid the Union been relying solely on contributions from the components States Associations" he said.
"Igbo meeting will be spread to other states of Malaysia as well as ensuring that a Human right Lawyer will be drafted to fight a cause of the Igbos in Malaysia."
Source: Vanguard, 24th September 2010.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership Extends Tenure
From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu
INDICATIONS have emerged that the current leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has secured extension of its two-year tenure in office by another two years.
The Guardian gathered that the executive committee meeting of the body held at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Enugu had voted unanimously for extension of the tenure for another two years on the ground that the current constitutional provision of two years' tenure for elected executives was too short for any meaningful achievement to be made by an administration.
Besides, the meeting voted for amendment of the constitution as regards tenure of office of elected officials to four years against the two years being operated on rotational basis in the constitution.
By this development, the Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue-led executive, which should have vacated office by January next year, would now stay in the office till 2013 when a fresh election would be conducted.
But the decision did not go without opposition from some members of the executive who felt that it was unjust to effect an amendment in tenure of office in the life of the administration.
Those opposed to the idea insisted that the tenure of four years should begin when the office of president general must have rotated to the benefiting states of Ohanaeze, stressing that it was a slight on Ebonyi State, which turn it is to produce the next president.
The Uwaechue leadership assumed office last year for a two-year tenure and should have conducted another election by November this year for a president general from Ebonyi State, among other officials.
Before arriving at the decision to elongate, the meeting, which had in attendance state chairmen of the body, had put the issue on vote after a lengthy debate laced with disagreements. Thirteen of the members present voted in favour of tenure elongation, while three voted against.
One of those opposed to the move and the body's assistant national legal adviser, Oyibo Chukwu, said on the floor of the meeting that it negates the aim of setting up the organisation, adding that it could breed disharmony among Ndigbo.
He accused his colleagues of seeking the elongation so as to benefit from the 2011 national elections.
Meanwhile, the imeobi (highest decision making organ) of the Ohanaeze has been fixed for September 18, to ratify the decision of the executive committee meeting. It was gathered that the issue of tenure elongation, which the NEC favoured, would feature at the meeting.
It would be recalled that the last Imeobi meeting ended in disarray as the gathering was divided on the issue of tenure elongation for the current executive of the body.
Source: The Guardian, 10th September 2010.
Ghost of Tenure Elongation Threatens Ohanaeze
FROM LAWRENCE NJOKU, ENUGU
AS it is, the apex Igbo socio cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo seems not have mastered the art of changing its leadership since the end of the era of Prof. Joe Irukwu as President of the organisation.
The trend since Irukwu is for the incumbent executive to seek an extension of tenure by means that have become a source of crisis. The present executive, led by Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue had ensnared itself in that pattern.
Uwaechue, whose two-year tenure expires in January 2011, has mooted the idea of remaining in office beyond the January date to his executive and this has sharply divided the organisation. Those who will benefit from the extension are supporting him, while those not likely to benefit are kicking against it.
Uwaechue was elected January 2009 for a two-year term that is to handover in January 2011 to an executive that will be elected in November this year. Going by the principle of rotation that guides the election of officers, the next president general should come from Ebonyi State.
The last executive council meeting held on August 11, ended in confusion as members accused one another of nursing ambitions against the interest of the people of the zone, whom they are meant to serve.
The confusion started when midway in the meeting the president general introduced the report of the Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi-led committee, which recommended a renewable three-year tenure of two terms for any elected officer for any office. It was leant that he urged the house to move for the implementation of the report. Tempers flared when some members moved for the implementation of the report arguing that the organisation should not be conducting an election when the nation was conducting one at the same time.
The proponents of the extension argued further that the administration had spent several months resolving the dispute that arose from clarifying the authentic elected secretary general of the organisation between Chief Nduka Eya and Prince Richard Ozobu, both nominees from Enugu State. For several months, the organisation's secretariat was under locked up for several months.
The Assistant National Legal Adviser of the organisation, Oyibo Chukwu said that an elongation of tenure would distort the stable rotational arrangement in place and could cause instability within Ohanaeze. He said that since the incumbent was elected for a two year term, 'it will be morally reprehensible for the present NEC to extend the mandate and become the beneficiary of a constitutional amendment it sponsored without going for an election.
"To attempt this course of action will be a breach of the agreement reached that all Igbo states must serve out its two years tenure as President General before any constitutional amendment on the issue of zoning of offices can become operational."
He said that rotation was a tool recognised by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for participatory democracies, stressing that it was the instrument that ensured the emergence of Uwaechue as president general.
The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Ralph Ndigwe, lamented the tension the development was creating. He said that it was not proper that Ohanaeze should be holding election at this time.
"What we asked them to do is to see the futility of engaging in this exercise when we are supposed to concentrate on a the 2011 general election. We are not asking that we be left for two or three years but for a few months so that after the 2011 election, Ohanaeze can organise her election. This will enable us prepare well for the exercise," he said.
With the meeting stalemated, the matter was moved to the imeobi council, the highest decision making organ of the organisation. At the meeting were former governor of Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Minister Nnia Nwodo, past presidents general of the organisation, Irukwu, Dozie Ikedife. Also present were Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Mbazulike Amechi, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Enechi Onyia (SAN), Mr. Paul Odenigwe, who represented Anambra Governor Peter Obi, Prof Elo Amucheazi, representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from United Kingdom, Italy and South Korea and members of the World Igbo Congress, among others.
Uwaechue, set the tone of the meeting as he read the report of the achievements of his administration within the period and noted that the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had been undergoing review since the time of Irukwu and Ikedife. He
stressed that it was the determination of his executive to conclude the review and present a satisfactory working document.
He said, "the review of Ohanaeze constitution is not new. It was put to test during the tenure of Irukwu without conclusion, while the last executive of Ikedife constituted a constitution review committee headed by Prof Elo Amucheazi. The committee's report recommended a change of tenure from two years non renewable to three years renewable for a second term. The report was submitted to Ikedife but it was not acted upon before he left office in January 2009.
"Imeobi is hereby requested to approve extension of the tenure from two years to four years, while the general review of the constitution will be concluded and presented later. This is to make up for the delayed takeoff caused by the controversy over the post of Secretary-General and enable the present executive to execute some projects for Ohanaeze."
Irukwu said that there was no need for the exercise presently as it was not yet right. He noted that the agreement was that the amended issues would be implemented when the office of president general had been rotated to the benefitting states.
He remined the group that this "was why my administration was opposed because we canvassed tenure elongation on the ground that two years was not enough time for any administration to settle down and carry out landmark reforms and projects in Igbo land."
Ikedife said: "There won't be any tenure elongation." He said that the contention was borne out of the desire of those in office to be used by "some political gladiators to call the shots in the 2011 elections. This is a socio-cultural organisation and not a political party for anybody to be used to feather his nest. If some of us who were in this position before now had refused to handover when it was two years, this office will not rotate and it wont benefit you at this time."
Iyinbor Edozie Gilberts said that the issue of extension might keep Ndigbo unfocused in this crucial period and suggested that the issue be kept in abeyance till March 2011 so as to enable the present regime pilot the affairs of Ndigbo through the electioneering period.
Nwodo suggested another imeobi meeting where the issue could be represented.
Mrs. Grace Clerk on behalf of the World Igbo Congress and Amechi Nwene of the Ohanaeze in United Kingdom noted that the congress supported tenure elongation following her belief that it was somebody that should implement the recommendation of the Amucheazi committee. She said that the elongation should not be more than one year.
For any amendment in the constitution to sail through, it must pass through the executive committee, the imeobi and General Assembly in line with Article 29 of the organisation's constitution.
Critics of Uwaechue have accused him of holding a personal ambition, alleging that he had not called any executive meeting in the past 18 months. He was also accused of seeking an extension to use the organisation launder the image of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Uwachue denied the criticisms and said that, "my administration never received any funding from Jonathan."
In 2007, Ohanaeze Ndigbo was mired in leadership crisis that factionalised the organisation. The crisis stemmed from tenure of Irukwu, who as the President General then said his administration was elected to serve for four years in view of the amended constitution that brought it into office. Another group led by Ikedife disagreed, saying that the constitution had maintained two years.
Towards the end of the tenure of Irukwu in 2007, the politics of transition had caused a major division in Ohanaeze.
Irukwu had asked that following exigencies including the inability of his administration to complete projects and the oncoming election of Obasanjo, the executive should be allowed more time. This was then interpreted as a bid for the administration to seek an unconstitutional extension of its tenure.
Irukwu was also accused of also trying to use the organisation to support Obasanjo's third term bid. Although Irukwu denied the allegations, the organisation remained polarised. There are fears that the Ohanaeze is treading a similar route.
The controversy had dragged then. The Ikedife group backed by former governor of Abia State Orji Kalu went to Umuahia and elected its executive. Meanwhile, Irukwu, who was at the heart of the crisis, stepped aside and handed over to Anayo Enemchukwu as interim president general.
In late 2007, South East governors resolved the matter and recognised the Ikedife led group and asked it to ensure an election of new executives for the body by the end of 2008. The Ikedife led executive on November 29, 2008 in Awka, the Anambra State capital elected a new executive. However, the exercise was inconclusive because the Secretary general was not elected. That became another clog in the wheels of progress of Ohanaeze.
For now, Ohanaeze has returned to the trenches, trailing a well-worn route that has always thrown the organisation into confusion and discord. Will Uwaechue and his executive bow to pressure and handover in January? The prospect of another leadership tussle may not augur well for the organisation.
Source: The Guardian, 3rd September 2010.
2011: Igbos have not endorsed any candidate — Ohaneze Ndigbo
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—AHEAD of the 2011 Presidential election, the umbrella body of the South East
geo-political zone, Ohaneze Ndigbo, said yesterday that as a body, it had not endorsed any aspirant for the position.
Answering questions from journalists in Abuja yesterday, the new Chairman of Ohaneze
Ndigbo, Federal Capital Territory chapter, Barrister Nwabueze Calistus Obi, who vowed that as a zone, it was prepared to fight for what was just, stressed that they would confront any institution, individuals that will stand as encumbrance to the fight of the Igbo within the bounds of the law.
Also elected with him are Pastor Samuel Iloh, Prince I. H. Okwukwu and Emeka Wachukwu as Vice Chairmen, Val. Ogosi as Deputy Chairman, Onwuka Arua as Secretary, Prince J.E. Ubani as Publicity Secretary, among others.
He said Igbo people would at the most appropriate time come up with the people of the zone after series of brainstorming exercises, adding that the zone will allow for all the parties to come up with their candidates, adding that after the primaries, the Igbos will now begin to discuss and, thereafter, push the pendulum to the most favourable place.
According to him, "a lot of people have been talking, some are bending towards Jonathan, some are bending towards other contestants, they are doing that in their individual capacities. As a nation, Igbo people have not endorsed any of the aspirants.
"Ohaneze national said in its last meeting in Enugu that the Igbo nation will at the right time come out to tell Nigerians where they are. So, Ohaneze FCT is in alignment with the views of the President General.
"The governors are not the Ohaneze, they are just the leaders of the various states in the south East, they are not speaking for the entire Igbo people. If you are abreast of what is going on, very recently, the same governors came out to deny that the Igbos are behind any of the
aspirants, they said they never at any time said so.
They might, on their own, decide, but that does not foreclose the constitutional right of any Igboman to aspire to be President. So like as I said, it is individual expression, which has nothing to do with the thinking and direction Igbo people are going to and at a very auspicious time, the Igbos will tell you who their man is"
Source: Vanguard, 1st September 2010.
Ohanaeze, Others Back South East Summit
FROM LAWRENCE NJOKU (ENUGU) AND LEO SOBECHI (ABAKILIKI
AHEAD of today's (Monday) South-East political summit in Enugu, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given its support for the holding even as Igbo interest groups from across the country and in the Diaspora have confirmed their attendance.? The Guardian learnt yesterday that governors of the South-East states have pledged their support for the summit where Ndigbo are expected to brainstorm on various political issues and chart a way forward ahead of 2011 elections. ? President-General of Ohanaeze, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue and prominent members of the umbrella Igbo organisation, including Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said during the Imeobi meeting of the body on Saturday that there was nothing wrong with the summit intended to bring Ndigbo together for a dialogue.? Uwechue said Ohanaeze welcomed the summit, adding that any Igbo willing to attend was free to do so.? Organisers of the summit resolved to go ahead with the event despite the announcement by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu postponing it on the excuse that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had resolved the contentious issue of zoning, which was part of the summit's agenda.
However, the Chief Convener of the summit and a foremost nationalist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, said in a statement issued in Enugu yesterday that the summit would hold as scheduled and refuted the announcements canceling it.? The statement reads: "I wish to categorically state that the South-East Political Summit is not cancelled nor postponed. It will hold as scheduled on Monday, August 16, 2010 at Federation Hall of Hotel Presidential Enugu by 11 a.m. prompt.? "The PDP as a party has a right to take their decision while Ndigbo have a right to take their stand. ? "Though I have very great respect for the office and person of the Deputy Senate President, I need to remind him that the statement is his personal opinion and not the general opinion of Ndigbo. ? "It is pertinent to inform him that he is an invitee and may choose not to honour the invitation."? Amechi further stated that though public officers were among those invited, there were other invitees who are not public officers or politicians, stressing that they had already confirmed their attendance.? "Those invited include but not limited to federal, state, council public office holders, religious/traditional?leaders, captains of industry, university dons, professional bodies, trade and labour unionists, women, youth and student leaders," the statement added.
Source: The Guardian, 16th August 2010.
Ohanaeze, Other Igbo Groups Disown Ekweremadu Over Igbo Political Summit
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex leadership organization of Igbo people at home and in the Diaspora rose from its extra-ordinary meeting on Saturday with a condemnation of the announcement, a day earlier by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu that the All South East Political Summit scheduled for Enugu on Monday, August 16th.
A top member of the Ime Obi, the highest organ and council of elders of Ohanaeze signalled his disappointment that such a highly place Igbo man as Ekweremadu should so glibly arrogant to himself the role of the spokesman of Ndigbo without having contributed anything to the Igbo cause to merit such an honour.
Senator Ekweremadu had circulated a release on Friday, claiming that summit at which prominent and other Igbo people from all walks of life are going to deliberate and decide on the Igbo stand on the ongoing debates in the country on the political choices and options of 2011, but his claims which have continued to be repudiated by different Igbo groups and personalities, was finally authenticated by the apex leadership of Ndigbo on Saturday, claiming that even though Ekweremadu is the Senate president, he hardly qualifies as a key voice in Igbo scheme of things.
"To qualify for such a role and honour which Ekweremadu is gratuitously arrogating to himself, he must have had a track record of service to Ndigbo, but the opposite is the case", an elder angrily stated in Enugu on Saturday, wondering whether, "it is not the same Ekweremadu, who as the chairman of the committee on constitution amendment could not ventilate or insist on the need for the South East to have an extra state".
"Rather', according to the elder, "Ekweremadu has been busy advocating for the declaration of emergency rule in the South East".
Sources close to the organizers of the Summit claim that Ekweremadu's grouse might be as a result of the consummate and all-embracing working paper which was produced by an eminent committee of the Summit which had disappointed and fallen short of the deputy senate president's expectation, which according to the source, was that the Summit was being staged to herd Ndigbo into a wholesale support of the 2011 presidential aspiration of President Jonathan by without obtaining ironclad and concrete concessions and deals from him.
"However, instead of selling Ndigbo as cheaply as Ekweremadu must have promised the president, the working paper decided on five options before Ndigbo, one of which is that Jonathan's presidency would be supported only after certain concrete things would have been done by the sitting president", the source revealed.
It was further revealed that rather than support President Jonathan wholesale and without reservation, as it was claimed that Ekweremadu might have assured him, the Strategies and Intelligence Committee of the Summit which membership is said to be made up of some of the best and brightest among Igbo nation was said to have considered the pluses and minuses of five options which include the following:
" Supporting President Jonathan;
" Support a Northern consensus candidate for president;
" Dump PDP and its Zoning blues and join another party serious about Northern Presidency;
" Make a run for the 2011 Presidency from inside the PDP;
" Build Igbo aspirations around a regional party (Tactical Opposition);
It was suggested that the following options would be debated at the summit with the view to adopting one or more which would serve Ndigbo better, rather than what was said to have been the hope of the likes of Ekweremadu that a wholesale and unconditional anointing of Jonathan would have been advocated and adopted at the summit, and according to the sources when the deputy senate president noticed that he would not get his wish, he adopted a hostile stance against the summit.
However, reports flowing from all over the country and abroad indicate that rather than dampen the non-partisan summit, Ekweremadu's act has given fillip to the Summit, as it was reported by the organizers that enquiries and confirmations of attendance have unprecedented, as Ndigbo from all walks of life are vowing to throng Enugu for the summit.
The summit which will be chaired by the veteran politician, Chief Mbazulike Amechi will take place at Hotel Presidential, Enugu and is expect to have in attendance all the governors of the South East as well as other people from all the sections of the society.
According to reports from Enugu, the Summit organizers are fearing that they might have more attendees than they had expected as it was said that the Ekweremadu's act was said to have galvanized more Igbo people into the decision to throng the venue of the summit on Monday.
It was, therefore, learnt that by Saturday evening the chairman of the organizing committee, Barrister Ugochukwu Agballah and the Secretary, Senator Azuka Okwuosa were already looking for a larger venue that would better accommodate the expected larger crowd.
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No Decision Yet On Jonathan – Ohaneze
Written by NNaMDI MBAWIKE, ENUGU
Plans by some prominent Igbo politicians to persuade the Apex Igbo Social Cultural Organization, OHANAEZA Ndigbo to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 presidential election met brick walls yesterday, following the insistence of the organisation that it had not endorsed the incumbent president for the forthcoming election.
The organization also kicked against the retained regional zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party, insisting that; it would only throw its full weight behind a zoning formula that would be based on the geo political zones.
President General of the Organisation, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike who made the disclosure yesterday while reacting to a suggestion by a former presidential aspirant, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu that IGBOS should endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for 2011 presidential election, shortly after the General Assembly meeting of the OHANAEZE, insisted that the appeal "remains his personal view and advice and nothing more".
Chief Iwuanyanwu had insisted that the recent zoning formula which was recently retained by his party would favor the South east Geopolitical Zone, maintaining that, by the constitutional provisions of the country, President Jonathan would not contest again if he is elected to be president for four after the 2011 elections.
He advised Ndigbo to adopt Jonathan as their own son, insisting that the South East might be not president in the nearest future if the North gets power back, calling on Ndigbo to discuss with the incumbent president and support him to complete the tenure of his late predecessor, Umaru Musa Yaradua.
But in his reaction, Uwachue said "OHANAEZE has not taken decision on Jonathan. We cannot declare support for anybody without consulting NDIGBO to know the person they want. There are many IGBOs in different political parties. We are tired of being used and dumped. When NDIGBO come together, we will take a decision" he said.
Commenting on the zoning formula recently retained by the PDP, Chief Uwazuruike Said ""Nigeria has 6 geo political zones; we believe that all the zones should be treated equally. As for zoning formula, it is not a question of North or South but it must go round the 6 geo-political zones" he maintained.
Also speaking, the convener of the proposed South East Igbo Summit, Chief Mbazuruike Amechi insisted that NDIGBO must take a collective decision on the 2011 presidential election, insisting that South Geopolitical Zone has not supported any candidate.
He stated that the summit, which has been reportedly cancelled by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremadu would provide an avenue for the IGBOS to contribute their views, adding that a collective decision would be taken at the end of the meeting.
In his contribution, a former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife said there was need to get the views of all the IGBOS before the Zone endorses anybody for the presidential election.
Towing the same path, the Liaison of the World Igbo Congress in the Unites States, Mrs Grace Clerk said OHANAZE said "We have not taken decision the 2011 presidency. We should not allow PDP issues to cloud Nigeria.
Present at the meeting were, Chief Nnia Nwodo, fomer President General of OHANAEZE, Dr Dozie Ikedife, former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, among others.
Source: Leadership, 15th August 2010.
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Ohanaeze Insists On Zoning
FROM LAWRENCE NJOKU, ENUGU
APEX Igbo Socio-Cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, reaffirmed its support for zoning, stressing, however, that the Presidency must be allowed to rotate within the six geopolitical zones that make up the Federation.
Although, it said it was yet to take a position on whether or not to support the presidential ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan, it maintained that power should be allowed to remain in the south-south or southeast geo political zones of the country, as they remain the only ones that are yet to hold power at the highest level.
Addressing journalists shortly, after the Imeobi meeting of the Ohanaeze, its President General, Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue, said Ndigbo would not hasten to express support for any person or group in the 2011 presidency without a concrete assurance on what they stand to gain for such support.
He stated that the present practice, where presidency was being rotated within the north and south, negates the spirit and letters of true federalism, stressing that such was the cause of underdevelopment of the country.
He said: "We believe and support zoning, but presently, it is only the south-south and southeast that have not tasted power, and we want that for them. Zoning must be practiced, strictly on the basis of the six geo political zones of the country, and not on the north and south thing."
He explained that Ohanaeze would not give support to Jonathan's presidential bid or that of any other person without extensive consultation with her people, whom he said consist different political parties with various political ideologies.
He added that what was paramount at this time was actualising effort that people of the zone might speak with one voice, stressing that Ohanaeze was tired of Ndigbo being used and dumped by emerging leaders of the country.
Source: The Guardian, 15th August 2010.
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Crisis Rocks Ohanaeze Ndigbo Over Tenure Elongation Bid
FRESH leadership crisis is brewing in the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, following alleged plot by the Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue led executive to elongate her tenure in office by another two years.
According to the current constitution of the organization, the tenure of the Uwaechue led executive, which came on board January last year, is expected to elapse by January 2011 while the succeeding executive is to emerge in a fresh election to be held by November this year. The new leadership is expected to be sworn in by January next year.
But sources at the Ohanaeze executive meeting held in Enugu Thursday said instead of tabling the proposed election for discussion, the President-General, Ambassaor Uwaechue sought the support of the executive members for the implementation of the recommendations in the amended constitution by Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi committee on tenure of office.
The development was said to have led to a shouting march among the members and the disruption of the meeting.
Some of the executive members who opposed the President_General's proposal, viewed it as an attempt to elongate his stay in office after they had suspended the amended clause in the constitution for tenure elongation until the office of President General of Ohanaeze rotates among the Igbo speaking states for a period of two years.
It was learnt that Uwaechue had while moving for the adoption of the amended constitution reasoned that it was borne out of the "approaching election of the country", stressing that Ohanaeze could not afford her own election at a time the nation was holding another round of general elections.
He stated that there was need to ensure that the leadership of the organization remained focus and make the needed inputs that could lead to a peaceful exercise, stressing that engaging in an election when the country was holding general elections was not the best.
"As soon as the President_General moved the motion, a sharp division arose among the participants who resorted to a shouting march with the members accusing each other of selfish interests as well as corruption. The confusion forced the meeting to close abruptly.
Those against the move insisted that past executives of the organizations have emerged irrespective of the national elections in the country. They cited the Dozie Ikedife led executive which emerged few months to the 2007 general election," the source said.
Source: Vanguard, 14th August 2010.
Tenure Elongation Crisis Rocks Ohaeneze Ndigbo
FROM LAWRENCE NJOKU (ENUGU) AND CHARLES OGUGBUAJA (OWERRI
APEX Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is enmeshed in a fresh crisis following an alleged plot by the Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue-led executive to elongate its tenure in office by another two years.
The tenure of the Uwaechue executive, which emerged in January last year, would terminate by January next year going by the provisions of the current constitution of the organization which stipulates two-year tenure for elected executive.
Based on this, a fresh election into the executive of the body should hold by November this year, while the new leadership would be sworn in by January next year.
But at a meeting of the executive on Thursday, a move by Uwaechue to get the support of other members of the executive to implement the recommendations of the amended constitution by the Prof Amucheazi committee on tenure of office, led to a shouting match among the members which disrupted the meeting.
Those against the move accused Uwaechue who is the President General, of attempting to implement the constitution to enable him elongate his stay in office, when indeed the amended clause in the constitution for tenure elongation had been suspended until the office of the President General rotates among the Igbo states of the organization.
In moving for the tenure elongation, Uwaechue had reasoned that it was borne out of the "approaching election of the country", stressing that Ohanaeze could not afford her own election so near to the country's general election.
He stated that there was need to ensure that the leadership of the organization remained focused and made the needed inputs that could lead to a peaceful exercise, stressing that engaging in an election when the country was doing hers was not the best.
But no sooner had he moved the motion than a sharp division arose as the meeting resorted into a shouting match with the members accusing each other of selfish interests as well as corruption, leading to the end of the meeting.
Those against the move insisted that past executives of the organization emerged irrespective of the national election of the country, citing the Dozie Ikedife-led executive which emerged a few months to the 2007 general elections.
One of the critics of the move and the National Legal Adviser of the organization, Elder Onyibo Chukwu, told reporters that the Uwaechue executive was "cruising on the course of perdition and perfidy," stressing that it was the same issue that generated the opposition against the Prof Joe Irukwu-led executive.
Meanwhile, following an increase in all forms of violence perpetrated against women by some disgruntled men in Igboland, a group under the aegis of Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in the Diaspora (a body of married and unmarried women in Igboland) at the weekend called for stiffer sanctions for perpetrators of rape, defilement, incest, torture and all forms inhuman treatment against women in the land.
This was part of the resolution adopted by the participants during the yearly August Meeting and a public enlightenment forum on family planning and reproductive health issues held by the body in collaboration with Ipas, a non-governmental organization, held at Regina Parish Hall, Ihioma, Orlu and Umueze Ehime Mbano local councils of Imo State.
The National President of the body, Dr. Kate Ezeofor, represented by an official of the body, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbu, said the cases as reported in Igbo and Igbo-speaking areas (Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Delta, Rivers and Ebonyi states) were on the upsurge and alarming.
Source: The Guardian, 14th August 2010.
Why Ijaw leaders met with Ohaneze –Uwechue
From BUCHY ENYINNAYA, Asaba
Ambassador Raph Uwechue is President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo. In this exclusive interview with BUCHY ENYINNAYA at his Africa House country home in Delta State, he bares his mind on some topical national issues. Concerning the call in some quarters for President Jonathan to contest the presidency, come 2011, he contends that Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation and not a political organisation stressing, ."It is certainly not political. So, it is not for Ohaneze to dictate to Jonathan or any body for that matter whether to contest election or not.
He further tells Nigerians, "We have a country that if well managed, can be sincerely, the pride of Africa. So, I would say that whatever our differences, we should think together, work together, based on what is fair for every unit and every group in this country. So that we can harmoniously, promote the overall interest of Nigeria and lead Africa, as I believe, we are destined to do. Excerpt.
Recently, the Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Ijaw National Congress had a socio-cultural cum political marriage, which for some in the past, there has not been such development.
What motivated this marriage and what does it portend for the Igbo nation and Nigeria in general?
Thank you very much you know Nigeria is a creation of the British and within its boundaries, it contains ethnic units. Today we have some 300 ethnic and sub ethnic units in this country. Some are large like the Igbo, the Hausa-Fulani and the Yoruba, some smaller than that. The idea is that for stability to exist in our country, these units, which are the building blocks of our nation, should take primary responsibility in ensuring that people who belong to those units shape up and become good citizens of our country. You know that traditionally, we talk of respect for elders, in a any community, we talk of selfless service to the community, and it is accepted that these core values which our customary communities cherish are fading out of our national life.
So, the idea now is to go back to base. Let the families, which we now call ethnic units look after their children make sure they are properly brought up and given the right values. If this happens, all over the country, then Nigeria as a unit, which combines all these blocs, becomes stable. And with the right values inculcated into in the citizenry. So Ohaneze Ndigbo is one of these important socio-cultural units and we find that there is the need to ensure that we work with other units in the country. Now, the Ijaw National Congress initiated a fraternal approach to Ohaneze Ndigbo. They asked to be received by Ohaneze Ndigbo. We were very pleased to get that invitation and on the 12th of June, this year, they came here to Africa House, Ogwashiuku, 22 of them and met the executive of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
We discussed matters of common interest, how to reinforce friendship and brotherliness between the Ijaw nation and Igbo nation, as a base for expanding such cooperation and fraternity beyond these two units, and more and more into the country. The visit that Ohaneze Ndigbo undertook recently, to Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on the 6th of July, was a return courtesy call to appreciate the fraternal initiative the Ijaws already showed. And we were very well received in Yenegoa; we continued to discuss matters of common interest to Ndigbo, as a nation in Nigeria and the Ijaw people also as a nation in Nigeria. At the end of it, we paid a courtesy call on the governor, of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipriye Sylva.
And then went back to our bases. So, the significance is that the Ijaws and the Igbos who are neighbors are more and more trying to ensure friendly and harmonious existence between two peoples that God put together. And we believe it's a welcome development. And we intend as Ohaneze Ndigbo to extend the same kind of cooperation and understanding to other ethnic units in Nigeria .The Ijaws are doing the same. We intend to continue to do the same. But what you are seeing is a base where two neighbors have come together to encourage harmonious relationship between two important ethnic units in this part of our country.
Don't you think this fraternal initiative by the Ijaws this time around, is a way of garnering support and softening the ground for their son and our president, Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan to enable him contest and win the election in 2011?
The truth of the matter is that when discussions took place, the good deal of subjects we examined, the important thing is that they requested and we accepted to co operate with them in promoting the interest of our country. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan's election is a matter that concerns all Nigerians, not only Ndigbo or the Ijaw people. And when the time comes, especially as he is now already president, and trying to perform, the Ijaws naturally, would want somebody from among them to be president of Nigeria, And Ndigbo if they see in Jonathan somebody who can advance thecourse of Nigeria, as a country, will definitely, be interested in supporting anyone who ensures stability, and progress for our nation.
The President and Nigerians in general, are insisting on having a credible election, come 2011. Do you think that this could b actualised?
Well, all Nigerians that we know that have spoken desire a free, fair election that is credible. The thing is , how do we get it on the ground ? And the essential point is the voters' register. The recent election in Anambra State for the governorship, position, showed that 1.8 million people who normally should be able to cast their votes, of this number, only about 400,000 were able to vote. That is less than a quarter of those who are qualified to pronounce on the results of an election. The electorate is the jury that decides who will do what.
If we start with a faulty composition of the jury, obviously, we cannot have anything that is free and fair or credible. So, it's important that remedial attention is directed to the voters' register, because it is the basis of having credibility in any election. For example, if we say that any one who wants to vote should be able to vote, and then he or she should be able to identify his or her name on the voters' register. I would say that INEC should be given whatever it requires in terms of time, and resources to get a credible voters' register because a credible election, is not possible without it. It does not matter how well intentioned you are. If you line up to vote and you don't see your name, then how can you vote? I would even say that this register should be published, and we should have a mock election, like we have mock exam before the real thing.
People should go to their centers as if they are going to vote, identify their names, so that INEC would know where mistakes have occurred and rectify them before the real day. You know for example that we have had governors who have ruled in their States for three years before the Court said that they were not the ones who should have been there. So, we should not be in a hurry to repeat that kind of mistake that we know can be avoided. And political instability, frustration, all these are built into the fact that people know that somebody who went in is not the right person there. And we start trouble and that leads to political and social instability. So, I'm emphasising the point that you cannot have a credible election without a credible voters' register. Let that be the base of our concentration now. And let INEC be given what it requires by way of resources on time, to ensure that we take off on a credible note.
Do you think that between now (July 2010) and April 2011 would be enough time for INEC to do this, as election is likely to kick off in April 2011?
This really has to do with INEC itself. They have to tell us what they need. If they need more time, I personally would say, let them have that time. We shouldn't rush into what we know in advance is going to be a failure. On the other hand, if we are not able to adjust the time, we can maximise and expand the resources. So, where 10 people can do something and the time is not enough for them, if you make the number 20 or 30, they can do it. Whatever, it is, the important thing is that INEC must get what it requires to have a credible voters' register.
When you talk about corruption, Nigeria has been projected as on of the most corrupt nations, As President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, what do you think is the solution to this cankerworm?
Corruption is the cankerworm that is destroying practically every project in this country. So, we all know it. To avoid corruption, or reduce it or eliminate it, we need people , who genuinely are interested in serving the population. Not a collection of people in politics who are busy trying to position themselves in places of power. The people come last while their interests come first. That is why they offer bribes, and do all sorts of things and inflate contracts because that is the objective that took them there. We had leaders in this country. At independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Sarduana of Sokoto, these men were not corrupt. They were nationalists and patriots who were serving their people. And I'm sure today, we have many Nigerians of that ilk. Even now.
Unfortunately for us, those who have managed to nationally monopolise the political space, are not of the same quality as those who founded this country like the names I just mentioned. So, my feeling is that it's not a matter of painting us and coating us differently from what we are. The true Nigerian is the one who is sincere, and who wants to serve his population. And I would say that we should encourage more of this kind of people to come up. We are running Ohaneze Ndigbo; we intend to promote more and more the core values if Igbo tradition, honesty, courage and unalloyed devotion to duty, which our people had and still, have inside them. All we need is o encourage more and more of it. That is what will help to kill corruption. It is your belief to serve your people, not to cheat your people.
If many more people who think that way are in charge, corruption will vanish,
Governors of the South East geo-political zone have been quoted as saying that none of them would contest the position of president or vice, come 2011.
What is the Ohaneze connection here, and if it is not a directive from Ohaneze, what is Ohaneze's position on this?
To start with, the decision of the South East governors not to contest the election next year, either at the level of the presidency or vice presidency, is entirely their own decision. Ohaneze and we as Ohaneze have taken good note of it, and if they want to concentrate on governing and rendering service in a continued manner to their people, then fighting for the presidency by them, would become a distraction did not prompt it. So, one can see that the decision may have been based on concentrating on continuity if they are re-elected to finish the jobs that many of them have started in their various States.
As for Ohaneze and Ndigbo, the governors are only five. Surely, there are other governors who are not Igbos who may be interested in those positions. So, my feeling is that the decision to be, is entirely, theirs. And I believe that if it as I think, based on their ability to concentrate on what they are doing, instead of politicking for the presidency, then, it's a decision entirely theirs and can be welcomed by anyone who believes they should concentrate on what they are doing and finishing the jobs they have started in their various States instead of having half of their minds on the job and half beaming to Abuja.
The Southeast and South-South geo-political zones are most of the time, shortchanged in terms of national positions and leadership.
What do you think is the cause of this and how can it be curbed?
The truth of the matter is that those who have manipulated the political machinery have managed successfully, to sideline both the South-South and the Southeast, as far as the presidency of this country is concerned. Obviously, there could be many causes, one of it is that the peoples in these two zones, may not have done their homework, enough and consolidated enough to fight for what I believe is their right. We believe strongly in national offices rotating among the six geo-political zones. And the easiest way to achieve it is for those who are shortchanged, as you have said, and you said it correctly, to come together and demand their rights. Many Nigerians will support them when they know that the idea of rotation is to have even development, an even share of power and even share of responsibility.
What would you want to be remembered for as President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, at the end of your tenure?
Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation and we intend to use the time we have in putting efforts to get Ndigbo to have more pride in their culture, and the core values customary to Ndigbo. We hope to encourage more of that. For example, the Igbo language should be taken more seriously than is the case now. Every child that is born by Igbo parents should be able to speak the Igbo language along with other languages but not to ignore the one that is primary to its parents. No child should do that. And parents should encourage children to have pride in speaking their own language, and also encourage them to imbibe the cultures of Ndigbo.
And by so doing, they will begin to identify themselves as a gifted nation. We have many nationalities in Nigeria, and if each of these takes pride in its own existence, collectively, that pride would be reflected at the national level, recently, I was invited (and I'm happy to have accepted the invitation) by the Urhobo Progress Union, when they had their summit in Warri, I was very happy to see them proudly declaring their attachments to the Urhobo nation as well as the State of Delta and also to Nigeria. I want Ndigbo to be very proud of being Ndigbo, a gifted people, proud of being Nigerians and proud of being Africans.
How do you wish to achieve these?
By organising with our talented young men and women, through organisations, to promote projects that advance the course I have just identified.
The Niger Delta crisis has become an enigma. The region lacks certain basic infrastructure and even at that, some of the governors in the region are paying lip service to solving the problems there.
What do you think should be done?
The Niger Delta problem, which has just erupted into militancy, has been there all along. Since oil was discovered in Oloibiri, incidentally, our president, Jonathan, comes from Oloibiri the very place that oil was first discovered in this country. Since that time, the resources that have come from the soil of the people who own the land, not enough of that has been put into developing the areas. Where the oil comes from. Over time, this neglect has grown, until some young men took up arms, to protest. That's what militancy is all about. We do not encourage taking up arms to fight for a political cause. But you must understand why people take up arms even if you don't agree with the fact that they have taken up arms.
The truth of the matter is that more and more attention has to be given to the areas in developing the human resources there and other infrastructure establishments. It is encouraging to know that the government set up the Ministry of Niger Delta development and also certain activities going on now, including committees that have been set up by President Jonathan at the moment chaired by Chief Emeka Anyaoku to concentrate more and more attention on how we can get Niger Delta area faster development and also to ensure that the militancy or any form of distabilisation is reduced and eventually eliminated. But more has to be done. One must understand why we have militancy there. We do not approve of people taking up arms. But we know that it is prolonged neglect of the area that led to that kind of eruption.
Are you not bothered as the President General, that your zone, the South-East, has become the bedrock of armed robbery and kidnapping in the country.
And if you are worried, what has your leadership been doing?
Well, every Nigerian including the Ohaneze leadership is worried about what is happening. in the realm of kidnapping and armed robbery . And the concentration of it at this point in time in the Eastern part of our country, and quite a lot of it in he Igbo speaking area, is a great cause for concern. Ohaneze has been active in talking with our governance and talking with community leaders to see what can be done collectively to ensure that this disgraceful and harmful development is put down, discouraged, and eventually eliminated, so, we have been in contact discreetly, of course with, the Stakeholders in the area.
We sent out emissaries, I, myself I have discussed at the highest level, with our own governors in the Eastern part of Igbo land to encourage them to take steps and I believe they have taken the matter very seriously. And they are working very hard at so doing. But what you have to realise is that, armed robbery or kidnapping is something that you do not see on somebody's face before he does it.
That is the problem. A quiet Youngman or woman would be going; he just starts stop and shooting or searching every body. So, many a time, it happens before you know that it is going to happen. It's like assassination in crowd. A hundred people are there and 29 people love you and only one hates you. He can kill you because you wouldn't know until he fires the shot. So, we need to equip the police better and the, law enforcement agencies and, security agencies so that they would be better positioned to cope with these things as they occur. If we have kidnapping and armed robbery and the perpetrators are caught and punished immediately, that would be the biggest way of stopping it because others would not be tempted to repeat the act. They will know that they would be caught quickly and severely punished.
What is the position of Ohaneze on the call on President Jonathan to contest the 2011 presidential election?
Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation. It is not a political organisation. It is certainly not political. So, it is not for Ohaneze to dictate to Jonathan or any body for that matter whether to contest election or not. When the time comes, and prospective candidates declare their interests, Ohaneze will encourage Ndigbo to support any one, who in their view would promote the best interest of Nigeria. And see to it that they vote for such a person.
Source: Daily Sun, 3rd August 2010.
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