Boko Haram: Give amnesty to MASSOB too – Seigha

BY DAPO AKINREFON

MR. Manijar Seigha is chairman, Niger Delta Nationalities in Lagos State. In this interview, Seigha states that the proposed amnesty package for Boko Haram members is in order. He also argues that President Goodluck Jonathan has not lost grip in tackling insecurity challenges facing the country. Excerpts:
Considering the state of insecurity in the country do you think the president has lost grip?
President Jonathan has not lost grip of the situation in any way. However, the President’s greatest challenge is his political opponents, his enemies and a huge population of ignoramuses not Boko Haram. This is because Boko Haram‘s continuous existence is dependent on the above.
Jonathan’s next challenge (if not a problem) is the body language of the judiciary and the attitude of the legislature. It is clear to all discerning minds that the judiciary and the legislature are not in a hurry to support Mr. President in the fight against insecurity.  If they were, new, effective, and unambiguous laws would have been enacted.  In the light of the above, I think Jonathan is being pushed to step on banana peels.
Therefore the solution to Boko Haram is a collective deal, the three arms of the Federal Government, the Northern Governors, Northern leaders of thought, and Islamic clerics  in the north must sit together for a collective solution so that Jonathan as a person will not be held for the fallout. At the formation level, it was mainly an organization whose ideology was the hatred of western education.

Mr Seigha

Today the ideology is in the least a sextuplet if not a seven dimensional octopus. Boko Haram has moved from the ideology of the hatred of western education which by the death of their leader necessitated the attack on security personnels and formations, but thereafter to local ethnic cleansing between the majority Kanuri and the minority Biu tribe in Borno state, then to religious cleansing in other northern states. The other level is using it as a weapon of warning for those perceived to be preparing to rig the 2015 election. It is also seen as a regional army in the waiting.
The latest is the use of it as an instrument of blackmail to persuade the Federal Government to give in to an abnormality and be blinded from rectitude. This includes the demand for amnesty for Boko Haram, meaning the genuine purpose of Boko Haram has been displaced. I therefore sympathize with the initial ideology of the hatred of western education rather than the hijackers demanding to Islamatise the whole nation.
Should amnesty be given to the Boko Haram insurgents?
The call for amnesty in favour of Boko Haram is the handiwork of the hijackers on the one hand and sympathizers of Boko Haram on the other hand. Firstly, it is another avenue to grab more oil money to the north.
Secondly, it is the replica of rotational presidency where the north says it is her turn to produce the next president of Nigeria. Like the former, the north seems to be saying it is their turn to grab the amnesty, since the Niger Delta got it first.
Sometimes, experts believe the acquisition of the 3 E’s that is education, exposure, and experience is all that is needed to proffer the right and sound judgement on critical issues. In any case if I may ask, can’t the northern Governors grant Boko Haram the said amnesty? After all, it is the northern economy that is suffering. Note also that the amnesty granted to Niger delta militants was because their activities affected the heart of the national economy directly not a regional economy.
Jonathan can just go ahead and deliver amnesty to Boko Haram. What will be a challenge, not a problem is when it will be delivered to MASSOB and OPC too? Just give it to them without rancour since we are about practising rotational amnesty.
But during the President’s visit to Borno State, he referred to members of the sect as ghost…
There is no doubt that a number of those taking on the President for referring to Boko Haram as ghosts understand him. However, a large number of ignorants, whose trade in stock and daily source of joy is the ability to challenge Mr. President on any issue, are at it again.
Those whose intent is to intimidate President Jonathan out of office using any terrorist means might be making a slippery and catastrophic mistake, because we know their target. Capture the natural resources of the Niger Delta (crude oil) and appropriate it without question on how, where and when. This will be resisted.
Should Jonathan contest the 2015 presidential election given the tension in the land?
The answer is yes. Constitutionally, it is his right as a bonafide citizen of Nigeria. Rotationally, it is the right of the Niger Delta to consolidate its turn. The point needs to be made very clearly that Obasanjo representing the South West got his two terms in office. Musa Yar’Adua would have gotten his two terms in office if he did not die.
So what is the offence of the Niger Delta zone in this rotational formula? Indeed Nigerians owe this zone for obvious reasons. It is not about Jonathan, but the Niger Delta, The goose that lays the golden egg. A Niger Deltan is already in office, I think it is in the interest of all Nigerians that that Niger Delta is allowed to complete its tenure. A word is enough for all Nigerians.

Nigeria: APC Manifesto - Jonathan, Obasanjo to Face Probe - Immunity for President, Governors to Go By Festus Owete,

Photo: Vanguard

ACN Lagos Campaign

After weeks of intense debates, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, have finally adopted a manifesto, in which it enunciated plans to tackle corruption in Nigeria.
The parties had, in February, announced their plan to merge into one party to be known as All Progressives Congress, APC.
Consequently, the parties went into series of meetings during which it agreed on the constitution, manifesto, logo, motto and slogan.
Some of the documents are to be submitted alongside the application for registration to the Independent National Electoral Commission at the end of the national conventions of the parties, where the merger is to be approved by members.
According to the manifesto, exclusively obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the association spells out an ambitious action plan to aggressively tackle corruption, which a source said generated hot argument before it was finally adopted last week.
Some members of the association reportedly canvassed the need to include specific details, which will endear it to Nigerians above the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which it believes has not done well in that regard since assuming power at the federal level about 13 years ago.
The APC specifically declared in the 29-page document that if it comes to power in 2015, it would not only renegotiate oil deals, but would also remove the secrecy surrounding the ownership of 40% of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, and query the utilisation of the over N50 trillion oil revenue it claimed accrued to the Federation Account in the last 13 years PDP has been in power.
During the period, the PDP produced three Presidents, namely Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007), Umaru Yar'Adua (2007-2010) and incumbent Goodluck Jonathan (2010 till date).
The 20-member APC Manifesto (Logo, Slogan and Motto) Committee was headed by Audu Ogbeh, a former National Chairman of the PDP.
"We shall negotiate oil deals, unveil the secrecy surrounding the ownership of 49% of the Nigeria Liquefied, NLNG, query the over N50 trillion Oil Revenue which accrued to the Federation Account between 2000 and 2013 and recover billions of US Dollars which Ministries, Departments and Agencies, failed to remit to the Federation Account," the association declared on Section 1 Page 5 of the adopted manifesto.
The APC also declared that it would not only strengthen and make independent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and other anti-graft agencies by repealing the laws which inhibit their independent, it would also review public service rules and financial regulations which currently permit outrageous impropriety in public finances.
It also promised to push for the removal of the immunity clause in the constitution which shields the president, vice president, governors and deputy governors from prosecution while in office.
"APC in Government shall muster the political will to wage strident war against corruption; otherwise our post-oil-economy will be disastrous," the manifesto stated.
"It is our considered view that none of our cardinal programs will succeed if the current level of corruption and looting going on in the land is allowed to continue.
"We shall plug all leakages which accelerate monumental corruption, recover looted funds, cap and trim unwarranted allowances to public office holders."
With a view to sanitising the electoral process if it comes to power, the APC also adopted for its manifesto some recommendations of the defunct Electoral Reform Committee, otherwise known as Uwais Panel, set up by late President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Among the recommendations listed on Page 6 under the same section, are that it will "make the appointment of the chairman and top officials of the National and State Electoral Commissions public" and that the "Burden of Proof shall rest on the Electoral Commissioners." It did not expatiate on the recommendations.
On power, APC said in Section 4 Page 8 of the document that it will pursue the expansion of electricity generation and distribution of up to 40,000 megawatts in the four to eight years of its administration.
It added, "The party will also work assiduously at making available power from renewable energy sources such as coal solar, wind and biomass for domestic and industrial use, whenever these prove viable."
The APC also said in Section 23 Page 25 of the manifesto that, upon its assumption of office, it will begin wide consultations to amend the Constitution with a view to decentralizing the police command and expand local content.
It also promised to establish a well-trained, adequately equipped and goals-driven Serious Crime Squad to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy, ethno-religious and communal clashes nationwide.
On politics and governance enunciated in Section 24 Page 26 of the document, APC promised among other things, to initiate action to amend the constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench Federalism and the Federal Spirit; remove immunity from prosecution for elected public officers in criminal cases; ensure full implementation of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act so that government held data set can be requested and used by the media and public at large and then publish at large, and then on regular basis; and restructure government for a leaner, more efficient and less expensive public service.
"APC believes that our politics is broke. Our nation urgently needs fundamental political reform and improvement in governance to make it more transparent and accountable," the manifesto stressed.
On the social scene, APC also said it would not only invest in massive human capital that would encourage the youth, it promised to "assist Nollywood to fully develop into world-class industry that can compete effectively with Hollywood and Bollywood in due course.

Nigeria: ACN Holds Last Convention, Adopts APC As New Party

Photo: Vanguard

ACN Lagos Campaign

Lagos — APPROXIMATELY 4671 delegates of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Thursday in Lagos unanimously adopted the All Progressive Congress, APC, as its new political party.
Also, the party ratified the expulsion of some members approval of merger with other political parties and groups, approval of new name All Progressive Congress with acronym APC and approvals of new Constitution, manifesto, flag, logo and slogan.
There's urgent need for change - Akande
In his opening address, National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande said "this convention is a special one. The urgent need for change as the country desires to rescue our country compelled us to provide an alternative leadership for Nigeria. We must not entertain any fear or surrender to blackmail. We must be mindful that merger is new in Nigeria.
A storm is brewing - Tinubu
Lending his voice, national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu urged Nigerians to be part of history just as he predicted that a political storm is brewing in the country.
No ulterior motive to merger- Buhari
For ACN and CPC, it was not an alien issue, it was a continuation of what we started in 2011. Time was against us and all I can say is that the rest is history. This time around, we started early to build on the foundation we have laid in 2010. I assure you that all those who are consistent, that are concerned with this system of solidifying democracy should know that the only solution is this merger.

Govt can’t meet 10% of police requirements – Obi

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state yesterday expressed concern over the poor funding of the Nigeria Police Force, saying government “cannot even meet up 10 percent of the capital requirements of the police.”

Speaking to state House correspondents after a meeting of Interim Implementation Committee on Police Reform, he said the meeting discussed ways of raising additional funds for the police to perform its duties diligently.

He said: “The issue is that the police are underfunded, grossly, and this committee is trying to help them to raise money. There can never be a situation where a country cannot even foot up to ten percent of the capital requirements of the Police.

“Security is the most important issue, for us today. You can’t talk about anything without security, and if that is the most important issue, you should fund it at least reasonably.”

He said state governments would continue to partner with the federal government to enhance the performance of the Nigeria Police Force.

Also speaking, Minister of Affairs, Mr. Caleb Olubolade, said N20 billion had been earmarked in this year’s budget for the Police transformation programme.

He said the priority of the ministry was to ensure the smooth take-up of the Police University in Wudil, Kano state, to facilitate the training of the police personnel across the country.

“So, our priority is to commence the degree-awarding institution in Kano, to start training officers who are more versatile, young blood, who can inject professionalism into the Police,” he said.

Supreme Courts okays Uwazuruike for treason trial

From IKENNA EMEWU, Abuja
The Supreme Court has recommended leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, for treason trial. Uwazuruike, alongside six other members of MASSOB, had been pressing appeals to extricate themselves from pending treasonable felony trial, but lost at the final adjudication point yesterday.
The treason charge against them was initiated by the Federal Government in 2005. A five-man panel of the Supreme Court unanimous agreed, in their judgment that the appeal by Uwazurike and others was unmeritorious and designed to defeat the course of justice. The apex court, however, ordered that their trial should be promptly commenced and be conducted with dispatch.
Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, in the lead judgment, observed that the appeal, filed by Festus Keyamo for the MASSOB members, amounted to “a waste of precious judicial time since all the information imaginable that the appellants would need for their appeal has been available to them before they appealed to the Court of Appeal.” Other MASSOB members affected in the trial include Ambrose Anyaso, Augustine Ihuoma, Chibuike Nwosu, Kelechi Ubabuike, Chimankpa Okorocha and Benedict Alakwem.
The seven MASSOB appellants were first arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 8, 2005 on a four-count charge of conspiracy, treason, belonging to a militant group, MASSOB Army, and belonging to an unlawful society, MASSOB. They pleaded not guilty and applied that they be granted bail. Not satisfied, they approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja. The appellate court gave its judgment on May 15, 2008 granting only their prayer for bail.
They headed for the apex court, complaining, among others, that the charges against them were improper because there was no proof of evidence accompanying the charge. Justice Rhodes-Vivour, in his lead judgment, described the suit as frivolous. He held that the accused persons were provided with more information in relation to the charge, more than what they were entitled to under Section 33(1) and (2) of the Federal High Court Act.
He declared: “Though the appellants are not entitled to know the nature of evidence against them, the learned trial judge ordered the nature of evidence (information) served on the appellants, and this was done before their appeal in the Court of Appeal. “The argument that the charge should be dismissed because it was not accompanied by proof of evidence is a mere technicality designed to defeat the course of justice.
“In the light of the fact that the proof of evidence has been filed and is available to the appellants, trial should proceed with dispatch. The result is that the two issues urged in this appeal, on behalf of the appellants, fail and the appeal must fail as there is no merit.”

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Okorocha injured in auto crash

From GEORGE ONYEJIUWA, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, yesterday sustained head injury when his car was involved in a ghastly accident on Orlu-Owerri road. Consequently, he has been taken to London, en route Port Harcourt, for further medical attention. While on his way to Orlu for project inspection, the governor’s official car had a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz car, when the yet-to-be identified driver rammed into his convoy after losing control of his car.
The governor had sustained head injury, as he allegedly hit his head on the windscreen. He was first rushed to an undisclosed hospital, where he received initial treatment. Okorocha’s personal physician, Dr. Sylvester Igwe, had stated that the governor had laceration on his scalp, and was stable, adding that what he needed was further medical examination.
Last night, the governor was taken to Port Harcourt International Airport, from where he was taken to London. Earlier, Imo State Commissioner of Information, Mr. Chinedu Offor, had broken the news about the accident, saying that nobody died in the crash. “The governor’s official car had a head-on collision with a driver, but he escaped with minor injuries and his condition is stable now,” the commissioner said.
Okorocha, who was bandaged on the head, had stated that although he was stable and string, he would seek further medical attention, due to the level of impact of the accident on him. Also, speaking on the accident, the Imo State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Katsina, said he had dispatched the police investigation team to ascertain the cause of the accident and would give further information on the matter as soon as investigation was concluded.
Meanwhile, when our reporter visited the scene of the accident, the vehicles had been removed, while a few sympathisers were seen discussing the accident.

Governor Peter Obi flags of construction.

We Have Enough Money to Finance our Contracts to Completion –Obi 

Uploaded by Martin Ogboogu

Even while many contracts are going on in Anambra State in all the sectors as the State has never witnessed in the past, Gov. Peter Obi goes on flagging more contracts. In the last one week, he flagged of four roads, some in the most difficult areas of the State that many minds are agitated. Fully aware of this, he assured the people of Anambra State that his Government thrives on planning and that the money for all the contracts being awarded had already been saved. He made this remarks during the flag-off of Iyiowa-Odekwe Road at Okpoko.

Amidst applause from the populace and placards acknowledging Obi as the first Governor to visit the area and to do road work in the place, Obi assured them that the work would be completed within the life span of his Government. He also cautioned them against recklessness and in discriminate dumping of refuse into culverts.

The Governor who recalled many roads and projects his Government has executed in the area, including the on-going Atani-Ogwuikpele-Ochuche road, the on-going Atani-Ozubulu road, with three bridges; the transformers, the many schools renovated, electrification of some towns, among others, called on them to continue to support the Government through fulfilling their civic responsibilities.

In his remarks earlier, the State Commissioner for Works, Arc Callistus Ilozumba said that the contractor handling the project – IDR – had been tested and assured that he would deliver quality job according to specifications. He called on the people of the area to take ownership of the project by cooperating with the contactor and reporting any shoddiness to the Ministry.

He restated the determination of his administration to build a State everybody will be proud of and expressed satisfaction that conducive business environment has been created that is attracting investors from far and near.

Anambra 2014: PDP Guber Primaries Now For May 2013

Senator Andy Ubah at Ihiala recently

*galvanizes to upstage crises-ridden APGA
*begins ward sensitization tour
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has fixed its 2014 Anambra state governorship primaries for May next year.
Consequently the party yesterday kick-started its ward and grassroots sensitization tour in the state geared towards upstaging the ruling All progressives Grand Aliance (APGA).
Addressing the mammoth crowd that turned out at the maiden leg of the tour at Oye-Ukpo, headquarters of the council of Dunukofia LGA yesterday, the state chairman of the party, Prince Ken Emeakayi told the members to work hard to ensure a smooth sail back to the Awka Govt House, come 2014.
Smarting from its peaceful midterm congresses which had been acknowledged by the party headquarters as outstanding, Emeakayi noted it’s their mandate to take back the state via the people’s power, and return to their winning ways, through what he tagged “operation deliver your polling booth”.
He lamented that the state’s growth and development has stunted in the last seven years of APGA leadership in the state. The party’s governorship primaries, according to him has been fixed for next six or seven months, that is May or June next year.
Emeakayi reminded the party faithful that they were all the potential delegates to the primary to elect the governorship candidate. They were therefore urged to desist from political prostitution where they canvass for attention of the aspirants, instead of concentrating on their mobilization for the aspirants to be attracted to their industry. He wondered how they expected someone who could not recognize them when in need of their services and assistance would be expected to recognize them when he eventually wins.
The chairman praised the roles of Dr Alex Ekwueme and Prince Arthur Eze in seeing to the restoration of the peace through his executive of the party in the state.
A chieftain, Dr Ramas told the members to remain united, charging them to use the former crisis as a tool with which God cemented the party further. He insisted the need for a far reaching change in the state, pointing out there was yawning gap in youth empowerment and job creation presently.
Prince Eze in his goodwill message presented by Chief Vincent Ilogha, the Ogne of Ukpo, charged the executive not to betray the implicit confidence reposed in them by the members to give a transparent and purposeful leadership.
The Vice Chairman(Central), Amechi Onowu described the commencement of the tours as the beginning of the party’s journey towards recovery of their mandate to return to the Government House and leadership in the state’s legislature.

Who Is Apga Chairman, Maxi Okwu Or Victor Umeh?

Who Is Apga Chairman, Maxi Okwu Or Victor Umeh?

17 Apr 2013

After a long drawn bitter struggle for the soul of the All Progressives Grand Alliance between Chiefs Chekwas Okorie and Victor Umeh, which had split the party’s rank and file down the line and which ended as Okorie finally accepted his faith, surrendered the party’s registration certificate and formed his own party, I had thought the South-east-based party had seen its worst. I was wrong; we were all wrong, because I know I was n’t alone in that thought.

Now, another leadership struggle is on and the too warring chairmen are proxies of the two governors produced by the party who are fighting a supremacy battle for the control of APGA machinery.

Umeh, who was on February 10 restrained from parading himself as APGA chairman by a state High Court in Enugu presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Innocent Umezuluike, was on Monday reinstated by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu pending the determination of his appeal against the lower court. Meanwhile, shortly before the court ruling, Maxi Okwu was elected the party’s chairman at a national convention held at the Women Development Centre, Akwa, Anambra State attended by some leaders of the party including, and expectedly, its Deputy National Leader, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Now, Umeh claims he is APGA chairman, just like Okwu, who even had to abandon his own party CPP to hop on APGA.

Okwu says Umeh’s reinstatement is a hoax, Umeh says Okwu’s election at a convention in Akwa is a nullity. Only the court can help resolve the matter. But what has inflamed the APGA leadership crisis is the emergence of the opposition merger All Progressives Congress.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha who has some hold on Umeh believes in the merger and insists APGA is part of it. But Governor Obi who ostensibly has brought up the Okwu’s chairmanship is opposed to the merger, being an ally of President Jonathan, and says APGA is not for APC.

Obi condemns killing of Nwike, Anambra’s ex-deputy governor

From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi yesterday condemned in strong words, the killing of the former deputy governor of the state, Dr. Chudi Nwike, describing it as not only pathetic but crude and inhuman. Dr. Nwike who until his death was the national vice chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), South-East, was killed in Delta State by those suspected to be kidnappers who abducted him from Anambra and demanded N30 million ransom.
Describing his death as a great loss to Anambra State and Nigeria, Obi said, “by this death, the state had lost another experienced voice in terms of advice about governance.” Wondering why some people could still take other’s life without compunction, the governor said that such acts were vestiges of barbarism the country was trying to wipe out.
He however, stated that such callousness strengthens his resolve to continue to fight crime of whatever shade in the state and further described the perpetrators of the dastardly act as barbarians. Obi assured Nwike’s family that Anambra State Government sharedå in their sorrows and prayed to God “to strengthen them in this trying period.”

Anambra Elections: The past, present and future

By Chioma Gabriel
As the clock ticks for the exit of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state from office, the issues in the politics of Anambra state of South-East Nigeria are becoming more intriguing by the day. Since  the dawn  of democracy in 1999 , the case of Anambra state has remained confounding.
For one thing, it is the only state that has paraded five governors under controversial circumstances in the dispensation of 1999-2007. The chronicle of its governors ranged from Chinweoke Mbadinuju who became governor from 1999-2003. He was of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Dr Chris Ngige became the governor of the state from 2003 to 2006 on the same platform of PDP but he was removed in March 2006 when the Court of Appeal in Enugu asserted that his election victory in 2003 was rigged.

Ezeife, Etiaba, Mbadinuju, Ngige, Uba and Obi

He was succeeded by Peter Obi of All Progressive Grand Alliance,APGA, who in turn was ousted by a faction of the Anambra State House of Assembly on November 2, 2006 and was replaced by Virginia Etiaba his Deputy at that time. However, the circumstances became more confounding and on February 9, 2007 Mrs. Etiaba handed power back to Obi after the Court of Appeal had nullified Obi’s removal.
The governorship election of April 14 2007 where Andy Uba, the candidate of the ruling PDP was announced the governor was declared illegal on June 14, 2007 by the Supreme Court of Nigeria which replaced him with his predecessor Peter Obi, citing  illegality in Andy Uba’s election on April 14, 2007
Indeed, the political history of the state has been checkered since 2003 when Dr Chris Ngige became governor. The  issue he had with his political godfather, Chris Uba held the state hostage for months and brought about a lot of carnage and destruction.
In the Ngige era, the destiny of the entire State was reduced to a personal quarrel between two individuals until the two men at the centre of the crisis were persuaded to sheathe their swords
What made the Ngige and Uba problem more bizzare was that their struggle was over the actualisation of an agreement they both swore to before the Okija shrine. But as fate would have it, Dr Chris Ngige was removed from office on March 17, 2006, barely a year to the next election.
The situation was so bad that a presidential committee was set to resolve the issue after which Dr Chris Ngige and his estranged political sponsor, Mr. Chris Uba pledged to forget their differences in the interest of the State .Dr Ngige then pledged to make more sacrifices to engender peace while Uba said that Anambra would never be turned to a war theatre again.
Peter Obi made a triumphant entry into the scheme of things after the court ruling on the issues surrounding the election that produced Ngige  as governor .
He held sway in the state as Governor from March 17 2006 till November 3 2006 but the bickering between him and the PDP- dominated House of Assembly eventually saw him removed from office.
A vacuum was created as to who would become the governor between Mike Balonwu of the House of Assembly and Dame Virgy Etiaba, the then Deputy Governor.
The line eventually fell for Dame Virgy Etiaba in pleasant places as the controversy was resolved following her official recognition by the Federal Government. Many thought Etiaba would reject the offer but she made a volte face and took an oath of office as the governor of the state on November3 2006.
However, her tenure as Governor was short lived. On February 9, 2007, she was ousted from that position after a court nullified Peter Obi’s removal. But before then, her party APGA had fielded her as governorship candidate for 2007 guber elections because Peter Obi’s case was still undecided.
But  Obi was to get a supreme court ruling  which extended his tenure till 2010.
He contested and won a second term in office which was again plagued by petitions and court actions. But like a cat with nine lives, he scaled through. Presently, it is only days for him to conclude his second term having made history as the only governor from the state to serve a second term in office.
As the date for the next guber election in Anambra progresses, there has been a litany of problems and political bickering involving almost all the major political parties in the state especially APGA and PDP.
At present, so many of the issues are still unresolved and as the 2014 gubernatorial election approaches, the problems seem to be  gathering momentum.

Anambra condemns demolition of govt property in Onitsha

Anambra condemns demolition of govt property in Onitsha

By Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka 

ANAMBRA State government has condemned the demolition of the state veterinary quarters and other structures located at the GRA, Onitsha, by some indigenes laying claim to the land.
The affected areas are along Plot 14, Ring Road, Bent Lane behind judges’ quarters, Regina Nwankwu Avenue, Park Road and Enugu Road, all in GRA, Onitsha.
The Ekwerekwu family of Onitsha had on April 5 allegedly called for the demolition of structures on the affected plots, insisting that they were out to reclaim their land, which also housed the Police Barracks at Enugu Road, Onitsha.
The Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Okoli Akirika, who went on inspection at Onitsha yesterday to ascertain the extent of damage as a result of the demolition, said even if the lease of the affected areas had expired, there are proper ways of doing things.
He argued that the government is not against any person espousing any possessor’s right, but certain things should be done within the ambits of the law.
“This is government property anchored and situated on legality and we expect that whoever wants to espouse any right should do so within the ambit and procedure as prescribed by the law.
“We are open to complaints and petitions which could be legitimately lodged at the ministry so that we look at it for determination on its merit. If there will then be need to release property back to the owner, re-acquire the property or pay compensation, government shall do that.”
The commissioner stressed that the Governor Peter Obi-led administration is anchored on decency, legality, responsibility and responsiveness.
Although Akirika refused to ascertain the monetary value of the property damaged and when government acquired the land, he stressed that “this is something that involves landed property and is essentially been governed by documents.”
Reacting however, one of the lawyers to the original owners of the land, Mr. Azubuike Anyakwo, who came to the demolition site, told the commissioner that the action was carried out on the order of a court.

Nigeria: Anambra - Why We Can't Hold LG Elections Now - SSG

By Clifford Ndujihe, 14 April 2013

Anambra State is one of the 17 states that do not have democracy at the local council level. The Nigerian Governors' Forum, recently, advised such states to shape up and conduct council polls. In this interview, Secretary to the Anambra State Government, SSG, Oseloka Obaze, who is from Anambra North and considered to be eyeing the governorship seat, says the state cannot hold council polls now because of an avalanche of pending litigation. He also speaks on the need for Anambra North to produce the next governor among others.
On the Governors Forum charge to Anambra and 16 other states to conduct council polls.

We have spoken about this severally. We are constrained in holding the election because there are several cases before the law court and being a law-abiding government that believes in due process and the rule of law, we will not be in contempt of court to proceed to hold an election when those cases are not resolved.
I have said it often time that if those who are in court withdraw the cases from the state and the Attorney General of the state confirms that those cases have been successfully withdrawn then there is nothing that will disturb the conduct of the election, the governor will proceed to call for an election and Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) will proceed to conduct the election. So there is no problem there. The fact is that you cannot put the cart before the horse in this case.
On clamour by Anambra North to produce the next governor.

It is not a clamour rather it is a clarion call to discuss what has been the entrenched equilibrium and lack of equity in the way the state has run since 1991. Since 1991, the leadership of Anambra State, the governorship has been dominated by the South and Central senatorial zones and the Northern senatorial zone has so far not held any governorship position and it is believed that this the time we allow somebody from the North to emerge and take that position.
It is not zoned by any means but it is at least a shared view by well-meaning Anambrarians, some of them from the South, some of them from the Central, a view shared by the leadership of Anambra in the person of Governor Peter Obi and a view shared by the people of the North which is comprised of the people of Omambala, Oyi, Onitsha and Ogbaru and the discussion is still ongoing and I think it is a vibrant discussion.
What we said is that charity begins at home because it will be an anomaly for Igbo who continue to canvass for an Igbo Presidency, seeking equity and equilibrium to turn around at home and marginalise their kit and kin or refuse to grant the same benefit of being able to run for the governorship.
So that is the reality. But mind you, nobody has said that only the people from Anambra North senatorial district should run to the exclusion of the people of the South and Central. I have not heard that. All they are saying is that we must reach a meeting of the minds which say yes for a change. We want somebody from Anambra North to emerge. At the end of the day it is the electorate of Anambra that will vote. It is not something you can impose on anybody.
On speculations that he or his brother has Governor Peter Obi's backing to become the next governor of the state.
In politics, people can speculate what they want. I am from the North and my brother is from the North. But I cannot compete against my brother neither would he compete against me. But I think that even His Excellency, Governor Obi has said that he does not know who will succeed him and that it is only God that knows who the next successor is and I think at this point, it will be presumptuous for anybody to think that they know who is going to succeed Peter Obi, that is something that is left to the Anambra electorate and free and fair elections.
We saw what happened in Edo and Ondo states. If we have free and fair election, the right person will emerge and Anambra electorate will vote with their conscience that is the way I see it. Based on speculation, it is a democracy and people are free to speculate what they want. I know that neither I nor my brother has declared that we are running for any office.
On job creation efforts of the state government.
Unemployment is a global problem, it is not peculiar to Nigeria, it is also not peculiar to Anambra State but it is a challenge we face. What we are trying to do as you have observed, is that we have not employed in the state government for a while; we are going to open that up in months ahead.
Hopefully, we are starting with 3000 people perhaps in the educational sector. Generally, unemployment is addressed when you create wealth, build industries which allows people to be employed, and people who are employed earn income and invest it, they generate more wealth and then cut down the level of unemployment.
It's simple. We need to hasten whatever we are doing to allow more foreign and domestic investors to come into Anambra State, establish their businesses and employ more people. But we also have to understand that we face a unique challenge. We have a large labour force of largely unskilled labour.
Our people who are on the street hawking materials are not employable unless you are going to employ them as truck pushers. You cannot employ them as vigilante because they lack basic requirement to that. For the youth, those have already missed boat will have to find a way to accommodate.
The most important thing is to keep the younger ones in school where they are educated sufficiently to continue to the higher institutions or even if they don't go the higher institutions, they can go to the vocational schools where they come out as skilled labour. We have experienced a diminution of artisans, people who perform the highly needed menial jobs, lay ties, carpentry.

APGA: Umeh's Faction Restates Stand against Political Parties’ Merger

APGA: Umeh's Faction Restates Stand against Political Parties’ Merger

16 Apr 2013

• INEC must investigate Obi, says Ezugwu

By Segun Awofadeji in   Bauchi

The Victor Umeh-led All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has reiterated its stand that it will not merge with any political party in the country ahead of the 2015 general election.

The party  National Secretary, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi told journalists in Bauchi at the weekend that the party would not lose its identity to merge with any political party, adding that it will field a presidential candidate for the 2015 elections.

“On the issue of merger, we have been saying it times without number that APGA has not joined merger with any political party. APGA will field a presidential candidate in the 2015 general election, APGA is not in All Progressive Congress (APC)” Shinkafi stated.
Shinkafi, who was in Bauchi to condole the family of the state APGA chairman, Alhaji Danjuma Musa, said however that Governor Rochas Okorochas of Imo State had in his individual capacity joined the merger bandwagon.

He added, “So what we are trying to tell you is that we are not part of the merger, we will retain our identity as APGA, but we will hold talks with any progressively-minded political party to go into alliance.”
He further explained that APGA as a political party in line with the Electoral Act as amended would not lose or surrender its identity to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to go into merger with three other political parties.

Shinkafi, who also said APGA would deal decisively with any erring member of the party especially those that opted for the merger, stressed that punishments relating to such offences being committed by members were clearly spelt out in the constitution of the party.
“So nobody is above the law, nobody is above the constitution of the party and the party has supremacy over any individual or a governor, even (PDP) is bigger than Jonathan, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is bigger than Tinubu, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) is bigger than Buhari,” he said.

Shinkafi decried a situation whereby governors of the PDP are ganging against the National Chairman of the party, Bamanga Tukur, and are even calling for his removal.
He recalled that the recent Court of Appeal judgment that upheld the Victor Umeh-led national leadership of APGA was a clear manifestation that the party was supreme over its members.

Shinkafi similarly expressed dissatisfaction over the way and manner the Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, tried to sell APGA to the PDP, describing him as insincere person who has one leg each in both APGA and the PDP.
The APGA scribe further alleged that the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan by the party in the 2011 elections without any monetary condition or otherwise had fetched personal benefits to Obi and his tribe.

“After the election was fought and won, Jonathan gave three ambassadorial nominees to APGA, one Special Adviser, 28 other political appointments, all these were carried away by Obi, all those positions were given to Igbos, none was given to Hausa, South-south, South-west, nobody from these parts of the country was appointed a cleaner,” he said.
He opined that if Jonathan wanted to relate with APGA, let him relate with the party not an individual as Obi is saying bye-bye to his tenure which expires on March 17, 2014.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of APGA and the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu, has called on the INEC to as a matter of urgency investigate the Obi-led national convention of the party conducted last Monday.
Ezugwu made the call in Enugu yesterday while describing the convention as an eyesore, adding that he was still confused at the role INEC played in monitoring the proceedings at an unholy time of 1a.m.

“We are calling on INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to investigate the fraudulent conduct of the convention purported by Obi and also the authorisation of the INEC personnel that monitored the proceedings of the 1 a.m. to 7a.m. during last Monday’s convention
“How did INEC itself got entangled in this because I doubt if Jega himself was given adequate notice of information to be part of such a deal to monitor a convention at that unholy time or is INEC no longer a public institution?” he asked.

Ezugwu also wondered why Obi should applaud the illegal convention and while his cohorts should discredit the Court of Appeal ruling where three judges gave a ruling for stay of execution and ordering the reinstatement of the national chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
“I do not see any reason why Obi should support such an illegal convention by applauding it and his aide, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Joemartins Uzodike, disregarding the Monday Appeal Court judgment by describing it as "judgment in futility."

He also called on the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the 24 impostors claiming to be state party chairmen of APGA that signed the notice of the congresses and convention, citing a similar case which is now pending in court where Sadiq Massala claimed he had the mandate of 20  NWC members to remove Chief Victor Umeh from office but INEC later discovered the 11 of the so-called signatories were impostors.

He asked Obi and his lieutenants to desist from destroying the party which they all laboured to build.
“Obi and his cohorts must refrain from destroying APGA and disobeying court judgments since he himself was a beneficiary of the same court judgments,” he said.

APGA: Umeh is gone forever – Okwu

APGA: Umeh is gone forever – Okwu

Published on Tuesday, 16 April 2013 00:30
Written by CHRIS OCHAYI

Chief Victor UmehNational Chairman of All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, faction, Maxi Okwu, has said the party’s leadership under him remained the authentic until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or competent court of law said otherwise.

Okwu, who spoke at the town hall meeting with APGA members in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, weekend, said Chief Victor Umeh was gone, adding that what he was carrying around was just a court order.

Okwu, who also paid a visit to the Eze Igbo 1, Abuja, Dr. Nwosu Ibe as part of an advocacy campaign to take the new APGA leadership to the people, noted, however, that he was not nursing any fear that INEC might nullify the party convention held in Awka where he emerged.

He said:  “ “I am not afraid the INEC will annul the national convention of the party held in Awka, where I emerged victorious as the national chairman.

”No I am not afraid but I am merely stating the obvious. Only a court of law or INEC can change the situation. But as I speak with you, INEC is with us. INEC was with us in Awka to observe the convention.

Who succeeds Obi?

Posted by: Tunde on April 15, 2013

Political parties are warming up for the next governorship election in Anambra State. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants.
The next governorship elec tion is expected to be a milestone in Anambra State. Governor Peter Obi will bow out in March, next year, following the expiration of his second term in office. Will he hand over to another All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governor? Will any of the opposition parties steal the show and instal his successor?
The political parties are warming up for the epic battle. The contest may hold in November. The governorshipaspirants have started positioning themselves.
Four parties are in contention. There is the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is fusing into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP). There are two other parties-the African Democratic Party (ADC) and the United Peoples Party (UPP).
The PDP, which is the self-styled largest party in Africa, is in disarray in Anambra State. The ruling party,APGA, also has its problems, although the governor has done it proud by performing in office. The fearsome APC is being expected when the merger plans between the ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are concluded. APGA is basking in the euphoria of the power of incumbency. But ACN has said that this will collapse on poll day.
There are three zones Obi is pushing for power shift to Anambra North Senatorial Zone. He is mobilising party leaders to support the rotational principle.
The governor has pointed out that since the creation of the state in 1991 by the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida the zone has not produced any civilian governor.
The Central Senatorial Zone produced Obi (2006 till date), Dr. Chris Ngige (2003-2006), Dame Etiaba (November 2006-February 2007).
The South produced Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (1999-2003), Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (January 1992-November 1993) and Dr. Andy Uba, who was deposed by the court. Thus, in the last 22 years, the South has produced three governors and the Central has also had a stint.
Anambra North has only been playing the second fiddle. The former deputy governor, Dr. Chidi Nwike, who was recently murdered in Asaba, Delta State capital, hailed from the zone. He was until his demise the National Vice Chairman of the ACN in the Southeast. Chief Chinedu Emeka, who was deputy to Mbadinuju, is also from the zone.
The various groups and associations calling for power shift to the North have been strengthened by the governor’s position.
However, the aspirants from other zones are not deterred by this clamour. Those of them who belong to the ruling party have vowed to resisit the governor’s move to back a contender from the North.
From all indications, the aspirants from the other zones seem to be stronger than those from the North. Therefore, observers contend that the North may end up producing another deputy governor.
Already, the posters of the aspirants have flooded the nooks and crannies of the state. Those who have not come out with posters said that they are consulting with the stakeholders.
The aspirants include ACN strongman, Senator Ngige, who represents Anambra Central, the federal legislator from Anaocha/Njikoka Dunukofia Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Senator Andy Uba, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. Others are Chief Olisa Metuh, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, Mr. John Nwosu, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Oseloka Obaze, Senator Emma Anosike, and Sir Godwin Ezemo.
PDP has more aspirants than other parties. APGA has a sizeable number. But ACN seems to parade the strongest aspirant.
There are some aspirants still floating without any political platform. Some are just in the race to seek relevance. Some of them lack a strong financial base. More aspirants may still join the crowd.
 THE ASPIRANTS
Ngige (ACN)
He is the political bulldozer.
The dimunitive, bearded politician is very popular in the state. Many admire him for his courage and strong will. He is vocal on the podium and he has mobilisation skill. Ngige is running for the third time. He ruled the state between 2003 to 2006, before he was removed by the Appeal Court in Enugu, which ruled that Obi won the 2003 poll.
He has a good leadership style. He also performed creditably as the governor. Ngige constructed many roads that have continued to remind the people that he cared for them. The roads opened up many communities.
Recently, Ngige said that he was not coming back to play but to continue the good work. He explained that his motto now is: “Operation totality for restoration of the abused system”.
However, he will have challengers in the ACN, although there is the pervading feeling that he will get the ticket.
Ngige’s popularity has reflected in the outcome of past polls in Anambra State. His party won six House of Assembly seats, one House of Representatives seat and a senatorial seat. During the senatorial election, he defeated the former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili of APGA.
If he emerges as the ACN candidate, he will be the candidate to beat.
Ekwunife (APGA)
Uche Lilian Ekwunife has endeared herself to the hearts of the people because she is a colourful politician.
Recently, there was the rumours that she is only interested in becoming the deputy governor. But she debunked it, saying that “if anybody is thinking of such a thing, it means the person does not understand what politics is all about. I was there in 2010 and I want to state it here again, that I, Uche Ekwunife will be running for the governorship of this state. Why should I vie for deputy? I am not joking about it.”
Ekwunife is contesting on the platform of APGA. She is from Central Senatorial Zone and the only woman running for the position at present.
She is the House Committee Chairman on Environment. She has given scholarship to over 300 students, not only in Anambra, but also in other states. She has widows and other less privileged persons on her pay roll.
In the state, Ekwunife is described as the woman with the heart of gold. The only thing that disturbs her mind right now is the crisis tearing her party apart.
Already, the aspirant has visited the 21 local government areas for the inauguration of her campaign committees.
Ekwunife, Ngige and Ifeanyi Uba are the only contenders for the governorship position who are serious with their projects at the moment.
Uba (PDP)
Andy Uba, who represents Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the Senate, had tested the carrot in 2007 when he won the seat under (PDP).
But his tenure lasted for only 17days, following the interpretation of tenure by the Supreme Court that returned Obi to power.
In 2010, PDP denied him the ticket and handed it over to the former Central Bank Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Uba moved to the Labour Party, but he failed to make an impact. Many believed that he was in the race to reduce the chances of Soludo.
After the election, Uba returned to the PDP, where he has been consulting with stakeholders on his ambition to return to power . This seems to be yielding dividends. Although he has not formally launched his ambition, political hangers-on have been urging him to contest.
Analysts believe that Uba may make an impact during the election, if given the ticket by his party. However, others are equally going for the same ticket. The only problem he may face is clearing the mess of his enfant terrible younger brother, Chief Chris Uba.
Political observers say he may not likely pursue his project on the platform of PDP because of his alleged romance with LP , if he is denied the PDP ticket, which is likely to happen.
Nwankpo (PDP)
Many believe that he has the backing of the Presidency to grab the PDP ticket. He is the Secretary of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), which has been enmeshed by controversies.
The man, who hails from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area, has been acquiring chieftaincy titles since 2012. He has also actively participated in alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims.
However, some people have been alleging that he does not have what it takes to rule Anambra State and that he is not a grassroots politician. Alhough he has not corrected such impression already created by delving into the foundation work, analysts still believe that he still has a lot of work to do.
A close look at him could convince one that he is a gentle man, but the question remains whether he could swim in the political water of Anambra State, despite his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nwankpo is believed to be in the good books of all the appointees of the President, but can he get the ticket?
Ukachukwu (PDP)
In 2010, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu contested the governorship on the platform of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), but failed to secure the ticket.
Today, he is back to the PDP . He has not formally announced his ambition, but insiders in his camp told The Nation that he is seriously mobilising for the exercise.
A dogged fighter and mobiliser, Ukachukwu is known for contesting every election in the state. He contested and won the House of Representatives seat in Abuja Municipal Council in 1999.
Already, he has taken a full duplex in Awka for his campaign, with his photograph boldly displayed in front of the building along Onitsha-Enugu Express Way.
His major problem now is how to get the PDP ticket, which is also being contested by Nwankpo and Uba. If he eventually emerges, he is likely to face stiff opposition from some party chieftains.
Obaze (APGA)
A career diplomat, Obaze returned to the state on Obi’s request to become the Secretary to the Government.
Described as a gentleman and a hard worker by his admirers, Obaze replaced his younger brother in Obi’s executive council, Dubem, who was referred to as de-facto governor of the state during his time as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The Nation gathered that the ground is being watered for him by APGA to replace Obi, despite the number of interests in the plum job.
The Ogbaru Local Government born-diplomat, returned to the country in 2012, when he assumed his new position. Many APGA faithful believe that the party may be embarking on a suicide mission, if eventually he picks the ticket because he is a political neophyte.
But what is going for him is his humility, sense of direction and organisational acumen.
Ezeemo (ACN)
For now, he is the only person to battle Ngige for the party’s ticket, having been with the party when he was in London. He is a party financier.
Sir Godwin Ezeemo’s gestures to churches, markets, artisans, corporate organisations and has really brought him closer to the masses.
Moreover, his support for Ngige for a period of over seven years has made people to believe that, if given such opportunity, he is likely to surpass what the former governor did.
The amiable young man built a two-storey edifice for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Anambra State. It is worth over N80 million. Previous and present administrations could not achieve that.
Not only that, in May 2012, the Orient Magazine and Newspaper publisher took another giant stride in collaboration with the Anambra State NUJ by organising a one-week public conference on value re-orientation.
He is a formidable challenger to Ngige.
Ubah (APGA)
Ifeanyi Ubah is the man the Uba Dynasty in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area, refers to as Ubah with “h” in the state. The Chief Executive of Capital Oil and Gas hails from Nnewi. It was believed that his travails recently were the handwork of some people in the state because of his political ambition.
Apart from Ngige and Ekwunife, who are on the lips of ACN and APGA faithful, Ubah is the next person in line that has appealed to the people.
In 2012, he distributed kerosene to many homes at the peak of scarcity which hit the country. He ordered that a litre should be sold at N50 when it was being sold at N150 per litre elsewhere.
Many associations have been formed in the state by the youths and the women in support of Ubah with “h”, while Nollywood actors and actresses have been following him to every nook and cranny to show their support.
Before now, he has supported the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who is battling other party leaders for the soul of the party. His subtle endorsement earlier by Umeh was what triggered off the sour relationship between Obi and his chairman.
However, political observers believe that, with Uba and Ekwunife pairing , APGA is likely to give other candidates sleepless nights as being speculated.
Anosike (PDP)
The only thing that has been hampering Emmanuel Anosike from kicking off his campaigns is the crisis that has bedeviled his party in the past eight years.
The senator, who represented Anambra North, but was replaced by Senator Joy Emodi following a Court of Appeal verdict, has been holding meetings in his country home, Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Anosike had equally represented his Anambra East and West in the House of Representatives between 1991 and 1993 where he excelled.
Since then, he has not looked back in Anambra politics and is regarded as a political buldozer by his admirers and supporters.
He seems to be the only person in the PDP that has officially announced his interest and readiness to represent the party during the election. Furthermore, it is believed that “Opete Umueri” has the ears of the powers that be in the party. He is close to the Presidency, which was the reason for his being made the Southeast Co-ordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation during the 2011 presidential election.
Apart from these gladiators, there are other candidates in other smaller parties. They include Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who hails from Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area. He is the Southeast Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). He has been going round to canvass for support and relies heavily on the promise of Governor Obi that the North should produce the next governor.
There is also Dr. Alex Obigbolu from Onitsha, who was the chairman of the Anambra State Local Government Civil Service Commission. He contested the governorship in 2010 on the platform of African Political System (APS). Later, he defected to the PDP. He sees himself as the most qualified among the candidates. Though his backers are not known, but from all indications, he has a large following at the grassroots. The only thing that can hinder his chance is the lack of strong financial base.
An orator and a gentleman, Obiogbolu’s intelligence is another strong point. Recently, a PDP chieftain told The Nation that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, is also interested in the plum job. He however, said Metuh is studying the crisis in the party, which has failed to abate.
Other aspirants are John Nwosu and Patrick Obianwu. The list may swell as time goes on. The Nation learnt in Awka that Obi’s deputy, Emeka Sibedu, may throw his hat into the ring.
A source said that the pendulum may swing to his favour, despite the clamour for a candidate from the North.
However, his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Madu, told The Nation that those behind such speculations are on their own, adding that his boss has never has no ambition.
“My boss is only interested in giving his full support to his oga, his Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, in making sure that Anambra State becomes better than they met it”, he said.
The whistle has been blown. The race is on. Whoever emerges as flag bearer of his party would work harder to replace Obi n 2014.

Kogi, Anambra crisis: Group urges FG to avert ethnic war

Kogi, Anambra crisis: Group urges FG to avert ethnic war

A group under the auspices of Networks of Igala Association has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the lingering boundary dispute between Ibaji community in Kogi State and Aguleri Otu in Anambra State to avoid what it called an unnecessary ethnic war.

President of the group, Dr Goodman Akwu, made the appeal at the weekend while speaking to journalists at Idah. Akwu  said the two communities have been living peacefully for centuries.

“We have been living together and even inter-marry, but since oil was discovered in the land, peace has departed the area. Anambra people want to claim that area because of oil”, he said.

He urged the Federal Government to stop foot dragging over the issue, adding that since the Orient Oil has the right of exploration of the said oil well, the people of Ibaji in Kogi State have the right to enjoy the benefit of their land.  

“It will be a shame on the people of the Northern region if the people or the land that produced the oil for Orient Oils is refused to enjoy the benefit of it. The  Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) Northern Governors’ Forum and allied agencies have been informed of the injustice being metted to the people of Kogi State over the denial of this benefit,” he said.

Okwu’s must tender apology on insult on Ojukwu –APGA chieftain

From PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Igbo elder statesman and former deputy national chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Onwuka Ukwa has warned those linked with the reported insult on the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to tender immediate apology or have themselves to blame.
Factional Chairman of APGA, Chief Maxi Okwu had in his post-election speech at the party’s convention in Awka, last Monday, described Ojukwu as an extremist, saying his (Okwu’s) leadership of the party would adopt non-extremists philosophy of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Okwu said: “Political reality in Nigeria does not favour extremism.”
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu at the weekend, Ukwa recalled that Okwu’s abuse of Ojukwu was quite similar to the insult by Dr. Chuba Okadigbo on the legendry Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik), whose remarks, he (Okadigbo) dismissed as “the ranting of the ants.”
He said Okadigbo was then a member of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and also a notable political aide to former president Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic.
He said the same way Okadigbo’s insult on Zik hunted him (Okadigbo) throughout his political career, apparently was the way Okwu’s abuse of Ojukwu would hunt him except he retracted the statement. According to Ukwa, “it was even more unfortunate that Okwu insulted Ojukwu in the presence of Governor Obi,” who he said, sat there watching and never called him to order.
Ukwa insisted that Okwu and his cohorts needed “to quickly retract the statement. “It’s a serious concern to both the party and Ndigbo that Maxi Okwu of yesterday will describe our hero, Dim Emeka Ojukwu as an extrimist; I don’t see Ojukwu’s struggle for the cause of his own people as that of an extremist.
It’s so unfortunate he made such disrespectful and insulting statement on a man who was given a hero’s burial a year ago.”

Njiko Igbo: The True Story

Njiko Igbo: The True Story

 [ Masterweb Reports: Yahaya Ezeemoo G.K. Ndu reports ] – It has come to my notice that a group led by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu [ a former Governor of Abia State] is parading itself as Njiko Igbo and the group’s objective was the actualization of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, come 2015.

I beg to use this medium to explain the origin, mission , vision and operations of the NJIKO IGBO cultural Organization which I founded and has been effectively operating with since 1983 . I also wish to use this medium to appeal to well meaning Igbos to prevail on Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to please leave Njiko Igbo alone and rather look for another name to further his political aspirations in the interest of peace.

I have absolutely nothing against the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2015,afterall, I myself contested for the presidency of Nigeria in 2003 and again in 2011. Incidentally, on both occasions I did not bring the Njiko Igbo into the partisan struggle as my idea in establishing the organization was not to use it to oil any partisan political machinery but for some deeper course.

PREAMBLE

I was born in Jos the Plateau state capital in 1957 and was therefore 10 years of age when the genocide against Igbos termed civil war started and witnessed first hand the most inhuman pogrom in the history of black Africa,  if not of the whole world and of all times.

When the war was said to have  ended in 1970, I continued to witness the continued atrocities meted out against the Igbos. In 1976, I gained admission to read law at the University of Ife [now Obafemi Awolowo University] and had become passionate about researching into the life and times of the Igbo race from time immemorial to the present day and with an unquenching desire to hazard their future.

I read about King Jaja of Opobo[1821-1891] and of other prominent ibos such as Olaudah Equino  and was surprised that there were no organized establishment in Nigeria dedicated to the study of Igbos , their culture, history and civilization.

Incidentally, the motto of the University of Ife is For Learning and Culture. NJIKO is an Igbo word and Njiko Igbo is an Igbo phrase meaning the unification/unity /union/fraternity of the Igbos and as such could be said to be existing as a phrase ever before the birth of either my humble self or Orji Uzor Kalu, but the circumstances surrounding the Njiko Igbo cultural organization as well as its relationship to Orji Uzor Kalu is such that I am of the considered opinion that every and all fair minded human beings, whether Igbos or not whom are privileged to know the facts will to say the least appeal to Orji Uzor Kalu to leave Njiko Igbo alone and look for another name for his group and aspirations.

The NJIKO IGBO Cultural Organization was founded by me in 1983 at Enugu at No.61 Owerri Road, Asata, Enugu and was formerly inaugurated at the Prince Palace Hotel, Enugu on Thursday  20th April 1989 in an public function which was witnessed by many prominent and regular Igbos from all walks of life. One very prominent Ibo who was also there was Chief[Dr]B.U.Nzeribe,the Ekwueme of Orlu.and the proprietor of Palm Beach Insurance and Palm Beach Tourist Village , Awoommama, in Oru East local government of Imo State.

At the said inauguration event, Dr. B.U.Nzeribe openly there and then expressed his gratitude for the initiative and invited me to  Awomamma [his home town]  to discuss further on the organization, its objectives and plans and on how to make it a real beacon for Ndiigbo.

I accepted his invitation and traveled to Awomamma where details were accordingly discussed. It was decided that other prominent Igbos especially those who were passionate about the projection of Igbo culture, traditions and civilization should be involved. Two of such people were Eze Ahurukwe Madukwem Unaka,the traditional ruler of Abba, and his West Indian wife,lolo Unaka.

I therefore travelled to Abba, and with a letter of introduction from Dr.B.U.Nzeribe dated that day-25th ,April,1989.I met with and held discussions with the said Eze Ahurukwe Unaka and Lolo Unaka at the Eze’s palace in Abba,Imo state. In the course of which both the Eze and his wife were intimated  on the next meeting scheduled to hold at Awommamma on the 1st of May, 1989.

On the 1st of May, I set off from Enugu early in the morning in the company of Mr. Simeon Onuora and Mr. John Ezerim, the later was driving us in his Peugeot 504 saloon car, The three of us drove straight to Abba and picked up Lolo Unaka since the Eze was unavoidably engaged elsewhere.

On getting to Awommamma, the scheduled meeting was held at Harambe lodge at Palm Beach Tourist Village, on the ground floor. It was later moved upstairs, after lunch. At the meeting, Chief [Dr] B.U.Nzeribe announced to all that he has donated the major hall in his Palm Beach Resort to the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization [ the hall was hitherto called and known as Odinkenma Hall] and that he would wish the hall to be known as and used as Igbo cultural Research Centre. This was initially agreed upon until a better name was suggested. His name later suggested was Institute of Igbo Culture and Civilization.

All were informed at the meeting of another meeting convened by Mr. F.C.Ogbalu of Igbo intellectuals and scheduled to hold at the University of Nigeria ,Nsukka and it was further greed that moves be made to move the Ogbalu meeting to the Palm Beach Tourist Village, Awommamma so as to further water the grounds for the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization to more effectively serve Ndiigbo.

I was mandated to represent both Dr.B.U.Nzeribe and Eze Anurukwe Madukwem Unaka at the F.C.Ogbalu’s meeting and was driven to the meeting by the personal driver to Chief Nzeribe[by name Celestine].The F.C.Ogbalu meeting received my message very happily.

CENTER FOR IGBO STUDIES[CIS] AT THE ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY [ABSU]

I was invited by Prof.Godfey N. Uzoigwe[the pioneer Director of the Center for Igbo Studies at the Abia state University and the then President of the Historical Society of Nigeria] to the opening ceremony of the First Annual Conference of the centre on the theme: The Igbo and the tradition of Politics, that held on the 11th July,1991 at the University auditorium. I participated actively at the event and was later made an Associate fellow of the centre.

After attending the event, I persuaded other members of the Njiko Igbo Cultural organization that rather than dissipating and duplicating efforts in trying to establish another Center for Igbo Studies and civilization, that since there was already an existing   Center for Igbo studies at the Abia state University, that if our intentions were truly to serve the Igbo race, that it would be better for us to channel our energies towards ensuring that the center at ABSU was better equipped and funded to discharge its functions effectively. My appeal was heeded and I thereafter initiated communications with the authorities of the university for this purpose.

After scores of meetings and travels from Enugu to Uturu/Okigwe, eventually on August 17th 1994 an agreement was signed between myself and the Abia state University for the organizing of an endowment fund for the Centre for Igbo Studies of the university.

Throughout  this period, the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization was receiving maximum publicity in the news media, especially in Abia state. The TSM [the Sunday Magazine] of December 4,1994 for instance had a lot to say on both the Njiko Igbo Organization and on the endowment fund project of the centre for Igbo Studies . Its story was entitled: In Search of Igbo Ancestry. So also had the National Ambassador newspaper of Thursday 18-Sat 24 December,1994, on an article entitled: Clues to a Cultural Future-How Njiko Igbo is setting the pace.

The Military Administrator of Abia State, Navy Captain Temi Ejoor, on Tuesday 10th January, 1995, inaugurated an eleven [11] member Endowment Fund Planning Committee for the said Centre for Igbo Studies of the Abia State University. The occasion took place at the Executive Chamber, Government House, Umuahia.  On that occasion, the Military Administrator announced a Take Off grant of N100,000.00[ One hundred thousand naira] to the Endowment Fund Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee member were as follows:

[a]PRESENT.

1. Alhaji Yahaya E.G.K.Ndu-Representing Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization and the African Films Limited-Chairman.
2. Senator Ben Collins Ndu-member.
3. Prof.M.A.Mkpa,Deputy Vice Chancellor-Representing Abia State University[he later rose to become the Vice Chancellor of the University and is currently the Secretary to the Abia State Government]-member.
4. Mr. O.E.Onuoha[ Registrars nominee]-member.
5. Barrister C.P.Madumere-member/Secretary.
6. Mr.Dele Olowu [nominee of the Military Administrator and Representative of the Abia state Government].-member
7. Rev. P.J.O.Okorie[nominee of the Ministry of Education and Youth Development]-member.
8. Mr.Okpi[nominee of the Ministry of Information]-member.

[b] ABSENT
9. Dr.U.D.Anyawu-Representative of ABSU-member.
10. Mr.M.O.Oleka,Representative of ABSU.member.

[c] IN ATTENDANCE WERE-
11. Chief Imo Iboko, Commissioner for Education, Abia state, and
12. Mrs B.Aja Wachukwu, Commissioner for Information, Abia State.

This event was widely reported in numerous National Nigerian Newspapers, Radio and Television. For instance, the National Ambassador newspaper carried it on its front page on its edition of Sunday 15-Wednesday 18, January, 1995.

The OHANEZE Ndiigbo invited me to explain the project to the group, which I did and the group expressed its satisfaction.

The Planning Committee held several meetings and prominent Igbo sons and daughters were appointed into the Board of Trustees of the centre for Igbo Studies Endowment fund project, amongst which were:

1. His Excellency, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu-Chairman.
2. His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. R.O.Uwadi-Vice Chairman.
3. Chief Dr. H.I.Uzoewulu-Secretary.
4. Prof. M.A.Mkpa-Financial Secretary.
5. Prof. S.O.Igwe-Vice Chancellor-Patron.
6. H.R.H. Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro[Eze Aro]
7. Colonel C.Ike Nwosu-member.
8. Prof. J.C.Irukwu-member.

9. Eze Ogo Dr. Anagha Ezikpe-member.
10. Pro.S.O.Emejuaiwe-member.
11. Prof.A.I.Nwabughuogu-member
12. Comrade[now Senator]Uche Chukwumerije-member.
13. Prof. J.K.Onoh-member
14. Prof. A.E.Afigbo-member.
15. Mr.C.N.Iroanya-member.
16. Chief Kalu Okpi-member.
17. M.O.Oleka-member.
18. Mr.B.U.Mbilitam[Representative of Senator Francis F.J.Ellah]-member.
19. Alhaji Yahaya Ndu-member.
20. Raph O.Aja-member.
21. Mr O.I.kanu-Assistane Secretary.

The Board of Trustees was inaugurated by the then Honourable Minster for Information and Culture, Chief Dr. Walter Ofonagoro on Thurday the 5th of June, 1997 at Hotel Presidential ,Enugu. Even the hall where the event took place was paid for by the Njiko Igbo cultural organisation, and I still have the receipt.

DR. ORJI UZOR KALU

To sensitize and mobilize Igbos both prominent and commoners like myself, both at home and in the Diaspora, I traversed the length and breadth of Igboland and Nigeria. I visited hundreds of homes and offices, wrote thousands of letters, wrote to all Igbo Organizations that I could identify allover the world, all in the name of Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization, and later in the name of the Planning Committee for the Endowment of the Centre for Igbo Studies at the Abia State University.

I visited Dr. Sam Mbakwe at Obowo, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu,Chief Saab Ejimofor,I visited the Hill Top Club Aba,Chekwas Okorie, Wrote to the Internet wizard Philip Emeagwali,Visted Chief Osita Aguna in Enugu Ukwu, visited Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, visited Chief Arthur Nzeribe at his home in Oguta, visited the Eze Nri severally at Agukwu Nri, visited Prof. Edozien [the Asagba of Asaba] at his palace in Asaba, visited Justice Azinge,I travelled to Jos to visit Chief Rochas  Okorocha, Eddy Onuoha. I wrote severally to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and visited his offices . at a point, I was directed to another of his offices in Aba to meet Barr. Chuka Odum who later became minister of state for FCT. I wrote to the world Igbo Congress and to the World Igbo Council. I visited the Eze Okpoko of Oba,Travelled to Lagos to visit Chief Ben Obi, and Alhaji Abdulazeez Udeh. I travelled to Nsukka where I met Dr. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe.I wrote to Dr. Alex Ekwueme and to Chief Emeka Anyaoko who was then at the Commonwealth and still have their replies.

In fact, I recall vividly that when Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu won election to become the Governor of new Abia State, before he was sworn into office, he was guest at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria[FRCN]’s audience participation phone in program-Radio Link. I was the first  caller and called from Enugu, where I had congratulated him on his election victory , after introducing myself and the Njiko Igbo cultural organization, I had sought to know his plans for assisting the actualization of the Center for Igbo Studies at the Abia State University, especially as he was someone believed to be passionate about Igbo affairs. His answer which I found surprising and to say the truth disappointing if a little preposterous in the circumstances was  that he was not so concerned with issues of Igbo language, but that however in the tail end of his second tenure, he would look into it.

During both his first tenure and his second tenures as the Executive Governor of Abia State, he ignored all letters that I wrote to him to assist the project. After his terms in Abia state, I still went to him at an appointment arranged by Dr. Iboko Iboko at his residence/office in Wuse 2, Abuja. I solicited his assistance to assist the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization to organize a meeting of all Chairmen and Secretaries of Igbo Town Unions, but he was not interested.

I was therefore shocked to discover that he has recently started using the name Njiko Igbo and publishing about it mostly in the Sun Newspaper. I have tried all I can to get him to drop the name and to look for another name for his 2015 presidential election project to no avail.

Shortly before Easter this year I complained to Chief Nkire, the National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Party[PPA{ a party founded by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. Nkire told me that Dr. Kalu was abroad but that he was expected back before the Easter celebrations and that he would arrange a meeting with us ti iron things out. After the Easter holidays , I called Nkire to remind him, but he now said that he had expected me to call while Dr. Kalu was around and that Dr. Kalu had travelled abroad again.

I sent a Lawyer to the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] to seek for the availability of name but was informed that another person [whom I suspect to be Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s agent] had reserved the name. I find this most unfortunate and I dare say that it is not only in bad faith on the part of the former governor but also an abuse of office. He clearly is making unlawful, immoral and unpatriotic use of information available to him while he was in office to say the least. It is an act most unbecoming for one who proclaims that he is interested in Igbo unity to seek to hijack the initiative that was planted and germinated in Enugu but sought to endow the center for Igbo studies in his own state-Abia.

I recall that at one time when a prominent chief from Enugu state was the President general of Ohaneze Ndiigbo, I had been invited for tongue lashing for seeking establish in real terms the center in Abia. It was wondered why I did not deem it fit for such an establishment to be sited in my own Enugu state. My reply then was that it was unfortunate that we the Igbos were crying against marginalization by the Nigerian state while at the same time discriminating among ourselves.

The Centre for Igbo studies at the Abia state University at that time was the only such centre in Nigeria. It was established in 1988 as a community of scholars devoted to the study, documentation, promotion and preservation of all aspects of Igbo life and culture from the earliest times to the present. The activities of the center were intended not only to make a contribution to the world of learning, but more importantly to ensure the continuity of all positive aspects of the cultural attainments of the Igbos as a necessary couplement to Igbo survival in Nigeria and Africa in particular and the world at large.

The centre had evolved a comprehensive and admirably integrated multi-disciplinary strategy for the  achievement of its objectives. For this purpose, the work of the center was carried out through five units, each headed by a competent scholar. The units which were envisaged to have the status of schools were: research, publications, lectures, and seminars, documentation and performing arts.

The scholarly endeavors of these units in varying degrees focus on the history, philosophy, science, medicine, architecture, technology, anthropology, religion, politics, law, economy, etc. of the Igbo through micro and macro studies.

In its short term of existence up till that time, and in spite of constraints, particularly, those of space and finance, the centre had pursued the attainment of its goals with remarkable vigor and results. Consequently, it had already attracted attention from scholarly and other angles as a centre with promise for excellence, not only for Igbo studies but also for Africa/black studies.

The objectives of the endowment fund that the Njiko Igbo cultural organization planned for the centre were:

1. To house the centre in an adequate accommodation. The centre had been operating from a few rooms within the Humanities block of the Abia state university. The Endowment Fund was to be partly used to erect a befitting complex for the centre. This complex will necessarily provide for Auditoriums, libraries, museums, amphitheatre, offices, research rooms, photo units and so on.
2. To seek and unravel the roots and genealogy as well as civilization of the Igbos.
3. To document for posterity the cultures, arts, histories, traditions, and civilizations of Igbos.
4. To investigate, document  and project the life and times of positively exemplary Igbos and to finance documentary and feature films based on their lives and times and to also establish monuments in their memorials.

The Abia State University on account of this Endowment project initiated by the Njiko Igbo later sponsored Prof. M.A.Mkpa [who was then the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Admin] to the Conference of the World Igbo Congress that held at New Yorker Hotel, New York, And to the Igbo Communities in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, U.S.A. from August 29th to September 14th, 1997.

Like any other people the Igbos have their cultural traits, most prominent and outstanding of which is their love of democracy. According to Elizabeth Isichei [1976:21]:One of the things that struck the first western visitors to Igboland , was the extent to which democracy was truly practiced. For instance, reporting their visits to Igboland, Johnson [1982:547], said that he felt he was in a free land, among a free people. Poirier [1908:18] observed that true liberty existed in Igboland, though its name was not inscribed on any monument. Forde and Jones [1950:24] characterized Igbo political traditions as Ultra democratic. And Coleman [1958:336] put it as Concilar and democratic. Isichei [1976] rightly noted that: Igbo political institutions were designed to combine popular participation with weighting for experience and ability .Professor Kenneth Dike [1956:37] describes the Igbo political tradition as :Excess democracy.

Paradoxically, of all Nigerian people, the Igbo have probably changed the least while changing the most. While many of the formal elements of the social, religious, economic and political structure such as lineages, family groups, age grades and secret societies have been modified through culture contact, alternative choices and goals, achievement and competition, and lack of strong autocratic authority have survived and one part of the newly developed culture-Simon Ottenberg.

In view of the foregoing, it is surprising that those who wish to lead the Igbo race strive stupidly, I dare say to portray them selves as superhuman. Their wish is to dictate to the rest of us. They use their wealth and political positions either past or present to seek to bamboozle others into accepting them as gods. But in truth, even if you make them presidents for a thousands years, they can in no way improve the lot of Igbo for the simple reason that they do not understand the Igbo, that is the essence of being Igbo.

The powers that be in Nigeria today are holding the Igbo captive. The 1999 constitution which the nation today operates is skewed terribly against the Igbo and most of the rest of Nigeria wish to keep it that way. In keeping it essentially intact, they use Igbo sons and daughters .

Only a sovereign national conference can fundamentally restructure the nation in such a way that the Igbo can once again be a free people in a free land But what do you find? The Senate whose President is a non Igbo delegates the headship of the so called Constitutional review to an Igbo from Enugu state., by name Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who tells us that all we need is to review the constitution that we know to be a lie. At the federal House of Representatives, what do you have?. The Speaker who also is an Igbo also delegates the headship of the constitutional review process to another Igbo from Imo state by name Ikedioha , who also tells us that we do not need a national conference and that all that is necessary is to review the constitution. This wicked fallacy they maintain even while hundreds of their fellow brothers and sisters are daily murdered by religious fundamentalists in the trap called Nigeria.

The Njiko Igbo cultural organization seeks to amongst other things sensitize and mobilize Igbo at home and in the Diaspora to insist on nothing less than a Sovereign National Conference where the Nigerian state shall be renegotiated. A free and restructured Nigeria is a million times more important than having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.In other words: it is better to serve in haven than to rule in hell.

On the night of Monday 12th, July 1999, I held a brief discussion with Senator Arthur Nzeribe at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where on behalf of the Njiko Igbo I had pleaded with him to introduce two[2] bills in the National Assembly ,viz,[i]Bill extending the Obasanjo Government’s Probe to Independence period-1960, and [ii],bill on Reparation for Igbos for genocide and economic emasculation. The distinguished Senator requested that the Njiko Igbo suggestion be put in writing,   did so in a letter dated Wednesday 14th July, 1999.

It will be recalled that the Obasanjo Administration in 1999 said it wanted to probe human rights abuses in the country, when the local and international outcry against human rights abuses in the country made such a probe imperative. The  move was also in consonance with the trend all over the world that has severally been extended to such a level as to establish War Crimes Tribunals. The bill that the Njiko Igbo pleaded with Senator Arthur Nzeribe to put forward was one that as said before sought to extend the Obasanjo administration’s probe of human rights abuse in Nigeria to October 1st, 1960 when Nigeria gained independence.

The second section of the Njiko Igbo letter of 14th July 1999 states in quote:

BILL OF REPARATIONS FOR IGBOS AND EASTERN NIGERIANS FOR ECONOMIC EMASCULATION.

General Yakubu Gowon the former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who led Nigeria through the civil war[1967-1970]and uptill the overthrow of his government by General Murtala Mohammed recently went to Igboland and APOLOGISED  for the injustice done to Igbos during and following the persecution of this war.

It is a fact of history and on record that when that war ended which General Yakubu Gowon declared- NO VICTOR NO VANGUISHED, Igbos were paid a pittance of Twenty Pounds each in place of no matter how much they had in Nigerian banks before the outbreak of hostilities.

It is equally on record that that was immediately followed up with an Indigenisation Decree which ensured that other privileged Nigerians bought-up common vibrant Nigerian lucrative and money-spinning enterprises while their Igbo counterparts who had hitherto been economically emasculated and hamstrung watched helplessly.

It is also on record that landed properties of these same set of Nigerians [Igbos] were confiscated and still confiscated as of this 1999, and labeled abandoned in their own fatherland-country-Nigeria.

Almost everyone have lost count of how many times properties of Igbos have been wantonly destroyed and looted in almost every upheaval or riot or demonstration or celebration whether political or religious in numerous parts of the country, their only country Nigeria.

If indeed these Igbos qualify as Nigerians. If indeed they can be referred to as citizens and  NOT prisoners of war. If indeed that Civil War of 1967-1970 has indeed ended; If indeed no Nigerians are more Nigerians than others- then the aforelisted articles of economic emasculation of these set of Nigerians by other Nigerians have to be revisited.

In my own humble opinion as a patriotic and law abiding Nigerian who wishes Nigeria well and who is determined that Nigeria rises to take her rightful place in the comity of nations as an equitable, just, democratic and development conscious state, then it is imperative that the National Assembly pass a bill for the establishment of a Committee to probe, investigate and quantify the financial value of these economic dis empowerments of Igbos and the Federal Government of Nigeria should proceed without any delays to pay the necessary reparations to the Igbos.

Glory be to Almighty Allah in the high heavens who is witness to all that have ever happened in the universe, in the world and in Nigeria and who knows all that will happen in the future. Who knows as we do that it was at the hands of General Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo that the Biafran resistance collapsed. Who has made it possible for this same General to be the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today. Indeed, General Olusegun Obasanjo is a competent witness by all standards to all that is alluded to have happened and is the competent President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today to order and supervise the Reparation for Igbos for the well known Economic Emasculation.

The orginal NJIKO IGBO cannot be said to have been dormant for too long, warranting someone else like the former abia state Governor to seek to take it over as the Sunday Independent newspaper of March 28,2010 ran a full page advertisement by the Njiko Igbo on its page 5, so also did the Sunday Champion of the same date, on its page 9. Both advertisements were entitled: The Sins of Prof. Maurice Iwu:The Facts and Fictions.

I  recall that when Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became the President of Nigeria, I had written him a letter on behalf of the African Renaissance Party[ARP], stating that the party would support him on the condition that he commits himself to a National Conference and to bringing about a mass participatory system of democracy.This is because the party which I also founded is committed to the same set of principles a the NJIKO IGBO.

Yahaya Ezeemoo G.K. Ndu
President
Njiko Igbo cultural organization