Contrary to the widely held impression that Ndigbo of the south east
geopolitical zone were craving for secession from Nigeria, the people
have said they would remain in a united Nigeria.
They posited that their fore-fathers fought for independence of
Nigerian, stressing that their stake in the Nigerian project was higher
just as they would not leave their “house”.
The people’s resolve which was made known through the Youth Council
of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural body of all Igbos worldwide
came on the heels of lingering protests for the realization of Biafra
Republic and the detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi
Kanu by the federal government.
At a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Youth Council
represented by its national president Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the
Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike amongst others appealed to
president Mohammadu Buhari to consider the pleas of the people and
release Kanu from detention to the elders of the land to further caution
him.
Giving reasons for the agitation, the Ohaneze leaders stated that the
south east and south south had suffered political and infrastructural
neglects, advising that the rehabilitation of moribund coal companies,
dilapidated roads and job creation would take the minds of the people
away from protests.
Reading the speech jointly signed by them, the national president
advocated referendum and dialogue as most legitimate ways universally
acknowledged to achieve any desired objectives instead of protests.
They revealed that in the spirit of oneness, they have reached out to
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Saa”d 111, Emir of Kano, Alhaji
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and prominent Obas in the south west to further
broker peace among the ethic nationalities.
While cautioning Kanu against hate broadcast, Isiguzoro pledged that
the development would be history once the detainee was released to the
leaders of Ohaneze.
He also warned the security agents against using live bullets and ammunitions to disperse protesters.
He said: “You will recall that for some months now, there have been
raging protests in the south east and south south over the detention of
the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. These protests have led to
the death of some protesters in Anambra, Abia and other states. We are
saddened by these avoidable deaths.
“We as the youth of Ndigbo will be shirking in our responsibility and
duty if we fail to state our position, opinion and suggestions on the
way forward to this burning issue.
“In the first place, we believe in a united Nigeria anchored on
justice and equity. We believe that all problems and issue in Nigeria
can be solved through dialogue and redoubtable discussion.
“We are conscious of the poverty and youth unemployment ravaging the
country and the south east in particular. We are also aware of her
infrastructural challenges and deficiencies in igboland. These may have
contributed to the rage for a neo-Biafra as an escapee route.
“But it is our considered opinion that there is now an element of
fame and fortune seeking in the while exercise. The euphoria and frenzy
in the whole issue can be rechanneled to an insistence for equity, level
playing field and justice for all Nigerians.
“Ndigbo have a lot of stake in Nigeria. In fact, they have the
largest stake in Nigeria. Their forebears fought for the independence of
Nigeria. In fact, Igbos are Nigeria’s landlord and a landlord cannot
leave his house for tenants. Who is more Nigerian than Igbos who
constitute the second largest group after the indigenous people of every
state in Nigeria? How can we swim in Imo River rather than Atlantic
Ocean? Do we realize that more than eighty percent of Igbo investments
are outside Igbo land?
“However, we also hold the federal government responsible for not
doing enough for our youths. If there is strong federal presence in the
zone, our youths will see Biafra as an alternative and fortune and fame
seekers will not capitalize on that to hoodwink our gullible youths.
“We therefore want to appeal to the federal government to release
Nnamdi Kanu. However, he (Kanu) should not continue with hate or
inciting broadcast from Radio Biafra if he is released. There is now a
civilized way of even seeking for self determination and that is
referendum. It is a better option that hate broadcast and protest.
“We call on security agents not to use force and live bullets in
tackling the challenges in the south east and south South. Dialogue
remains the best option.”
The Council did not also spare some Igbo leaders who they said were shortchanging the people of the south east at the Centre.
“What efforts have pro-Biafran protesters made to inquire how our
political office holders spend the money that accrue to Igboland from
the center? We believe most of our problems are caused by our political
leaders who often pocket the money that accrue to our area”, he said.
Reminded that Nigerian constitution did not recognize referendum, the
leaders urged the National Assembly to start the process of amending
the constituent to accommodate it, pointing that they resorted to
referendum having seen it was the most civilized way of resolving
dispute such as secession.
“Referendum is a civilized way. Wether it is in our constitution or
not, it is most reasonable way of approaching the issue. We urge the
national assembly to accommodate referendum in the constitution”, the
Council said.
No comments:
Post a Comment