of thought from the zone ended their meeting in Enugu on Sunday with a declaration that Ndigbo were for a “united Nigeria.”
A communique
issued at the meeting, read by the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum,
Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, stated that the Igbo leaders concluded that
the Igbo were in “full support” of a united Nigeria.
The
South-East stakeholders’ meeting, which held at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu,
commenced on Saturday night and ended in the early hours of Sunday.
The regional
leaders also called on the Federal Government to start the process of
restructuring the country without delay.
Our
correspondent learnt that issues surrounding the agitation for Biafra,
including the three-month ultimatum to quit, given to Igbo in the northern part
of the country by some youth groups, informed the decision to convene the
meeting.
The
governors of the five South-East states were in attendance as well as all the
National Assembly members from the zone, led by the Deputy Senate President,
Ike Ekweremadu, and the Chairman of South-East Caucus of the National Assembly,
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
The leadership
of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by the President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, was
also at the meeting.
The Igbo
leaders, in the same vein, insisted on the restructuring of the country, and
asked the Federal Government to begin the process of actualising the
restructuring of the nation within a reasonable time frame.
They also
demanded the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 national
conference.
Part of the
communique read, “Ndigbo are in full support of a united Nigeria, where peace,
love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of opportunities are paramount,
regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.
“We condemn
all hate speeches and misconduct from any segment of the country.
“Igbo
leaders lend their full support to the restructuring of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria on the platform of fairness and equity.
“We
therefore call on the Federal Government and all Nigerian leaders to commence a
process of dialogue among Nigerians on the modalities of achieving this pressing
question within a reasonable time frame.
“Ndigbo
supports the report of the National Conference of 2014 and we urge the Federal
Government to set up structures that will enable the implementation of the same
within a reasonable time.”
The Igbo leaders
at the meeting, also resolved to “constitute official organ” that would,
henceforth, speak on behalf of the Igbo.
“The
South-East governors, members of the National Assembly, leadership from the
South-East and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall henceforth constitute
the official organs that shall speak on behalf of the Ndigbo.
“South-East
leaders, in consultation with other parts of the country, will set up a
committee to engage the Federal Government on all issues that concern Ndigbo,”
the communique added.
In the same
vein, the Igbo leaders stated that they were taking steps to ensure the safety
of the lives and property of the Igbo in all parts of Nigeria.
They also
guaranteed the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians living in the
South-East.
Religious
and traditional leaders at the meeting include the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka
Diocese, Prof. Godfrey Onah; the Enugu Archbishop of the Anglican Communion,
Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma; and Chairman,
South-East Traditional Rulers Council/Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe.
Others at
the meeting are a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; a former Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; a former Governor of Ebonyi
State, Senator Sam Egwu; National Chairman, United Progressive Party, Chief
Chekwas Okorie; a former power minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji; a former Chief of
General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.), and a former Minister of Women
Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih.
MASSOB
accuses Igbo leaders of betrayal
MASSOB
leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, who spoke for the secessionist group, described
the decisions reached at the Enugu meeting as “insensitive.”
He stressed
that the outcome of the meeting would not derail the struggle for realisation
of Biafra, saying the position of the leaders could only postpone the
“inevitable.”
Madu stated,
“The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra berates
Igbo religious, traditional, political and opinion leaders for their nonchalant
and insensitive attitude towards the current agitation for Biafra.
“Why is it
that whenever these self-acclaimed Igbo leaders meet among themselves or with
the Nigerian Presidency, they always sideline the primary and principal reasons
and cause of the Biafra agitation?
“Yesterday’s
meeting of Igbo leaders in Enugu is tactically helping the Nigerian government
in postponing the explosion of the inevitable and unstoppable ticking time bomb
which Nigeria is comfortably sitting on.
“Their
decisions are not the true minds and positions of the people of Biafra – we
want Biafra and nothing but Biafra.
“Nigeria
must disintegrate; her faulty foundation has broken beyond repair.
“Majority of
Igbo leaders have brazenly betrayed Igbo cause and interests in Nigeria.
“We wish to
inform Ndigbo that the reawakening of the spirit and consciousness of Biafra
among the people can never be demoralised again – the Biafra revolutionary
struggle can no longer be betrayed by personal or group interests.”
The MASSOB
leader expressed regrets that the Igbo elite, who, according to him, had gained
a lot from the pro-Biafra agitation, did not appreciate the activists.
“In this
struggle, numerous sacrifices have been made, supreme prices have been paid.
“We have
been tortured, mesmerised, killed and incarcerated for the sake of Biafra and
the glory of Ndigbo, yet we are neglected, abused and abandoned by people who
benefit from our exploits,” he said
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