all of you on your most deserving but hard earned victory at the
polls. I thank God for finding you worthy to occupy this position of
responsibility and pray for wisdom and good health to enable you
succeed in this national assignment.
It is very obvious that by this victory, you have been elevated to a
position of honour and political leadership of both the Igbo nation
and Nigeria as a whole. It is by this recognition that I wish to draw
your kind attention to some critical issues which I consider pertinent
to the political and economic development of Nd'Igbo in this new
dispensation.
I believe that the political environment in Nigeria today has not only
placed Nd'Igbo at a cross-road but at the same time at a political
strategic advantage depending on how we play our card. There is no
doubt that today the Igbo nation has become a powerful bloc that can
influence, if well managed, the direction of political and economic
activities in Nigeria to the advantage of our people in particular and
Nigeria in general. You therefore need to be very creative in thinking
and exhibit a high sense of political sagacity in order to discover
the best route and a new role that will re-launch us into political
reckoning in this new dispensation. I believe that the first test of
this new political alignment shall be consummated with your role in
the upcoming election of the Leadership of the 8th National Assembly.
Your Excellences, I wish to refresh your memories with the following
facts and set an agenda which to my mind represents the wishes and
aspiration of the Igbo people. This will engender your success as well
as enable you remain focused and committed to the high expectations of
our people.
1.Unity of Purpose
At the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1999, the position of the
Senate President was zoned to the Southeast by the PDP government.
Either by fate or design, Nd'Igbo produced five senate presidents
within the eight years of the Obasanjo presidency. This was largely
seen as lack of coordination and political immaturity on the part of
the Igbo leaders. Today's circumstance presents a unique opportunity
for us to re-write our own history and correct the negative impression
about the lack of unity of purpose by the Igbo. By bringing yourselves
together to present a bloc vote at all times, you will greatly
increase your value and earn deep respect from your colleagues. This
is the best way to go in order to achieve more for our people.
2.Igbo Presidency
The Southeast remains the most marginalised in terms of power sharing
in our country today. We are the only zone that is yet to produce the
president of Nigeria, yet, we have demonstrated our belief and
commitment to Nigeria through our sojourn and investments in other
parts of the country more than any other zone.Nd'Igbo has indeed paid
their dues and sincerely deserves the support of other zones to
actualise the Igbo presidency. The way and manner you as the Igbo
political leaders of today repackage the Igbo nation politically will
go a long way to keep the project alive and achievable within the
shortest time possible.
3.'Ethnophobia'
Nd'Igbo has made enormous economic investment in Nigeria majority of
which are located outside the Igbo land. As a result, we have the
utmost reason to work for the sustenance of peace and unity of
Nigeria. It is often said that you put your heart where your money is.
Most people have condemned the recent xenophobia attack in South
Africa but within our country lies a similar hatred and systemic
repressive agenda against a particular ethnic group, what I call
'ethnophobia' – the hate and attack on an ethnic group in her own
country. That the Igbo are target of ethnophobia is not debatable
considering the number of death and looting of Igbo property and
investment recorded in different parts of Nigeria at every imaginable
opportunity for violence. Also, a new dimension of hate speeches
against the Igbo by prominent citizens from other parts of the
countryis being introduced into this deliberate extermination
campaign. You have a duty to fight for the protection of the life,
investment and property of Nd'Igbo wherever they live in Nigeria.
Oil & Gas
Abia and Imo states are oil producing states and currently part of the
NDDC. There is the need to examine the NDDC projects with a view to
determining whether these Igbo states are shortchanged in terms of
projects allocation and execution.
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