USA Africa Dialogue Series - POINT-COUNTERPOINT: The South-East, the North, GEJ and 2015

 

 

Communique:  From Collaborative Meeting and Deliberations

Between IWA and INC

 

 

 "It is ridiculous for any group of people to promise us the Presidency of Nigeria in 2015 as if it is their birthright to share the national offices in a country all of us can rightly and equally claim as ours. Are we not part of this country called Nigeria? Why should some group come out and tell us that if we vote for them now, power will be handed over to us in 2015? Why should someone promise us something that is not his? Nigerian Presidency must be handed over to South East in 2015.  Anything short of that will place the Igbos in a morally justifiable position to fight for our rights within the Nigeria polity. "

 

Why we want Northern President –ABC Nwosu

"I think the question should rather be directed at those who are fighting for a cause that will be detrimental to the political wellbeing of their people. The question should be addressed to those who want to mortgage the future of the youths like you over a pot of porridge because 2015 is the year when Ndigbo either float or are permanently submerged in Nigerian politics. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Once zoning is altered, Ndigbo might find it difficult to take the presidency.  Ndigbo should be wise and wake up.  That is my interest. We should not be fooled with appointments. We should realize that without zoning we are going to be the biggest loser because virtually every other group has tasted the presidency except us. Why should the tune of the music change now that it is our turn? If we help President Jonathan to jettison the zoning arrangement, we should as well forget the presidency in 2015, nothing more, nothing less. If you are looking for evidence of selfishness, you should take another look at the other camp; the average Igbo man knows that ours is a noble cause."

 

 

 

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Communique:  From Collaborative Meeting and Deliberations Between IWA and INC

 

 

Greetings to all whom this message shall reach, AS IWA LEADS BY EXAMPLES!!
 
On Friday, November 19, 2011, the Igbo World Assembly represented by its Chairman Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and Reverend Ukwamedia Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Igbo States in America's (CISA) Elder and Trustee Council, and other members, held a two hour strategic meeting at the Los-Angeles Hilton hotel near the LAX with the very distinguished A.W. Obianime, the President General of Ijaw National Congress (INC). 

        INC leaders were in Los Angeles for the funeral service of the late Mrs. George, the wife of the former Rivers State Governor, Chief Ada George, who was a patient of Dr Anakwenze.  Both parties - IWA and INC agreed to meet with their respective leadership to discuss the way forward for Nigeria. 

            In a follow up meeting on Friday, 11-26-10, IWA, represented by Dr. Anakwenze, and CISA represented by Prince Chris Ikeanyi, Secretary-General, and Reverend UKwamedia, DSG Elder and Trustee Council, paid a condolence visit to Ex-Governor Ada George. During the visit, the former governor commended the renewed efforts by IWA and CISA to build a post-war alliance between Ndigbo and Ijaws. He mentioned the pioneering role he took as a governor when he worked with his governor-colleagues from the Old Eastern region – Chief Evans Enweren of Imo State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo of Enugu State and Dr. Ezeife of Anambra State, to rebuild the relationship between the Igbos and Ijaws, as well as to demystify the past misgivings and misunderstanding between the ethnic groups.  Governor George applauded the efforts of the IWA and CISA and said IWA's endorsement of President Jonathan was a step in the right direction. The Governor wished IWA well and extended a hand of friendship to the organization in its efforts to bring Ndigbo and Ijaws to their pre-war amicable relationship. 

        The meetings acknowledged the efforts of various groups to advance the Nigerian agenda and stressed the importance of forging a common platform and the need for NdiIgbo and Ijaws to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner.  We discussed how to achieve our collective objectives and speak with one accord as a way of moving Nigeria forward for the benefit of all Nigerians. IWA resolved to establish mega bandwidth communication channels with the various Nigerian stakeholders' groups and to add to our fast growing stable of active collaborators. 

         Not only has IWA's collaborative tentacle spread throughout Nigeria to include Ijaws and other consequential Nigerian groups, it is an ongoing effort. IWA has also identified and is forging collaborative links with various apex Nigerian groups in the rest of the world. IWA is also exploring common grounds with pro democracy groups around the world and you will be apprised of developments in that crucial sector. 

         More specifically we discussed, how to further improve and revive Ijaw and Igbo relations, particularly the long and ancient socio-cultural history of intermarriages and genealogical relationship between the groups, and how it should be harnessed for the good of all. IWA and INC discussed how to collaborate and solidify our joint efforts in support of President Jonathan for 2011 elections and Ndi-Igbo for Presidency of Nigeria in 2015. We reaffirmed that zoning in Nigeria should be from South South to South East geopolitical zones and not from the colonial North and South. We discussed the infrastructural underdevelopment of some parts of the countries and how to rectify it.  We discussed the need for a renewed meeting of the Nigerian Ethnic Nationalities and how to use it to make Nigeria a strong and cohesive country that will benefit all Nigerian. A follow up meeting between IWA and INC leaders is planned for December 2010 in Nigeria. 

      The Igbo World Assembly (IWA) is the Umbrella Organization that represents the Apex National Organizations in various countries of the world such as USA, UK, France, Spain, Finland, Italy, Netherland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Sweden and Canada. The Igbo World Assembly (IWA) works very closely and recognizes Ohaneze Ndigbo as the authentic and collective mouthpiece of Ndigbo World Wide. 

        The Igbo World Assembly is the only bona fide, inter-continental, Igbo Advocacy group of its kind founded on May 19, 2008, and represents a committed attempt to truly perfect a Global Igbo Union.  IWA is founded on the twin principles of Njikoka and Igba Izu (synergy and collaboration), and we are committed to working with, collaborating with, partnering with all genuine Igbo political, economic, and social expression vehicles. By presenting a platform to leverage Igbos in the Diaspora as a strategic partner on Igbo issues, we aim to advance the Igbo agenda as never before done in our post-war history.
IWA wants to use that opportunity to restate its previously held positions: 

       IWA also supports the renewed dialogue between Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo and Ijaw National Congress (INC). We need to work together on matters of common interest, on how to reinforce the friendship and brotherliness between the Ijaw nation and Igbo nation. The Ijaws and the Igbos have been neighbors for thousands of years, and the present generation must continue to fuel that flame of friendship that existed in the past. IWA and Ohaneze Ndigbo intend to extend the same kind of cooperation and understanding to other ethnic units in Nigeria. Marching and working together, IWA intends to fashion a detribalized nation that must focus on what brings us together, not apart. 

      IWA has heard speculations and suggestions that Ndi-Igbo should wait to occupy the Presidency in 2015. "Why must we wait until 2015?  It was detrimental to Ndigbo to depend on promises by those who had a knack for continually shifting the goal post.  A bird at hand was worth a million in the wild. Ndigbo must be ready to win the Presidency rather than wait to be handed the exalted position by those that always use Ndi-Igbo as a pawn in a chess game. Ndi-Igbo are the largest ethnic group in Africa and the so called Ndi-Igbo leaders should stop playing second fiddle in Nigerian politics. Those individuals, who are reaching agreement with outsiders for Igbo 2015 Presidency, are doing so without the permission of Ndi-Igbo. They are speaking only on behalf of themselves as individuals because they are still living in the past. Only Ohanaeze Ndigbo can speak for Ndi-Igbo as a national group. 

       It is ridiculous for any group of people to promise us the Presidency of Nigeria in 2015 as if it is their birthright to share the national offices in a country all of us can rightly and equally claim as ours. Are we not part of this country called Nigeria? Why should some group come out and tell us that if we vote for them now, power will be handed over to us in 2015? Why should someone promise us something that is not his? Nigerian Presidency must be handed over to South East in 2015.  Anything short of that will place the Igbos in a morally justifiable position to fight for our rights within the Nigeria polity. 

       On September 1 2010, Igbo World Assembly (IWA), the Global Union that represents all the Igbo organizations in the Diaspora endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the 2011 Presidential election. This endorsement took place after a long, thoughtful, and vibrant deliberations on the future of Nigeria, the sustenance of Nigeria's nascent democracy and the forthcoming 2011 general elections in Nigeria, the IWA general assembly reached a consensus that President Goodluck and his Vice President Namadi Sambo are the most suitable candidates for the presidency should they decide to run. IWA based its decision on the following salient reasons:

First, IWA believes in the incontrovertible position of the Nigerian constitution that gives full rights to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, above all other considerations, to aspire to the position of president at the 2011 elections, more so as the South-south zone, in spite of its enormous contributions to Nigeria's GDP, is yet to produce a President or Head of State in the fifty (50) years of Nigeria's existence as a sovereign nation. IWA rejects the nauseating indignity of political exclusion because of one's ethnic background.  Where is it stated in the Nigerian constitution that a freeborn, qualified Nigerian cannot contest for the highest office in the country because of his or her geographical origin?

IWA noted that since Yar'Adua was on a joint ticket with Jonathan, it becomes logical that since the boss was no longer in position to complete the tenure, his deputy should do so.

IWA reasons that with the death of the pilot (Yar'Adua), the co-pilot (Jonathan) who started the long journey with the pilot and knows the terrain very well should continue and complete the journey.

Second, IWA believes that judging from any objective measures that President Jonathan is super qualified to lead Nigeria. He possesses all the requisite qualifications, academic credentials, character and integrity to lead a nation that so desperately needs a role model in words, actions and deeds. Having served as the governor of one of the major oil producing states in Nigeria with ample opportunities to enrich himself with ill-gotten wealth, President Jonathan resisted the corruption, which is synonymous with success in Nigerian politics, and maintained his high morale standards and tenacious adherence to anti-corruption, fairness, transparency, rule of law and orderliness in Nigeria.

Third, in President Jonathan, Nigeria is blessed to have a polished gentleman with a clean record both at home and abroad. He is so humble and down to earth and his demeanor radiates wisdom and compassion. Jonathan is a detribalized Nigerian who appeals to every ethnic group in the country on the basis of his humble background, endearing utterances and outstanding peoples' skills. He is calm, confident, measured and in complete control of every situation.

Fourth, in comparison with other aspiring presidential candidates, President Jonathan looks quite different from what a typical Nigerian politician appears to be. He did not meet the other hidden requirements like some other presidential candidates who have proven to be good looters and ardent thieves. However, he possesses the skills needed for the next leader of a re-branded Nigeria – top notch education, admirable and rich life experiences as someone who has led the life as an average Nigerian, and a fervent desire to effect positive changes in Nigeria.

Fifth, President Jonathan has proven that he can work with all the governors in the country regardless of their party affiliations. In other words, he considers himself the president of all Nigerians, not the president of PDP. He reaches out to all states and works hard for the best interest of all Nigerians. A great testimony to this claim was the leadership he showed during the Anambra State Gubernatorial election in February 2010. 

     Other notable accomplishments by President Jonathan in just a few months of his presidency include the stabilization of naira in spite of the current global recession, reduced and affordable price of gas, improved electricity in the entire country, and the on-going aggressive voter registration to ensure free and fair elections next year.

Most importantly, President Jonathan promised to give Nigerians credible electoral reforms with a free, fair election, which he began by appointing a world-acclaimed social crusader and defender of equity, honesty, and integrity, Professor Attahiru Jega as the country's new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is a step in the right direction. 

       In reaching its decision, the leadership of IWA collated, deliberated upon, studied, analyzed and assessed the views of the people in the Diaspora and maintained that President Jonathan is the right man for the job. Having outlined the fine qualities of President Jonathan and with well-reasoned arguments for his suitability for the job, IWA wishes to go on record in condemning apparent shortsightedness that exists in Nigeria polity. 

      IWA reiterated its supports of Ohaneze Ndigbo's position on the zoning of political offices among the six geo-political zones. Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, the apex Igbo cultural organization, believes that limiting zoning to North and South arrangement is grossly unfair to other small ethnic regions in Nigeria. The current unwritten, but fully enforced power sharing between North and South has marginalized smaller ethnic regions in Nigeria. Some Indigenes from South-south have begun to question their existence in a country where they are continually deprived of their fair share. 

       IWA has noted even the people from the entire South region have serious reason to question the inequitable rotation of the leadership of the country. Out of fifty years of Nigeria's existence as a sovereign nation, the North has ruled for a total of thirty-eight years, allowing only twelve years for the South. Is this how democracy is designed to work? IWA further believes that if and when zoning rotation revolves among the six geo-political zones, the marginalized zones of South-south, South-east and a few other zones that have not tasted the presidency yet, should move to the front of the line for their turns. 

     To ensure equality and fairness among the zones, IWA supports Ohanaeze Ndigbo's position on State creation as one way to level the playing field. A situation where one zone has seven states, many have six and only one has five is totally unacceptable.  IWA insists on equitable number of states within each geo-political zone hence our call for new state creation in some regions. IWA is calling on all Nigerians of all political, social and religious persuasions to put the unity of Nigeria above any one party agenda, and rally around President Jonathan as he embarks on the unenviable job of leading our beloved country, Nigeria.
 

Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze                                                                       
Chairman, IWA (U.S.A)  

Oliver Nwankor
Sec. General [Netherland]                                                                                       

 

Maazi Afamefuna Anawana
Head, Media and Public Relation Institute (U.K)
 
Tony Otoiheoma Egbe
DSG, Media & Publicity Relation Institute [USA]
 
 
IMPORTANT IWA CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES
Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze   E-mail:anak@verizon.net Ph: 310-993-8053/ 310-544-2711 (USA)

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THE SUN

 

Why we want Northern President –ABC Nwosu

By PETER AGBA KALU

Thursday, December 02, 2010

The first mistake you will make about him is to rate him alongside the average Nigerian politician. Unlike the average politician, he comes across as a honest, sincerely direct, down to earth humble and an understanding person.

 

He might be a professor, but lacks the trickish, authoritative and deceptive styles that are clothed in arrogance of the next door politician. I try to corner him to draw him into the mud throwing over the vexed issue of Ohanaeze endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for 2011, but it was not in his nature, he danced away from it and sincerely reminded me that his crusade is not personal. "Amb. Ralph Uwechue is an intellectual who sincerely loves the Igbo". He made reference to his work "REFLECTIONS ON THE NIGERIAN CIVIL WAR: FACING THE FUTURE" to portray his point. "Where such a highly respected and intelligent Igbo leader lost it is what I cannot pin-point''. He thundered.

 

I came out from my meeting with him with one good impression, his main crusade is some how being overshadowed with something else- "Zoning" – I think in actual fact, he is fighting for Igbo Presidency and he sincerely believes that the way that dream will be materialized is through zoning. He may be right, he may be wrong, but in all sincerity, he sees zoning as the Igbo man's direct ticket to the presidency without which they are doomed politically. In all of these, I came to realize that Prof. Anya Oko Anya, Senator Ken Nnamani, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Obinna Uzo, Dr. Sam Egwu, Ambs. Ralph Uwaechue and Nduka Eye and several other Igbo leaders all meant well for the Igbo man. The only difference is the mode of approach which each group feels is the best. Different opinions, different ideals, one goal-FULL STOP. Call it the republican nature of the Igbo man, to me, one thing is sure: democracy is working at its best in Igboland.

 

Welcome to the world of Prof. ABC Nwosu whose lifestyle is as simple as his initials.

Prof, it is common to believe in Nigeria that politicians will not do anything without an ulterior motive. With due respect sir, what is there for you and your group from South-East who are championing northern presidency?

Our interest? … (Long silence)… What a question  (another silence) … At this age? What am I looking for (speaking aloud)? How do I answer you that question? I think you should visit 30 Edinburgh Rd , Enugu where we have the headquarters of Igbo Political Forum (IPF) and see our motto which is boldly written on the sign-post; it reads "NO friend, No foe". The sing-post and the organization have existed long before the emergence of President Jonathan. It is all about Igbo interest, what is good for the Igbo man is my interest.

 

I think the question should rather be directed at those who are fighting for a cause that will be detrimental to the political wellbeing of their people. The question should be addressed to those who want to mortgage the future of the youths like you over a pot of porridge because 2015 is the year when Ndigbo either float or are permanently submerged in Nigerian politics. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Once zoning is altered, Ndigbo might find it difficult to take the presidency.  Ndigbo should be wise and wake up.

 

That is my interest. We should not be fooled with appointments. We should realize that without zoning we are going to be the biggest loser because virtually every other group has tasted the presidency except us. Why should the tune of the music change now that it is our turn? If we help President Jonathan to jettison the zoning arrangement, we should as well forget the presidency in 2015, nothing more, nothing less. If you are looking for evidence of selfishness, you should take another look at the other camp; the average Igbo man knows that ours is a noble cause.

 

As a matter of fact, IPF comprises of people from different campaign organizations, the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organization offered to attend our meetings. But when they found out that Igbo presidency 2015 was the main interest of IPF, they pulled out.

 

You are quarrelling with Uwaechue for endorsing Jonathan, but the aborted Owerri Summit was meant to endorse a northern candidate. Where is your justification?

Point of correction, the Owerri Summit was not meant and never intended to endorse any candidate. In fact, there are no candidates yet until the parties are done with their primaries. Unknown to many, the Owerri Summit was preceded by a pre-summit meeting hosted by His Excellence Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra State   at the Anambra State lodge Abuja . Papers were presented by Senator Ben Obi, Chief Jim Nwobodo, and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife among others.  Chief Nnia Nwodo who moderated President Jonathan's declaration was present at the pre-summit meeting to announce the Owerri summit meeting among others.

 

(Cuts him off) But sir, along the line, your group, the IPF, had a secret meeting and reached an understanding with some northern political force?

The IPF meeting with the Northern elders was an open meeting at the Yar'Adua centre Abuja …

(Cuts off) Which day was that?

 

I think it was on the 10th of August. It was not a meeting with IBB, Saraki, Gusau or Atiku's groups. It was meeting with all three geo-political zones of the North, under the chairmanship of Adamu Ciroma at which IBB, Atiku, Ango Abdulahi, Audu Ogbeh; Iyo Yahaya Kwande, Tanko Yakassai and others were present.

The list of attendance and the communiqué was published in the national dailies.

So, as you can see, the IPF has operated in the open and most transparent manner on what it considers to be on the Igbo in particular and generally on the nation's interest.

 

When you attend a meeting chaired by Adamu Ciroma who do you blame but yourself if partisan fingers are being pointed at you which led to the locking of the hall?

The Owerri meeting where IPF was locked out of Concord Hotel after it has already paid One hundred thousand Naira (N100, 000) for the use of the Sam Mbakwe Hall was also widely published and was open to every Igbo leader to attend. The open meeting that later took place at the premises of Concord hotel included former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Senate President Chief Ken Nnamani, former Governor of old Anambra State Chief Jim Nwobodo former Governor of Ebonyi State and immediate past Minister of Education Dr. Sam Egwu, former Governor of Imo State and immediate past Minster of Commerce and Industries, Chief Achike Udenwa, Senator Ben Obi, former Ministers Prof ABC Nwosu, Dumbem Onyia, Chinwe Obaji and former CBN Governor Prof. Soludo among several others.  The communiqué of the meeting was self explicit on insisting on Igbo presidency in the year 2015. It was not to endorse a candidate and it did not endorse a candidate.

 

You endorsed a candidate or not. So far, from all you have said, one thing has become crystal clear: You are Pro-North. The IPF was pro-North?

The IPF is not pro-North; it is pro-Zoning as an orderly way of acquiring power both for the majority and minority ethnic group. And I think that is where a lot of people are missing the point, we are not pro-north. IPF is pro-zoning because zoning the 6 political zones is the core issue in the Igbo agenda. And anything that kills zoning and rotation of power is not in Igbo interest.

 

Like I wrote in my widely published reply to the position of Ohaneze President-General on the presidential election and zoning. The memorandum submitted by Ndigbo on 8th February 1994 to the National Constitutional Conference stated explicitly that it has to be admitted that the federation upon which Nigeria was born and founded no longer exists. The memorandum was submitted on behalf of all Igbo-speaking people of Nigeria and was signed by Chief Iwuanyanwu, Senator Ellah, Dr. Anagha Ezeikpe, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr.Pius Okigbo, and Chief C.C.Onoh among several others. The memorandum emerged after a 2-day pan Igbo conference (MKPOKO IGBO) at Enugu and six months of meetings under the chairmanship of P.N.C. Okigbo. It was endorsed by the Ohaneze General Assembly at which Ndigbo in Diaspora were present and also sent in written comments. You see my point.

 

The memorandum contained five key elements which are – Restructuring of the Nigerian polity; Rotational Presidency; Restructuring of the Armed Forces and Police; Revenue Generation Sharing; and Judiciary Reforms. I served as the secretary of the committee.

The Igbo memorandum was specifically explicit on the issue of rotational president among the 6 political zones. And since then there has not been any other Igbo position on the issue of zoning to my knowledge. It is not to the advantage of the Igbo for her few leaders to wake up at mid-night to change what was done by her respected leaders in the broad day light. Those who are categorizing the conflict between the IPF and Ohaneze on zoning as being pro-north and pro-south are missing the point. IPF is saying that the application of zoning produced the then Vice President, now President Goodluck Jonathan.

 

As a result, the IPF maintains that in 2015 Ndigbo should for several reasons produce the president. IPF insists that this is the Igbo interests and that it must be pursued in the same manner and seriousness that the Ijaws are pursuing the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, in the same manner that the north are pursuing the completion of their tenure. It is absurd and undesirable for Ndi Igbo to abandon the Igbo presidency in 2015 in their eagerness to champion the cause of their Ijaw brother from the defunct eastern region, even when their Ijaw brothers are not ready to sit down at a round table with the Igbo to discuss the terms of their strategic partnership.

 

All your efforts are based on promissory notes from the North as usual, don't you think it wall bounce on payment day?

I had rather go for the man who made a promise than for a man who even under pressure refuses to commit himself to anything. The man who made you a promise owes you something while the one who dances around it and refuses to get himself committed is owing you nothing.

As a matter of fact, once zoning is respected in 2011, it would be like an unwritten constitution and nobody would want to violate it. It would give room for political advancement and harmony because every other zone will come together to give support to the zone that it is their turn to produce the president.

 

At least the north have committed themselves to something and IPF have made it open, till date Ohaneze has refused to make public the terms of their understanding between Ohaneze and Ijaw National Congress, except that INJ asked Ndigbo to support Jonathan, no more.  President Jonathan has also been completely silent on the matter of tenure regarding whether there will be vacancy in 2015 and who would succeed him thereafter. This is the reason why IPF refuses to indulge in wishful thinking.

 

The IPF is very deeply troubled and concerned over the current statues of Ndigbo in Nigeria today. Ndigbo are not President, we are not Vice President, NO.3, we are not president of the senate nor the speaker. These are the four national power positions and Ndigbo are nothing. In 2011, if Ndigbo vote for Jonathan they would again not be number one or number two and it is not clear whether they would be number three or four. So by enduring and following Jonathan, Ndigbo shall continue to be nothing.

 

But if Ndigbo should vote for a northerner consensus candidate in 2011, they shall automatically be number two with a clear possibility of being number one in 2015. This is what the current argument is all about, no more no less.

It pains the IPF that no Igbo person belongs to the executive club of former presidents of Nigeria and this is glaring after every National Council of State meeting. The IPF will continue to resist entering into any alternative with any Igbo person on this matter. It shall merely state its case and Ndigbo should go in any direction they desire.
 
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/dec/02/national-02-12-2010-006.htm

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ALUKO COMMENTARY

 

 

United in cause, divided by strategy and tactics....

 

We shall see......

 

 

Bolaji Aluko

 

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