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PNF USA, INC. P.O. BOX 192236, DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 USA
PRESS RELEASE Wednesday, January 8, 2003
PNF USA, INC. COMMENDS THE EFFORT OF DR. ALEX EKWUEME IN THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED PDP PRIMARIES
Pan Ndi-Igbo Foundation USA, Inc. (PNF USA, INC) is hereby strongly commending the effort of Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme in the recently concluded PDP primaries. PNF USA, Inc. cautions that the PDP primaries should not be mistaken for the general election. Our cause does not end with the conclusion of the 2003 PDP presidential primary. There will be other presidential candidates for the general election from other parties. We have a larger cause than Igbo Presidency under PDP. Dr. Ekwueme�s candidacy for the PDP presidential primary was not a futile exercise as others would want us to believe. Ndi Igbo should not panic!
In the same token, we commend those individuals who supported the candidacy of Dr. Alex Ekwueme. We will not at this time condemn anyone, especially those from the South-East, South-South, etc., who did not support the candidacy of Dr. Ekwueme, until we have finished consulting with them. We strongly believe in the principles of democracy, especially when people vote their conscience. We are encouraging people in Nigeria and elsewhere not to be discouraged or disillusioned, or even give up because of the outcome of the PDP presidential primary. We are assuring you that there is no iota of lassitude on our part, but we loathe the predicament of Ndi Igbo in Nigeria. Your resolve to ensure fairness and equal opportunity in Nigeria should not be shaken. Our collective aspiration should be larger than an individual or a single event. Our quest continues! We implore you to remain calm and constructive.
While we are re-evaluating our strategies and weighing all options, it is pertinent to point out that empirically, we have witnessed the fact that the principle of �no victor and no vanquished� as conceived and advanced by Nigeria at the end of the civil war was purely a joke. As you may have witnessed some individuals latently use �the civil war� to campaign against Ndi Igbo. This culminates to anti-Igbo activities among other ethnic groups. However, it is our critical opinion that no matter what other ethnic groups do, no matter how they perceive us as a people, it is our fervent assurance that the treatment of Ndi Igbo will never diminish our collective resolve to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria redress all the wrongs to Ndi Igbo. We assure you that our spirit shall not be crushed. PNF USA will start addressing the urgent political interests of Ndi Igbo. The time is now and action is more urgent than ever! However, we will not do this alone. It is our goal to work in collaboratively as a people to ensure that our collective interest is realized. It is indeed our collective responsibility to work together to accomplish Igbo agenda. What is good for Ndi Igbo is good for Nigeria. Since our task is enormous, our effort should, in turn, be collective and unselfish.
It is our fervent opinion that in order for Ndi Igbo to be relevant in the Nigerian body polity, we must do the following: � Unity: We have to be united as an entity in order to be successful in our collective pursuit. Group success is by far better than individual success. There should be a common thread that unites us as a people. � Collective Strategic Plan: We must have a working collective strategic plan to deal with amorphous situations arising from the nascent democracy. Since history shows that the political climate in Nigeria could be characterized as turbulent and unstable, Ndi Igbo must have a dynamic, but constructive plan that has series of options for uncertain situations. We should be proactive in our actions and not reactive for the most part. Though I support the concept of a Nigerian president of Igbo ethnic extraction simply because we have more qualified people to lead Nigeria. However, the clamor now for Igbo presidency is a reactionary measure at best. � Expand The Economic Base in Ala Igbo: It is essentially important that we invest most our resources in Ala Igbo in order to expand the economic base of the area. It is our opinion that Ndi Igbo have invested most of their resources outside our zone thereby depriving us of the necessary factors of development. What does that say about Ndi Igbo? We exhibit the attitude of �ONE NIGERIA� to a much higher degree than any other ethnic group. Our wholeheartedly acceptance of one Nigeria does not translate into equal and fair treatment. In essence, economic power is a necessary condition for political power. We know what happened in the recently concluded PDP presidential primary. � Build Coalition With Other Ethnic Groups: Ndi Igbo, as a people, have to build meaningful and lasting coalitions with other ethnic groups in Nigeria. We may not be able to accomplish certain objectives without the support of other ethnic groups. In our quest for presidency we must not overlook the importance of our brethren from Rivers, Cross Rivers, Delta, and Plateau/Benue areas. In trying to achieve our interests, it is pertinent that we recognize the interests of other groups so as to be able to reach a compromise. We should find a way to collaborate with the North while reaching out to the West and South West. We must work hard to change the impression other ethnic groups have about us. � Recruit, Train, and Support Responsible Leadership: It is paramount that we recruit, train, and support honest and selfless individuals for public and political offices. We should demand that our elected officials be responsive to and serve the people that elected them. It is imperative that we make the elected officials work to improve the economic and political conditions of their respective constituencies. The days for selfish and dishonest activities of our public and political officials should be over if we seriously want to be relevant in the Nigerian body polity. Ndi Igbo at this time need new crop of leadership while tapping the experience of the statesmen. Nobody will be displaced in the new arrangement. However, roles will change, but we will be interdependent. This will assure the importance of everyone. It is important to demand performance and accountability from Igbo leaders. � Create Awareness of Our Plight in Nigeria and Around the World: It is our collective responsibility to educate people in Nigeria and around the world about our plight in Nigeria. Our people should be sensitized about the political process and educate them to realize that sometimes one has to make some personal sacrifices to accomplish a collective goal. We should employ lobby groups in Western countries to create an awareness of our cause and make our case when necessary. Again, we have to be proactive in our actions.
We urge Ohaneze to purge itself of traitors immediately for posterity. We pray for the Ohaneze to articulate the issues and come up with responsible and realistic initiatives for Ndi Igbo to adopt collectively. All Igbo organizations should step up to the plate to be counted. We should be communicating with each other to ensure that we are on the same page if we are sincerely working to accomplish Igbo agenda. PNF USA will leave its communication channels open for Ohaneze, and other relevant Igbo organizations whose primary goal is Igbo interest. It is our strong belief that this is the time for action. The time is now. The time for action could not have been more urgent!
We are seizing this moment to thank people on the ground for their past, present, and future contributions to the enhancement of Ndi Igbo and Nigeria. You are very valuable to us. Your personal sacrifices give us joy. As a result, please feel free to call our attention to your needs. In conclusion, as you go to bed, we will constantly remind you that much work awaits us at dawn.
Dr. Iheanacho "Acho" Orabuchi National Chairman, PNF USA, Inc.
Mr. Geoffrey Nzeadibe National Secretary, PNF USA, Inc.
Mr. Ngozi Echebelem National Public Relations Officer, PNF USA, Inc.
Dr. Clement Umeakuana National Legal Adviser, PNF USA, Inc.
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