LAGOS — AS momentum gathers in respect of the quest for an Igbo presidency in 2007, Governor Sam Egwu of Ebonyi has called for the support of Nigerians for the realisation of the project. Delivering a memorial lecture in honour of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola organised by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University branch, yesterday, Governor Egwu, said Igbos should be supported to produce the next president of the country in 2007.
According to him, “for a people who are so passionate in their conviction about the oneness of Nigeria that they are so widely dispersed in, it is only fair that they be supported to produce the next president of the country in an atmosphere of democracy and accommodation.”
Egwu, in the lecture titled “Democracy and Responsiveness: The Socio-contractual Interface,” stated that since persuasion is the hallmark of democracy, a platform such as this gathering presents an opportunity to canvass the justness and moral force of that aspiration.
He went on: “Whether on the basis of the current six geo-political zonal arrangement or on the basis of the former three regional structure, the Igbos have never produced an executive president of Nigeria.”
The governor added that apart from the sacrifices and towering contributions of the Igbos to the development of Nigeria, “it is also a well-known fact that in every state of the federation after the indigenes of that state, the Igbos are next in terms of population.”
He described Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who died in military detention after his electoral victory was annulled, as “an embodiment of humanitarian service to mankind, his philanthropy to the poor, in education, sports, health, politics, etc, is exemplary and unequalled in the history of Nigeria.”
Egwu noted that although this is a memorial lecture to honour MKO, it is instructive that the event has been timed to coincide with his birthday, rather than the day of his death or burial date.
“To my mind, the entire event is imbued with remarkable symbolism embodying the celebration of Abiola’s immortality as a democratic symbol rather than the transience of his life.”
He alluded to Abiola’s entry into politics as giving birth to our nascent democracy which has provided a platform for greater service to our people. Saying that Abiola’s June 12, 1993 victory transcended ethnic, religious and other cleavages, it was for that reason that the annulment of that exercise and the attendant death of the winner have remained sources of outrage to Nigeria and the world at large.
“Although the June 12 issue has become part of history, the matters arising from it are still relevant. The most enduring issue connected with the controversy has to do with sanctity of election, which is the epicentre of true democracy.”
Also honoured was Dr (Mrs) Dora Akinyuli, DG NAFDAC, whom he described as a living heroine, a great achiever, and a role model for all Nigerians.
