2007
Igbo Leaders Unite For Presidency
South should forget it, says Yobe Gov
From Christopher Isiguzo in Owerri and Mustapha Muhammed in Damaturu
The controversy over where the next president should come from in 2007 became hot once again at the weekend when all political office holders from the South-east zone, after a meeting in Owerri, stated that they are now united to ensure that the next president is Igbo.
The stand of the South-east leaders was, however, immediately contradicted by the governor of Yobe State, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who also at the weekend told reporters that all the three zones in the South should forget about producing the president.
In a five-point communique issued at the end of a five-hour closed-door meeting of the Igbo leaders, held at the Concorde Hotel, Owerri the Imo State capital, the South-east decided to pursue the Igbo presidency project vigorously with a view to realising it. They added that Igbo "are now more united than ever to achieve the goal."
Senator Ifeanyi Araruame (Imo) who read the communique said what had denied the Igbo the presidency in the past was their inability to come together, and this had made other regions to continue to shortchange the Igbo "who are better qualified for the position than any other tribe."
The meeting was attended by governors, senators, House of Representative members and speakers of the South-east Houses of Assembly.
Governor Ibrahim, who is a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), said the South has had its own share of the nation's chief executive position in the present political dispensation and that it was the turn of the North.
He, however, added that the position should be specifically zoned to the North-east geo-political zone which has not produced any president since inception.
Ibrahim, who joined the controversy on the 2007 presidency while speaking at the installation and presentation of staff of office to the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashimi, noted that there should be justice in zoning of the office.
According to him, the presidency should be zoned to the North-east irrespective of which party wins in 2007.
The renewed controversy over which geo-political zone should produce the next president re-opened early this month when Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, said Igbos should forget the post in the next election. He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) unwritten rotational formula between North and south means the post should go to the North after President Olusegun Obasanjo, a southerner, had occupied it for eight years.
But Makarfi's counterpart in Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel contradicted the claim by saying no zoning formula had been adopted.
South-east governors and Ohanaeze, the apex Igbo-socio-cultural organisation, also joined the fray by insisting that the next president should come from the zone.
The Northern governors had also said they are set to bring the presidency back to one of the three geo-political zones in the North.
Araruame who served as the chairman of the South-east meeting said the South-east leaders also took far reaching decisions on some other issues as it concerned the Igbo, especially in the areas of power generation, the on-going privatisation exercise and the dredging of River Niger.
On power generation, the South-east leaders said efforts would be made to ensure the completion of the Alaoji Power Station as this will help industries in the area to function effectively and efficiently in order to improve the economy of the zone.
On privatisation, the group said that there was need for awareness to be created among the Igbos to enable them participate actively in purchasing the "national assets being sold in the country."
The meeting, Araruame said, also mandated Senate President Adolphus Wabara to use his position as the highest political office holder from the zone to ensure that Igbo were represented favourably in the allocation of revenue and fiscal policies of the country.
On the dredging of the River Niger, the meeting took a decision to consult with other states which the river extends to with a view to realising the project "as this would help in boosting economic activities in the South-east.
Governor Achike Udenwa of Imo State said during the opening session that he decided to assist in resuscitating the South-east caucus meeting so that issues bothering on the Igbo nation can be fully discussed.
In their separate speeches, Governors Sam Egwu and Chris Ngige of Ebonyi Anambra states respectively urged Ndigbo to be ready to make sacrifices and lend their support to whatever idea or project will benefit the South-east zone.
They advised Igbo to be ready at all times to defend themselves economically, socially and politically. They further noted that Igbo ordinarily should have inputs in the budget and political appointments, especially as they concern people from the area.
Other speakers at the meeting, included Senator Arthur Nzeribe and Hon. Gilbert Nnaji, who both lent their support to the decision of the caucus.
Others present at the meeting were Senate President Wabara governors of Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi, deputy governors of Abia and Enugu states and the speakers of the five South-east state Houses of Assembly.
Others are Senators Chris Adighije, Deputy leader of the House of Representatives, Chief Gilbert Nnaji and other members of the House of Representatives, members of the various state Houses of Assembly, commissioners, among others.
And speaking on other issues in Damaturu, Governor Ibrahim noted with satisfaction that the security within the North-east zone has been improved as cases of armed robbery have reduced to a minimal level. He thanked the Federal Government for the logistic support to the force patrolling the main roads in the region.
Speaking on the recent religious-ethnic crisis in Plateau and Kano states, the governor urged everybody to maintain peace in their areas. He pointed out that peace is the best means for developing a nation like Nigeria.
Ibrahim said both Islam and Christianity do not condone killings, hence the followers should abide by the teachings of the religions.
He called on the Federal Government to resort to dialogue in resolving seizure of revenue due to local government councils in states which conducted elections in newly created local governments.
"Yobe is part of the States that created local governments and conducted elections in them. I believe the problem should be politically resolved," he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said within the five years of the Obasanjo administration, the police force recruitment has increased from 100,000 to 400,000, which indicates the dedication of the Federal Government to security matters.
|
