ABUJA— THE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Igbo National Assembly have condemned the invitation of Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, by the State Security Service (SSS).
In separate reactions, weekend, the groups said they would not fold their arms and watch anybody humiliate him. CNPP in its reaction said Chief Ojukwu’s invitation might not be unconnected with the recent utterances concerning the justification for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) by Ojukwu.
The statement signed by Maxi Okwu, its Secretary-General, said: “The invitation raises the spectre of an unjust polity where different strokes/rules are applied to different folks/ethnic groups. We dare presume that it is a fallout from recent utterances by him in the media, in which he rationalised the agitation of the Ralp Uwazurike-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
“It was the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi, himself who fired the first salvo when he declared that from henceforth MASSOB would be regarded as a rebel organisation,” he said.
He said it was surprising that this was the government’s response to the very effective sit-at-home order of the movement on August 26, 2004, which reportedly paralyzed economic activities in over six states in the south. Okwu said the government could not dare to arrest someone like Prof. Wole Soyinka who drew national attention recently to the “systematic secession of some states from Nigeria.” Explaining the level of discrimination in the rule of law, he explained: “In the case of Dim Ojukwu for merely expressing his views in which he situates the agitation by Uwazurike and co in its proper socio-political context, he is called in by the SSS for interrogation.”
Igbo fault invitation
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Igbo National Assembly in a statement signed by the party’s Director of Publicity and the association’s General-Secretary, Mr. Okorie Onwuchekwa Orji and Chief Onwuka Ukwa respectively, said similar invitations extended to some prominent Nigerians had no good story to tell. According to the statement, “Ndigbo are deeply worried over the security agents' invitation to Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ezeigbo Gburugburu and APGA presidential candidate in the 2003 election. We are concerned because similar invitations extended to prominent Nigerians including General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Bashorun Abiola were fatal.
The statement noted that Ojukwu was the most peaceful and patriotic Nigerian of our time and had contributed to the socio-political development of the country. “Ojukwu is a key factor in the current democratic encounter. A man of indefatigable endeavour, he has been at the vanguard for the enthronement of genuine democracy in Nigeria.”
The statements warned the security agents to be cautious, discreet and judicious in their parley with Ojukwu and avoid any action that will polarise the country. “Moreso, the Electoral Act suit instituted by APGA is still pending at the Supreme Court, the outcome that will definitely redefine our democracy process. APGA and Ndigbo will not be intimidated by reactionary forces.”
It statement, however, reaffirm its commitment in a united Nigerian, stressing that it will resist fascism, despotism and autocracy.
