quote:Six weeks to the general elections of Igbo apex socio-political organization, Ohanaeze, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN, has confirmed his intention to step down as secretary-general. Nwabueze who spoke exclusively to Saturday Champion on Thursday in his Lagos office said that his decision was informed by the need to give other people, particularly younger ones, opportunity to serve. Prof. Nwabueze assumed the exalted office in 1984 succeeding former governor of Easter Region and Ezeogo Uwana, late Dr. Akanu Ibiam.
He expressed delight at the on-going efforts to re-engineer Ohanaeze and make it more relevant in tackling problems affecting the Igbo and appealed for support and understanding of the State holders to ensure the success of the exercise. A general election of the apex group expected to usher in a new national, state, and local governments executives is slated for November 30, 2003, in Enugu.
The elections, the eminent Constitutional lawyer said, is aimed at opening up Ohanaeze to every segment of the Igbo nation, organisationally and structurally; take it down to the grassroots; and remodel it after the defunct Igbo State Union.
Identifying inadequate funding, internal problems as well as partisan politics as the major problems affecting Ohanaeze, the out-going scribe expressed optimism that these handicaps would soon be a thing of the past.
He observed that notwithstanding its aparent short-comings the present executive of Ohanaeze had achieved a lot during its tenure. These, he said included among other things, the projection of the group as the apex Igbo socio-political organization, initiating the birth of Chief Rotimi Williams SAN-led "The Patriots", as well as initiating the concept of annual Igbo day celebrations, adding that some of the officers spent their personal funds over the years in the service of Ohanaeze
On the prospects of the emergence of a Nigeria President of Igbo extraction in the foreseeable future, Nwabueze dismissed such a possibility as a pipe dream.
Said he," it is not possible for the Igbo to produce the president of Nigeria today, unless the present political structure of the federation is changed or an agreement on rotation of the office of president is reached among all sections of the country, and this formula is enshrined in the nation’s constitution and observed".
"The present structure of the Nigerian state is weighted heavily against the Igbo and unless and until this structure is changed, any talk of Igbo president is unrealistic.
"The nation’s political forces are so heavily weighted against the Igbo that no matter how much you struggle as a people, these forces are designed to keep you down", he said.
He however called on the Igbo not to give up hope in the Nigeria project, but to strive to achieve unity within its fold, articulate its priorities and work towards achieving same.
Nwabueze spent twenty years as secretary-general of Ohanaeze as if there is no other Igbo capable of holding the position. No wonder there is very little to show as achievements.
But the most important elections should be at constituency or local government levels, each constituency electing someone to represent them at Ohanaeze.
It would therefore be better to have those elections once every four years, first at constituency level to elect or re-elect a representative(maximum of 2 representations by the same candidate), followed by the election of the secretary-general.
If Nwabueze felt that Nigeria's President of Igbo extraction was not achievable, what made him electable as secretary-general or even by his constituency or whatever?
Nigeria's President of Igbo extraction is not only achieveble but imperative. It is a matter of making sure that Igbo votes are not stolen and this is the duty of Ohanaeze to make sure that votes are counted at the booths, otherwise the Igbo would boycott the elections. Without Igbo votes nobody would be elected president in Nigeria.
It could be a good idea to allow the neighbouring states, if they wish, to be represented at Ohanaeze as that would make the organization stronger.
In any case, if the members of Ohanaeze know that there would be another election in four years time and that there are equally a lot of potential candidates, they would make sure they achieve something. Else...
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Each state should make a yearly financial contribution for the running of Ohanaeze, which wouldn't deter any person (citizens of member states only) from making extra contributions at will. Financial contributions to ohanaeze should be transparent as to avoid prostitution and sell-out. It is also time to merge with Igbo National Assembly, under a unique name, to avoid being antagonized against one another.
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Ben Nwabueze's departure is good riddance to bad rubbish. He will be remembered as the author of cowardice as Igbo policy in BiafraNigeria. After twenty-years, he has nothing to show for his tenure as Ohanaeze scribe, except whatever he was able to collect from his Hausa-Fulani handlers. Ben Nwabueze is an Igbo disgrace.
___________________ No Biafran will be permitted to play Mother Theresa to the Yoruba and Hausa-Fulani, but play Osama Bin Laden to the Igbo or Biafrans! Posts: 1182 | Registered: Mar 2001
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What is really surprising is why Nwabueze, giving his statement above, stayed too long as secretary-general. In the future, it is essential to elect as members of Ohanaeze as well as the secretary-general, people who have real visions. Those who have no convictions should not be elected, therefore the necessity for electoral campaign and real debate.
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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