Nna gini ka m kwuru ugbu a? A siri m asi? Look here my man, just like the next guy, I want what is best for my peeps and where I differ from most of you guys is that I don't worship nobody esle but my Dad. We are all reading the same online news and we all hope that our man CC Onoh's son inlaw didn't sell out to OBJoke and his crunnies. That cheap reference to Enugu State people is duelly ignored.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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Can you guys stop the shouting match so we can move on?
For Ojukwu, most of you often forget that he did what he had to do in his late 20s through his mid 30s, the very tender age some of you are still hoping life would one day change for the better.
I am not here to praise Ojukwu, but I am sure his stance was well recieved when he rebelled against the status quo, and in doing so, proved his point that Nd'Igbo had a choice--a choice between slavery and freedom.
I really do not think there is the need for us to split over personal jealosies as many now think of Ojukwu as just a trouble maker, not seeing through the battle wounds. Not seeing what he went through when those that he trusted and gave his life to stabbed him on the back.
Biko nuo, let's bury this matter and move on.
___________________ Liberate Biafra Now Posts: 29 | From: Umuagwo | Registered: Nov 2002
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Oshamblo, Thanks for your wise contribution. I am baffled to read some post and unrelenting insult on Ojukwu here. Some say people are worshiping him,they encourage idiots from the other tribes, to continue to insult Ikemba. People i know that under normal circumstance will run for cover, just the mention of Ojukwu. The reason Igbos are being kicked around today by yorubas and Hausas is because there are no more Ojukwu's around. Where did the Igbos i read here come from? Are these people, truely of Igbo extraction? If they forgot our history, they need to revisit, and talk to elders of Ndi-Igbo. I worry because these new breed of umuIgbo are not thinking right. Look at the yorubas they know that Awolowo was the most wicked man that walked the surface of this earth yet they will never abuse him in public. Umuigbo Tufia kwa unu
Posts: 524 | From: USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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Ndewo nu, Chukwu gozie umu Biafra nile. I thank the MASSOB abroad people who give us this wonedrfull place to discuss our father land. I am very happy to be with my Biafrans here, my brother in Aba has been telling me about this place. A friend of mine who know that I like Biafra and Ojukwu very much send me this message I am sharing with you, umu Biafra is it possible that Ikemba can be Sabo. I am very concerned with this news that I got below because of how it affects Biafra, can we investigate. Please if you are not a Biafran I don't want your opinion, this is a family matter.
Chief Chekwas Okorie must be the most embattled politician in the country today. It is not as if the experience will be anything new to him though, after all, he is and will ever remain part of the Nigerian political establishment, which in every sense material is a minefield of intrigues and nasty machinations.
Yet, it is significant that Okorie is surprised at the turn of events in the party he helped to found, events, which are threatening to sweep him away from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Last week, Okorie, the national chairman of APGA since its inception in 2002 and who has in recent times been embroiled in a leadership tussle with Chief Victor Umeh, the party’s national treasurer lamented what he called “unforgettable and unmitigated act of betrayal” by Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2003 election. Okorie, like so many other Nigerians who know the relationship he has had with the Ikemba Nnewi in the past 22 years were aghast at the turn of events in the party.
Not a few are flummoxed and nonplussed that Ojukwu could align with the Umeh camp by not only accepting with gusto the position of chairman, Board of Trustees but also “humbly” donating the “token sum of N500,000” to a cause which was no more than the expulsion of Okorie from the party. And Okorie was understandably confounded and distraught hence his Tuesday, January 25, “limited response to Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s volition to become a party to the APGA crisis.” It was obvious that Ojukwu was bound to respond and when I asked Mr. Chukwudi Achife, our Enugu Bureau Chief to seek audience with him, I was optimistic and the man did not disappoint.
It is quite obvious from the interview that Ojukwu, who ought to play the role of a father had taken sides and unfortunately for Chekwas, he is holding the wrong end of the APGA stick of intrigues. Rather than address the issues that are threatening to damn the party that provided him the platform to pursue his life long presidential ambition to perdition, Ojukwu, an alumnus of Oxford University preferred to lecture his political godson on the correct usage of English Language. But it was quite obvious that Ojukwu, a master in the art of sophistry was only being smart by half. His laboriousness was unfortunate. Ojukwu said his priority is to settle the rift in the party and perhaps reconcile the warring groups.
How on earth he hopes to achieve that by siding with a party to the dispute that has expelled members of the rival camp remains to be seen. At the end of the day, Ojukwu’s action may as well be the beginning of the end for the party. He is simply singing his party’s Nunc Dimittis. It will be a very big surprise if he doesn’t know that the seed of distrust which he has sown by being overtly partisan in a matter which, to borrow a PDP refrain, ought to be a “Family Affair” will at the end of the day expose APGA to ridicule and public opprobrium like the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
Does that mean that Chekwas is blameless in the whole absurd drama? No! But it is only natural that in a human organisation, more so, a political party, there are bound to be differences of opinions and tendencies and it behoves elders such as Ojukwu to ensure that such crises do not get out of hand. Has he done that? My answer is no! Lest anybody misinterprets the underlining political intrigues that are defining the APGA crisis, the whole manouverings have their root in the Anambra political debacle and as usual President Olusegun Obasanjo is simply exploiting the political naivety, if not folly of certain individuals to fight his dirty political war with the sole aim of kicking Dr. Chris Ngige out of the Anambra State Government House.
Now, it has become obvious to even the most undiscerning of political observers that APGA won the April 19, 2003 gubernatorial election in Anambra, a victory which PDP supported by the now disgraced former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun unabashedly stole in what will go down in history as the worst electoral heist in the land. In those early days after the election when Obasanjo was still jittery over the possibility of a popular revolt against his government given the unconscionable fraud, he promised APGA chieftains including Ojukwu and Chekwas that he would return some of the states particularly in the South East to the party.
He has since reneged on this promise, as he is wont to do, having realised that Nigerians are no more than toothless bulldogs. Yet, it is surprising that it is this same promise, which Obasanjo is making afresh in his desperate bid to kick Ngige’s ass that is tearing APGA apart. Most surprising is that Ojukwu does not only believe Obasanjo this time around but is prepared to help him destroy the party if only to be accorded the privilege of being a presidential nominee to the National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC).
To get at Ngige, Obasanjo has promised Mr. Peter Obi, the man who won the 2003 Anambra gubernatorial election on the platform of APGA that his mandate would be retrieved from the usurper, Ngige and given back to him. As was the case when it was stolen, Chief Chris Uba will again be the magician that would pull off this incredible feat. To this end, Obi has held series of meetings at Aso Rock Villa with Obasanjo and his political hatchetmen brokered by Uba, the ultimate Anambra political godfather. Ojukwu is in the know of this new plot and as it were, has given his blessing.
But Chekwas Okorie, the national chairman of the party would have none of that. Rather than dinning with the political devil which Obasanjo indubitably is, he chose to strike his own deal with Ngige for whatever it is worth. In doing that, Chekwas must have come to the realisation that short of death, nothing will stop Ngige from completing his term in office. Even if the Election Tribunal gives an unfavourable verdict today, Ngige as sure as the sun rises from the East will appeal the verdict. If he loses at the tribunal and the courts order for another election, he is likely to win any election in Anambra today given his very high popularity rating. But because Aso Rock must have its way in its war of vendetta against the diminutive governor, it has recruited Chief Victor Umeh, a former Anambra State PDP official who defected to APGA to do the yeoman job with the active connivance of Ojukwu.
So in simple terms, the APGA crisis is nothing other than a fight for supremacy between two contending forces— Okorie-Ngige-Atiku camp on the one hand and Umeh-Obi-Uba-Ojukwu-Obasanjo camp. This is indeed sad just as it raises a number of questions. What compromises is Obi making in his desperate bid to be governor of Anambra? Has he signed to pay Uba the N3 billion, which Ngige refused to pay? Will he agree to be in government, a mere figurehead while Uba will be in power pulling the strings? In all these desperate political calculations and dubious agreements, where lies the interest of Anambrarians? I am very surprised with Ojukwu’s sudden romance with Aso Rock in recent times. He is now not only routinely invited to Obasanjo’s lair, both men speak on phone everyday and Ojukwu’s elephant-sized ego is having a ball. But I don’t know how long it will last. I dare make a prediction. Obasaanjo, a man who does not suffer fools gladly is dangerously baiting Ojukwu and like an excited kindergarten, he is falling for the bait. Perhaps time has come for Obasanjo to finish his unfinished business with Ojukwu and by extension the Igbo. I can see him savouring his victory already. I hope I am wrong but I doubt.
Posts: 12 | From: Toronto Canada | Registered: Jan 2005
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We have been discussing this issue for two or three days now. If you want to hear all sides, read this whole thread that we are in now, but to get a clearer picture of the true facts you must go the the thread provided by the link below.
infact you probably should read all the most active threads because this has been a hot issue and has overlapped into other threads
___________________ The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves... Posts: 660 | From: Valle del Sol | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Nna gini ka m kwuru ugbu a? A siri m asi? Look here my man, just like the next guy, I want what is best for my peeps and where I differ from most of you guys is that I don't worship nobody esle but my Dad. We are all reading the same online news and we all hope that our man CC Onoh's son inlaw didn't sell out to OBJoke and his crunnies. That cheap reference to Enugu State people is duelly ignored.
Let me start with the highlight. It amuses me each time people on one hand profess their proudness for their name/origin then turn around and consider it as offensive when someone uses that same name to make a valid point. My use of wawa in my post was not meant to disrespect you at all since it was an open book of how proud your folks are about this name hence they even clamored for it to be the official state name during the creation of Enugu state. Am I wrong? Even Honorable C.C. Onoh Nwa Ngwoo, is a proud advocate of this name, so also is Jim Nwobodo. So, where my brother did I go wrong? Where did you get the cheap thing from? However, if you felt offended then accept my "ndo." And to the other issues, I too have my fingers crossed hoping that our man did not do what you feared, sell For the last time, I DO NOT WORSHIP ANY LIVING THING, maybe fine women (Kidding!) I hope my involvement in defense of a man that is disparaged even when hes not done a thing wrong does not give you the misguided impression that I hold anything other than the usual Igbo respect for this man? Ed, Ive no quarrel with you expressing your entitled opinion all I ask that you not join those who see nothing right about us to aid their insulting thirst. I dont think I write like someone who would foolishly support Ojukwu because hes Ojukwu, what for? I do, however, feel that it is most unfair to jump on any slightest opportunity to bring the man down. If and when it is proven that hes been engaged in anti-Igbo activities, Ill be number one or two to tell it like he should know. But for now, were still awaiting the bomb Jewel and his press promised to release that would show how hes been collecting money under the table from aremu. Remember I too am a fellow TEXAN.
Kamalu:
The article you provided is indeed disturbing though one might have reason to question the real identity of the writer since our neighbors in the west are known to dribble anti Ojukwu/Igbo articles by appending Igbo name. bolaji aluko easily comes to mind here. Ojukwu will be foolish to fall into aremus bait and if he does, his eventual death will not be mourned by this writer and I presume majority of our people.
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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Nwannem ndewo, I have been suspecting that this may be trickery by some people but when I called home today they told me that there is problm between Chekwas and Ojukwu. Even in the papers this is what I found about APGA and Obasanjo. -------------------------------------------------
APGA Factional Leader,Umeh, Sues Okorie THERE seem to be no end and yet to the lingering crisis roding the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) as the factional leader of the party, Chief Victor Umeh has sued his rival, Chief Chekwas Okorie, for alleged defamation.
In an originating summons, instituted by Umeh, APGA's national treasure, before an Abuja High Court, the plaintiff is claiming the sum of N150 million as general and special damages.
Filled by his counsel, Dr. Innocent Ekwu, the plaintiff claimed that Okorie had made several libellous statements in publications that dented his image.
Umeh denied claims by Okorie that his group was being sponsored by the Presidency to destabilise the party and that he signed all cheques belonging to APGA lodged in its account with the Manny Bank.
He also prayed the court to order for a perpetual injunction against the defendant stopping him (Okorie) "from further falsehood and doing anything either by himself or agents or privies to discredit" him.
No date has been fixed for mentioning of the case.
Meanwhile the Presidency has been fingered to be the brain behind the present crisis ruling APGA. President Olusegun Obasanjo has been fingered as the brain behind the present political crisis rocking the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA led by Chief Chekwas Okorie.
Also, the Presidency was alleged to have perfected plot to reregister the party, ", a chieftain of the party and its National Treasure, Ogo Chris Akanegbu alleged.
In an interview with The Guardian that before now, the party received information that there were high level presidency moves to decries the party.
"Unfortunately, in the wake of that information, the present crisis in the party erupted which made everyone believe in the veracity of the earlier information", he added.
He noted that the allegation was manifested unilateral decision to allot slots and invite only the PDP, ANPP and AD to the proposed National dialogue, He viewed the plot as shocking, saying, we are therefore and bothers us a party and as democrats, because we learnt that president want to use his overriding veto to get INEC to reregister APGA When reminded that the president might have considered the not-too-good performance of the party in the last general elections, before taking the alleged actions, Akanegbu disagreed. He said APGA came on board only few months to the election.
He pointed out that things were already looking up and that was part of the fear of the PDP leadership APGA would reach all corners in 2007.
In a related development, APGA has called on INEC to stop acrimony in political parties.
Making the appeal in a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman, the party said as electoral Ombudsman, the commission should enforce its constitutional responsibilities diligently.
"We believe that in the due discharge of its statutory and constitutional responsibilities, INEC must at all times not allow intra and inter party dissent to faster." Signed by the party's deputy national chairman (South), Mr. Maxi Okwu, APGA said that the commission could do such by responding promptly to any request or petition brought to it by aggrieved political parties or their members in order to stabilise and strengthen the country's growing democracy.
On the leadership crisis rocking APGA, the letter advised INEC to disregard the plethora of complaints and intensive lobbying by those he described as "expelled members of the party."
Posts: 12 | From: Toronto Canada | Registered: Jan 2005
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Umunnem The situation at home with our Ikemba and nwannem nta Chekwas is not okay. I don't like all this open quarrel, Ndigbo at home have to find out what Chekwas did so we can correct him. As an Aba boy I know how to respect elders and Ikemba is our elder.
I am concern that Ikemba gave money to Umeh and Umeh is now suing Chekwas, I know Ikemba never said in this interview what Chekwas did but it is not good that he gave money to one faction. Ikemba should not to go to that conference, because the Yoruba people may be planning to use him. I don't trust anything that Obasanjo is doing we all know that Obasanjo hates Ndigbo. Ikemba should not join any faction in APGA he should find out the guilty party and expose him to Ndigbo.
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APGA CRISIS: No man is bigger than the party- Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Nkemba Nnewi, is a name that is very familiar to many Nigerians. He was the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the April 19, 2003 election. He recently accepted to be the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Chief Victor Umeh led faction of APGA, a situation, which has pitched him against Chief Chekwas Okorie, the suspended chairman of the party, who also leads the other faction. In this interview with CHUKWUDI ACHIFE, Dim Ojukwu talks about the internal wrangling in the party, saying that APGA would come out stronger. As for the proposed national dialogue, he says though his idea is not exactly the same as that of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he would not reject an invitation to be part of the conference. Excerpts:
How do you react to comments credited to Chief Chekwas Okorie alleging that you betrayed him by accepting an appointment from the Chief Victor Umeh-led faction of APGA?
When you said you were coming to interview me, I thought you were coming to talk about serious matters. I am glad I mentioned my age and if you permit me, let me say at this age I will not be bandying words with Chief Chekwas Okorie. Its not my intention so to do. We have a party and whether anybody likes it or not, I am a prominent member of APGA. At no point has it been said that one faction was Ojukwus faction and the other Chekwass faction. What has been said, to my knowledge, is that two groups have been locking horns on the matter of leadership of APGA. Whatever opinion Chief Chekwas Okorie has about me, he has every right to do. He is a citizen; more than that, he has been a prominent member of APGA. He can have any opinion. He says a word that I didnt quite like and that is betrayal. This is always the problem in Nigeria, I mean the usage of English Language; coming and speaking out ill-digested vocabulary. I think before you use the word betrayal, it is necessary to create a background of a deal or plot or plan and the other person goes and betrays it. I dont know whatever has been done and whatever it is, it doesnt matter. We are in Nigeria, Nigeria doesnt end tomorrow, it will go on and I will like to see what happens. But what I can tell you is no matter the provocation, I paid my dues a long time ago. I will not descend to exchanging words with Chief Okorie on the pages of newspapers.
Do we say now that you recognise Chief Victor Umeh as acting national chairman?
If you remember, they had, I think on December 11, a NEC meeting; and on the 12th, there was another one. After the one of the 11th, a letter was written to me, I replied that letter, on the 12th; I did not hear anything even though they may have come to certain conclusions. Amazingly, the decisions were remarkably alike. But that notwithstanding, I have not received intimation from the other side that this is what they did. Certainly I replied the letter from Umehs side to accept. From the beginning of this problem, I told them that I would take no side. I would stand firmly for the survival of the party. I think I am still doing so.
You called a reconciliation meeting before the two NEC meetings, which was, however, called off suddenly. What could have happened?
Actually, you are right. I called a meeting to preempt the two meetings of the 11th and the 12th. But I still maintain I dont want to be drawn into taking positions. But lets put it this way, that one side felt that I had no right to call a meeting based on the constitution. That it was not appropriate. Thats all.
Where does this crisis leave APGA?
APGA will be much stronger after; I think so because there are a number of things that need to be repaired. The party is bigger than any man. You know when you start off a party, there were people who didnt even believe that it was going to be registered and when it was, there was this mad rush the usual Nigerian rush for positions. There was also a lot of opportunism, people coming and trying to pick positions. I had always told Chekwas in the good old days that our appointments are through people who found us and not people we found. I have always been aware that sooner than later, something like this would happen but I believe that APGA will come out stronger by the time all those who should not have been there in the first place leave. It will have a better direction and I pray that it will get a populist image.
Do you feel vindicated by the recent minority judgment of the Supreme Court, which declared the 2003 presidential elections a farce?
But of course! Why do you have to ask me when you read it yourself? So why not? Of course I feel vindicated.
What measures would the party take to ensure that it does not get rigged out again in the next elections?
Wait for the elections. When it is time for it, we will tell you.
What is your position on the National Dialogue proposed by the Federal Government?
Why do you people insist that everything in Nigeria must be a tug of war? My position, your position, is it a tug of war?
I am referring to the controversy surrounding it. Some people are saying that government ought not to have any hand in the selection of delegates to the confab, but should allow the people do that and work out their own modalities?
One, everybody is correct. We have our rights; we have our own opinions. We have a right to hold opinions that are at variance with that of government. Beyond that, I used to pride myself, I think I can still pride myself on being one of the advocates of a Sovereign National Conference and then suddenly Mr. President announced his own idea that it should be a dialogue. To be quite honest, I saw the president recently, and he maintained that a dialogue is the answer but I dont go on taking positions. We have to wait for the government to let us know why he prefers a dialogue to a conference. I will tell you my problem about the dialogue, the little English I learnt in Oxford tells me that a dialogue is between two people or parties and I didnt feel that the answer to Nigerias problems today is Obasanjo versus the rest of the country, no. I didnt like the dichotomy already implicit in the whole thing. What I am after is a round table where every Nigerian remotely has a say. I dont like the idea that Mr. President was confirming my fears by practically himself nominating everybody who will participate. Well, if I say that I am going to have a national dialogue and on one side I stay here and my wife will be there, my first son, and second son, you know immediately, even if it is not wrong but to on-lookers, they will say theres something odd about this thing. That is what I am saying. Again whatever right I give to myself, before anything I accept that Obasanjo has the same right so he has his opinion but please allow me to have mine, thats all. We are saying that we need a Sovereign National Conference and we have people of requisite experience and knowledge to give us advice and make contributions that would make Nigeria a better place for all of us. The aim is to make Nigeria better; the aim is not for Ndigbo to be better, if it is making Nigeria better of course Ndigbo will be better as they will feel the impact of a better Nigeria. If he wants, he can call me and I will tell him what will make Nigeria better, anytime.
By your stand on national conference, would it mean that you might not accept any nomination or appointment to participate in the dialogue?
Again, this is my quarrel with the Nigerian media. Show me one word in everything I have said that makes you feel I will not be attending if I am invited.
You just said that your idea of a national conference stands at variance with the presidents notion and I was wondering if you would accept an invitation to participate in his arrangement.
Well lets see, we went for an election, I stood as president and honestly I would have preferred that I came out of that election as president of Nigeria but somehow, Obasanjo came up, having stated that, does that mean that I should opt out of Nigeria? Of course I wont, we are one country, we are all looking for the best for Nigeria. I am a great Nigerian patriot and I equally grant that Obasanjo is also a great Nigerian patriot.
There have been talks about restoring the parliamentary system of government and a return to the regions as solutions to Nigerias problems. As someone who has experienced both the old and new eras, what would be your view on this?
There is to my mind no single palliative to solve all problems. All the various suggestions if critically looked upon might in certain cases help us make Nigeria better, I dont personally think that the American system is necessarily bad, there are some good points there. The coming of CNN has made all of us almost students of the American system and we are beginning to learn that they do have certain very good points. I think actually in Nigeria today, we know more of the American system because of CNN than the Westminster parliamentary system. Its been a long time we practiced the system and I dont know how many people intimately understand it. I like it. I believe actually that the people have greater influence on government policies under the parliamentary system than they would under the almighty president. But we have looked at it and more than anything else, that is why I say let us do a roundtable conference where all these will be tabled and discussed so that we come out with a better one. We have suffered too much from having policies force-fed to us. Our entire structure is more punitive than anything and that is why it doesnt work. Why is it that everybody knows there is a Southeast zone and why do you deny them identity or coordination at the zonal level? Why do you insist that certain things must be totally informal, what are you afraid of? Sit round a table, put your fears on the table and let it be discussed and the let everybody know exactly where we are going. I have also said when people ask me what the agenda of the conference should be that we should start of with definitions, the federation as seen by the Sardauna was not what was envisaged by Zik or Awolowo or Aminu Kano, so lets start from the basics.
How do you react to the opinion that ex-military men like yourself should not be allowed to contest elective positions at least for now?
I am so glad you brought this up to me. I thank you for the opportunity. What I say to Nigerians is stop this exclusion. You think excluding this man or group can solve all problems? No! What you should always look for is for an all-inclusive accommodating polity. Now, this whole question, theres no profession more glorious than that of the soldier, the armed forces personnel that lays down his life for his fellow citizens. Theres no consideration given to the ex-service personnel that I would not join in promoting because of the knowledge that they are where they are. Now you dont become a criminal because you served your nation. Constitutionally, you have reasons that disqualify people from contesting elections and service in the armed forces is not one of them. One of them is that the person is of an unsound mind. I do not believe that just by serving in the armed forces, you become of an unsound mind. I believe the opposite is rather the case. I think within the military, you find the finest minds actually. I wrote the Ahiara Declaration as a military officer and none of the civilian politicians is yet to come up with a document like that. I have always said that there must be limits to everything.
Well I am perhaps a proud very Nigerian. I dont know any civilian leader that has taken such a critical look at the Nigerian situation as I did in the Ahiara Declaration and published it. I did with my military background and it stands as a test. With all due respect, all the others, what have they produced that is comparable? So, it is not the background; it is the political will that the person has. So remember that.
The Anambra crisis is still lingering and appears to be unfolding in stages, where does this crisis and it peculiar circumstances leave this country?
It leaves us with the teething problems of democratic practice, which is where it leaves. It doesnt leave us with the hopelessness of the situation; it doesnt leave us with the wickedness in the system. It leaves us where it has left us- with the teething problems of a nascent democracy.
How and when do you think we can get over these teething problems?
Good. Choose the right leaders and I repeat, if you invite me, I can get them for you and if you dont invite me, from my corner, I will keep trying to contribute my ideas to the national discourse.
I believe that Nigerians do actually choose leaders who would have been right for them except some few powerful people always thwart those choices, what do think they should do to stop this trend once and for all?
The problem is that all the time we say we have a leadership problem but actually what we have is a followership problem. In the elections, even the world would have their pens poised to write about the Nigerian election but one thing that held them back was that they could not at any stager be more Nigerian than the Nigerians. Theres nothing that the masses of this country will achieve without mass action and they will take some risks. They must have to do so.
The federal government has continued to show its irritations over the agitations for a new Biafra and some prominent Igbos like former Science and technology Minister, General Momah have suggested that an organization like MASSOB is evil and should be advised to drop its cause, whats your reaction to this?
If they said that they are obviously running way from the question. The question for everybody including the President is this: in your opinion are Ndigbo well taken care of in the Nigerian polity. Thats all; so dont tell us theoretically what should be. I am here in Enugu, there are people who left Universities seven years ago and they still cant find jobs and I ask why and I check through and I dont see the same phenomenon elsewhere why should it be so. Actually my quarrel with Nigeria derives not from the questions I ask but from someone saying I have no right to ask those questions. Thats why I say eh eh. I will take anything but I must always retain the right to make my own choices. I dont quarrel with Nigeria about Biafra but I quarrel when you say I should not mention the word, which is in our history. Thats all.
Lets go back to APGA issue. A lot of your critics would still look back at your role in the Second Republic and recall that you turned your back on an Igbo-led party NPP) to join a northern led party and NPN, some even say you may have been lured.
(Interjecting), Anybody can say anything and I start by saying I respect all opinions. How can I be lured? I have said I paid my dues. Lured? When I fought with my own personal money against injustice; lured, after so many years of people inquiring and finding out that I have some integrity? Lured, lured, by what by whom? How can anybody lure me into being a second-class citizen? Come off it. Yes, I joined NPN and I felt at that point we could go into all the question of national reconciliation; that my return was truly propitious to the efforts to get Ndigbo back to the mainstream. I know that you look at me with some awe sometimes but I confess that I am not supernatural. I do what a man can do and leave the rest to God. I am disappointed that we could not achieve out aim but that was because some people in this country are still bent on tagging the Igbo with the tag of a defeated people. Thats all. But I am not giving up, I will continue to say, give me fairness and you will find a good Nigerian citizen.
Posts: 12 | From: Toronto Canada | Registered: Jan 2005
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Umunnem I am happy that Chekwas has said that he will not insult Ikemba in public, but I am affraid that some people may be causing this problem for our two brothers.Please can somebody tell us who is this Umeh, what character of a man is he because it looks like he want to divide Ndigbo from the things that I hearing. We don't want any Anambra or Imo division at this time we just want one Igbo.
The thing Chekwas is saying show me that maybe this problem can be solve if we investigate Umeh and his people because I never hear of problem in APGA before Umeh. I know chief John Okam in Aba he is not in APGA, I think Umeh want to use him. -------------------------------------------------
APGA CRISIS: Ojukwu has technically left APGA- Chekwas Okorie
Chief Chekwas Okorie, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), says that by teaming up with Victor Umehs faction which has been expelled from the party, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has shot himself in the foot as he is now technically out of APGA. He spoke to Chuks Ehirim.
Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu said in an interview we had with him that it was a wrong usage of English Language for you to allege that he betrayed you. What do you say?
Well, much as I will not like to join issues with him, I think my answer here will not amount to joining issues with him. I will say that my university degree is not in English language.
I will also say that I did not attend Oxford University; I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. But I will say that my communication is very effective in English language and all those who have had the opportunity of reading my views have understood me.
And to underscore that, no journalist has ever quoted me out of contest for over two decades that I have been interacting with the public through the media. But everyday, I keep learning. So, if he were able to educate me on where I faulted in the spoken word, perhaps I would learn from him. I have learnt from him for a long, long time, more than most people.
What he was saying is that you accused him of betraying you and that you can only betray somebody with whom you have an agreement
I will like those who know the English language better than myself to interpret whether I used the word betrayal properly or not. I dont know about agreement. I know about friendship that lasted over several years. I know about a friendship, in which I have stood on his side, defending every action of his. Supporting a friend like that, a father figure for that matter, you will expect that if for once you need solidarity that you could take solidarity coming from such a person for granted.
And if the solidarity is not there, it hurts. It even hurts more if that solidarity is granted to your opponent or to the group oppressing you. If you feel disappointed and have a sense of betrayal, my own understanding of the English language is that, that feeling is justified.
If you are talking of written agreement before one can talk about betrayal, I wouldnt know the agreement that Jesus Christ had with Judas. It wasnt written in the scriptures, what agreement they had.
He equally said that he accepted the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees offered him by the Umeh faction because they were the only group that wrote him, that your group never wrote him on that?
Honestly, I am so very reluctant to continue to discuss these matters concerning Ikemba. But I must say that accepting Umehs offer was a major political mistake because Umeh and his group have lost out in APGA. There is no alternative to their being expelled. The only way out now if for the same group, if they so desire, to form their own party.
If they feel they were wrongly expelled, there is a provision for appeal. I am talking about the Umeh faction now and not Ikemba. That is the only way they can come back to APGA.
The competent authority of the party had expelled them. Names of members of the NEC of the party are registered with INEC. I have told most media organisations that are still interested in this matter to go to INEC and verify who they have recognised as the chairman of APGA.
And once they do that little investigation, it will help to put things in their proper perspective. Umeh decided to go down with so many people. But let me say that posterity will continue to hold him accountable for whatever political damage he has done to the Ezeigbo Gburugburu.
Igbo people should hold Umeh responsible for disgracing an icon like Ojukwu. Technically, he (Ojukwu) has walked out on the party. That is the fact of the matter.
But I will personally take steps to normalise relationship with him. I cherish that friendship. It will help Igbo land to heal some of the wounds caused by this recent schism if we are seen together again, may be not in the same political party, but as patriotic Igbo persons who wish Igbo people well. Everybody is not bound to belong to APGA. He has technically left the party.
When you blame Umeh for the problem, do you mean to say that he dragged the Ikemba to President Obasanjo?
I wouldnt deny Ikemba or question his right to interact with the President of Nigeria. It is just that the co-incidence of his coming back from Abuja on January 20 and writing Umeh on the 21st, and his uncharacteristic donation to that group to facilitate my removal from office cannot be mere happenstance. It is so very suggestive. Otherwise, at this level, he should be permitted to interact with any political leader in this country.And we ought to even assume that anytime such interaction takes place, that it is for our over all interest because one would expect that he had outgrown compromising on principles for which he has been known for many years. But definitely, that co-incidence of his returning and doing what he did with the Umeh group is what is quite unsettling.
But I continue to blame Umeh and his cohorts because they went and impressed it upon him that they are capable of changing APGA constitution and creating for him, the position of leader in addition to the position of chairman, Board of Trustees. They also told him that they would hand the party over to him, to do as he wished.
They knew very well they didnt have the capacity and competence to give what they have offered. In fact, it is like somebody offering what he cannot give, what he doesnt have. So they now played up this before him and very unfortunately, he fell for that bait.
So, that is why I will always blame the Umeh group, for the deceit that has caused so much trepidation in Igbo land. Igbo people, as I had prayed before and I will continue to pray, should come out of this even more united.
But let me emphasise that Igbo people should hold Victor Umeh eternally responsible for the embarrassment he has caused an icon of Ikembas calibre.
Ikemba also claimed that what he is pre-occupied with now is trying to facilitate a process of healing that will bring back the party and make it stronger.
He is eminently qualified to initiate any moves that will bring about peace in Igbo land. As for doing that in APGA, there is a problem. That was why I lamented that the man who should be an arbiter, has become a party to the crisis, and then I asked the big rhetorical question, who will then arbitrate?
So, it becomes a big problem. You see APGA is a national political party. It is not an Igbo cultural association. So if you want to heal anything in APGA, you must be operating at the national level. You must know that the source of the stream must be clean for the downstream to be drinkable.
You cannot stay in Enugu and call a meeting of Igbo people and say that APGA is being healed. You see, this is the problem Umeh, again, has created for the great leader himself. Look at what they did; they constituted a Board of Trustees made up of only two persons Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as chairman and Dr. Tim Menakaya, as member. All from Anambra State.
It didnt bother Umeh that he was just ridiculing APGA and trying to destroy what we have tried to build over the years as a national political party. The constitution of APGA has provided for a 24-member Board of Trustees that will reflect federal character, in which every member must not be less than 50 years.
In fact, to complete their comic exercise, they put the name of Chief John Okam, a current member of the Board of Trustees of the ANPP and the name of Ambassador Godwin Onyegbule, a career diplomat who recently retired as an ambassador, who has never carried the membership card of any political party. Without consulting the man, they just put his name on the pages of newspapers.
So they have two non-APGA members and two APGA members. That is why I said they have only two members in their Board of Trustees, making the whole thing very laughable.
Many discerning political observers are beginning to perceive the crisis from the prism of an intra-ethnic feud between Anambra and the rest of Igbo land
That is what the unfortunate picture is beginning to look like, and that is why I will continue to emphasize that posterity will not forgive Victor Umeh for trying to destroy the very fragile unity that many of us had worked on for several years.
The general view everywhere, even in the market place now is that this is between Anambra and the rest of Igbo and it is unfortunate. There are so many patriotic Igbo people in Anambra State, many of who are working very assiduously for the growth of APGA.
But Umeh came like a bull in the China shop to destroy everything that we tried to erect, without any regard to the constitution, to the rule of law. I am glad today that his nemesis has pushed him to the law court where he went to surreptitiously obtain an injunction to restrain me from functioning as the chairman of APGA. But we got the information and filed a counter petition to defend ourselves and so the substantive matter is coming up on Monday, before Hon. Justice Gumi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
And that will be his waterloo because he knows that there is no way he can sustain an argument in court that a treasurer who is number 10 in the line of succession in APGA, can suddenly become a chairman of the party, even in acting capacity. For the information of the public, if the chairman is not there, we have two deputy chairmen.
If the two deputy chairmen are not there, you have six zonal chairmen, national vice chairman, who would in turn take over. When these people are not there, it goes to the national secretary.
After that, it is the national treasurer. So, he is number 10, in the line of succession. So even if for any reason he succeeds in court, even if the law is turned upside down and Victor Umeh succeeds in court he will still not take over. It will take his next incarnation, to become chairman of APGA.
And because he doesnt understand the constitution of the party he belongs to, he keeps moving from one stupid action to another, so he is now in court. One thing I have gained from being in court is that from Monday, smearing the image of Chief Chekwas Okorie, which is his past time, becomes subjudice.
So, I can now concentrate on the main business of APGA while the case lasts in court.
Posts: 12 | From: Toronto Canada | Registered: Jan 2005
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I am concern about some things Ojukwu has said in this interview. I hope he does not trust Obasanjo, because it is the same Obasanjo that steal Igbo vote. -------------------------------------------------
"To be quite honest, I saw the president recently, and he maintained that a dialogue is the answer but I dont go on taking positions. We have to wait for the government to let us know why he prefers a dialogue to a conference. I will tell you my problem about the dialogue, the little English I learnt in Oxford tells me that a dialogue is between two people or parties and I didnt feel that the answer to Nigerias problems today is Obasanjo versus the rest of the country, no. I didnt like the dichotomy already implicit in the whole thing. What I am after is a round table where every Nigerian remotely has a say. I dont like the idea that Mr. President was confirming my fears by practically himself nominating everybody who will participate. Well, if I say that I am going to have a national dialogue and on one side I stay here and my wife will be there, my first son, and second son, you know immediately, even if it is not wrong but to on-lookers, they will say theres something odd about this thing. That is what I am saying. Again whatever right I give to myself, before anything I accept that Obasanjo has the same right so he has his opinion but please allow me to have mine, thats all. We are saying that we need a Sovereign National Conference and we have people of requisite experience and knowledge to give us advice and make contributions that would make Nigeria a better place for all of us. The aim is to make Nigeria better; the aim is not for Ndigbo to be better, if it is making Nigeria better of course Ndigbo will be better as they will feel the impact of a better Nigeria. If he wants, he can call me and I will tell him what will make Nigeria better, anytime."
Posts: 12 | From: Toronto Canada | Registered: Jan 2005
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You should not be concerned. If you read in between the lines, you will noitce that Ojukwu spoke on behalf of the people, quite republican, I must add.
Hail Biafra
Posts: 1673 | From: Minnesota USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Let it be very clear that there is no written agreement that I or anyone on this board should play follow follow to Ojukwu. So, I don't know why some follow follow goats here are urinating in their pants over views that they disagree with on this issue.
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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