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Originally posted by Greg: People might have begun to have very high expectations indeed; something Aremu did not want to happen. He just wanted politics as usual with its attendant rubber-stamping of all his pet projects, namely, a third term. [/QB]

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Friday, February 18, 2005


Abia protests alteration of nominees' list, govt explains decision
From Madu Onuorah, (Abuja), Gordi Udeajah, (Umuahia)

ABIA State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu on Wednesday protested the Presidency's alteration of the list of nominees the state submitted for the National Political Reform Conference.

The state government has also requested that the original list be reverted to.

This, The Guardian learnt, was contained in the state's protest letter to President Obasanjo.

A nominee's name was dropped from the governor's list and substituted with another without his (the governor') knowledge.

Kalu, in his letter, said he was surprised to read from the published final list of delegates that one of his nominees, Chief Lambert Nmecha, had been substituted with one Vincent Brown, never nominated by Abia State.

The governor then demanded that the President should "kindly delete Vincent Brown's name and replace it with Chief Lambert Nmecha's."
But the Presidency yesterday, in a swift reaction, said the list from the Abia State government was altered because one of the nominees failed security screening.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media), Mrs. Oluremi Oyo, told State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that when this was noticed, efforts were made to contact Governor Kalu on the development and get him to replace the dropped nominee. This, according to her, proved abortive.

As a result of the inability of the government to contact Kalu, President Obasanjo, she said, contacted the Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara and other leaders of thought from the state who made the new nomination that appeared on the list released on Wednesday.

The President, Oyo explained, had no reason whatsoever to tamper with any state list to the national conference except over a serious matter as the case in question in Abia State.

She said: "President has respect for all members of the National Council of State, including all Governors and former Presidents and Heads of State. There is no reason to tamper with any list unless it is based on very serious factors as it was in this case."
Oyo also said that the government has not received any official notice from Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and University teacher, Dr. Bala Usman, rejecting their nominations to the national conference.`

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Yea right
How can Mr Lambert nmecha fail security when even ex convicts are part of this list. Who is doing this screening. I smell something here, who knows may be that is why Ojukwu was not invited he could pose a security risk.
-Biafra

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Without delving into more details it is apparent that Obasanjo's dialogue is no more than his monologue echoed by a selected audience. What is Ojukwu's strategy? How does he hope to make an impact given the imbalance in favour of the ruling dictator?

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It occurs to me that it is entirely possible that there was no deal between OBJ and Ikemba, especially since he was not appointed to this dialogue. Why not this, instead of giving Aremu credit for deceiving him, which credit may not be due him. Perceptions only, not any facts, give Aremu this credit and Ikemba this disgrace. Greg

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My criticism is that his response to Obasanjo's proposed dialogue didn't make sense at all. His acceptance of APGA chairmanship and making a donation of 500, 000 naira at the same time is bizarre, to say the least. From where I was watching, both his responses to APGA crisis and Obasanjo dialogue seemed like desperate measures. I don't know why he resorted to these measures.

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Brother, if you know, or can remember, is this the first time that Ikemba's character(honesty)and word has been called into question.
-Greg

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Ojukwu reflects

• As FG names chairman
ENUGU— FORMER Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu has exploded, declaring his exclusion from the list of delegates to the proposed National Dialogue as one of the tragedies of Nigeria. He said he was disappointed to read in the papers that "my name was not there." Meanwhile, President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday approved the appointment of Principal Officers of the National Political Reforms Conference.
A statement from the Secretary of the Government of the Federation stated that Justice Niki Tobi, (Justice of the Supreme Court) is the Chairman, Alhaji Sule Katagum (Wazirin Katagum), Deputy Chairman, Rev. Father M. Kukah Secretary and Mr. A.S. Arikawe Deputy Secretary. The appointments are with immediate effect, he said.
Ojukwu told reporters at his Independence Layout residence in Enugu yesterday, that it was the wish of the people of the South East that he should be present at the conference and this informed the approach made to me by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo to lead Igbo delegates to the dialogue, but it had become clear that some people were not comfortable with his participation.
He, however, said that he had consolation in the fact that he contributed to the preparation of the documents for the conference, adding that his views were properly documented and reflected as Igbo agenda for the dialogue.
Apart from his exclusion from the confab, the Ikemba is also not happy that former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and erstwhile Secretary General of Ohanaeze and a constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, were not considered for the conference either by the Federal Government or the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige who was given six slots.
Why do you think your name was dropped?
Was it there in the first place? To drop, it had to be there and as far as I know, I have had no official notification that my name was there in the first place. But we got to know that your name was there with that of Ohanaeze Ndigbo president, but when the list of delegates was published, it was missing. Let’s not play around. It is not my intention to play around. Without mincing words, I was disappointed to read that my name wasn’t there.
I know that till now, what I am saying to you, it is the wish of the people of the South East zone and perhaps other people even beyond to see me there. I am disappointed and I must confess that each time I am called upon to do anything for Ndigbo, I feel honoured. So you see, there was no mention of me.
The Ohanaeze had talked to me before, indicating that they would not only wish me to participate but in fact, to lead the Igbo delegation. I am happy that I was able, at least, to contribute to the preparation of the documents for the conference, unless there is any sudden change. I believe that however, my views are properly documented and reflected as Igbo agenda for the meeting.
That I was not chosen is essentially one of the tragedies of Nigeria. I said very often and in so many words, that I am one Nigerian that the authorities in Nigeria have not permitted to be Nigerian whenever there is something to be done for some unknown reasons, it becomes clear that they don’t want me to participate.
I don’t know what they are afraid of. Intellectually too, I must say, I always laugh particularly at things like this. It is clear to me that somebody doesn’t want to confront my argument in the dialogue. Whether they like it or not, they will not confront my arguments, they will confront my views. It is not just those who attend the conference that are patriots, there will be quite a lot of us outside the conference that will be doing our best to be of service to our people.
These views you talked about, what are they like?
They are like human views given by a human being, offered in the hope that Nigerians will find acceptable and they would assist in making Nigeria a better place for all of us. Before this time, you have spoken in public places in support of the confab.
Looking at the events that led to the emergence of the list, do you suspect that Ohanaeze may have decided on their own to drop you or compelled by the authorities to do so?
I don’t know. But the leaders of Ohanaeze that I know are not men that will be made to change the national stance because they were subjected to arm twist. So let’s look at the situation to see if we can find the cause. It is true that the name is not there but after all, is it really only the Ohanaeze? I come from Anambra State. Anambra State nominated six people. Why? They had six to nominate and I was not part of this six. Ohanaeze had two and you focused all your attention on Ohanaeze, which produced only two members and not only that, Mr. President himself had so many, he didn’t nominate me. He nominated a lot of people and mind you, I say this without any equivocation, God forbid that I should attend such a meeting or dialogue without the mandate of my people.
Don’t you think your absence will affect the view you have made in the agenda?
I hope not. But then you see, touch me. I am merely human and could do what is humanly possible. I gave them advice; I helped in preparation of the documents. I do and I have done all that I can do without being there myself and if I want to change it, there is another way by becoming the President of Nigeria (laughter).
Are there other Nigerians who you think should have been nominated?
On the Igbo side, I can talk with some authority. I certainly believe that Alex Ekwueme and Ben Nwabueze most certainly should be among the delegates. J.S.P. Nwokolo who happens to be a good friend of the big boss should have been there also.

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I certainly believe that Alex Ekwueme and Ben Nwabueze most certainly should be among the delegates. J.S.P. Nwokolo who happens to be a good friend of the big boss should have been there also.

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Dialogue: Ojukwu angry over exclusion •FG names chairman, secretary

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Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on Friday expressed angry at his exclusion from the National Political Reforms Conference, beginning on Monday.

He spoke just as President Olusegun Obasanjo named serving Supreme Court justice, Justice Niki Tobi and Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah as the chairman and secretary respectively of the NPRC.

Alhaji Sule Katagum and Mr. Akinlofe Arikawe were appointed as deputy chairman and deputy secretary.

Speaking at his Enugu residence, Ojukwu said, “Without mincing words, I was disappointed to read that my name was not on the list. Because I know that till now, it is the wish of the people of the South-East zone and perhaps even beyond. I’m naturally disappointed. I must confess that each time I’m called upon to do anything for Ndigbo, I feel honoured.

“That I was not chosen is essentially one of the tragedies of Nigeria. I have said often that I’m the one Nigerian whom the authorities of Nigeria have not permitted to be a Nigerian. Whenever there is something to be done, something will happen that will make my name drop from it. It is clear to me that somebody doesn’t want to confront my arguments at the dialogue. But whether they like it or not, they will confront my views because I was part of the processes that produce an agenda for Ndigbo.

“Ohanaeze has talked to me before not only indicating that they would want me to participate, but to even lead the Igbo delegation.”

Ojukwu’s exclusion had sent shock waves across the nation as reports had indicated last week that he was nominated by Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

However, the Presidency denied receiving his name on any list.

But, the Chief Press Secretary to the Anambra State governor, Mr. Chuks Akunna, said on Friday that Governor Chris Ngige was making frantic efforts to ensure that Ojukwu is invited to the national conference.

He said on telephone that the state government did not nominate the Biafran warlord because it did not want to localise his status, adding that it had expected that the federal government would nominate Ojukwu as one of its representatives because of his status as an elderstatesman.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Ethnic Nationalities Forum which was held at Ojukwu’s residence in Enugu accused the federal government of hiding under the guise of the NPRC to prepare an unpopular constitution which it intends to foist on Nigerians.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, which was also attended by Chief Olu Falae, General Alani Akinrinade, Chief Solomon Asemota, Chief Nnia Nwodo, ENF contended that government did not consider the interest of the Nigerian people when it decided to organise the NPRC. It added that ethnic nationalities had campaigned over the years for a Sovereign National Conference and that at the end of the day, what government had to offer fell short of the expectations of Nigerians.

ENF, which also touched on the forthcoming census, stated that all known criteria for headcounts as outlined by the United National Organization must be included in the enumeration.

The PUNCH had on Thursday exclusively reported that Tobi and Kukah were among the principal officers of the conference which begins on Monday.

Saturday Punch, February 19, 2005

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What about JSP Nwokolo whom Ojukwu placed under House arrest as a Sabo during the war? The man whose help it is alleged, Obasanjo used to conquer Igboland during the civil war? Who was so rewarded by the Genocidal federal army that he could afford to buy a significant part of Enugu with £22,000 after the war when every other Igbo man was give £20?
This is the man Ojukwu wants to represent Nd'Igbo!---by Wacko

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Among major stakeholders at the meeting were, Dr. Tim Menakaya, Chief J. S. P. Nwokolo, Mr. Peter Obi, Alhaji Sani A. Shinkafi (National Secretary), Dr. Innocent Ekwo, Dr. Mike Adams, Mr. Ogometu Ngonetu, Alhaji Mohammed Kuti, Chief Chris Ndigwe, Mrs. Ella Nwabueze, Alhaji Sadiq Masara, Mr. Ben Akuma, Alhaja Binta Gwarzo and Alhaji Habib Gazo.

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"As far as I am concerned, the matter of Christopher Onwuchekwa Okorie is finished."

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Ojukwu made the same pronouncement concerning Ohaneze just two years ago but just scroll up and read his stand on ohaneze today. I have news for ojukwu: No serious nation will sacrifice posterity for some failed history no matter what rhetoric is employed or who is rented by the latter.

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On a personal note, I had been called a land grabber and what have you but the Ihewusi Onuato quarters of Ogui Nike who own this land can still testify that not only did I pursue this matter without any fees, I planned and developed a layout for them at my own expense and yet paid them a handsome amount of 22,500 (British) pounds and when their kith and kin the Umunevo quarters who were not part of the original deal with the Catholic Church kicked and said they should be included, another 6,000 pounds was paid. I am sure you do know the worth of 28,500 pounds in 1970 -1971 when all Biafrans were receiving 20 pounds as prescribed by the then Nigerian government for whatever they had in their bank accounts before the civil war. For those who care, they may cross-check these leases in the Enugu Land Registry - 79/79/479 of 7th April, 88/88/479 of 22nd June and 99/99/479 of 2nd September 1971. Also this $28,500 did not include the cost of over twenty goats and other handouts. It may be important to ask how I could have come to that type of money at that time. Most of that money came from Brother James and Brother Francis, who belived very much in me.

--by JSP Nwokolo

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Furthermore, the vigilance and diligent of the administrator put paid to Ukabaosi attempt in his usual manner to open a duplicate thread under the disguise of a