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Analysis

Change must come to Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide

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A lot of people seem to forget that prior to 1914, there was no Nigeria. Every ethnic nationality had its own system of government, and looked after themselves accordingly until they were brought together in the Ist January 1914 Amalgamation.

In 1960, Nigeria was granted political independence with a structure and political arrangement which allowed the regions, not necessarily ethnic nationalities to govern themselves and achieve much social and economic progress for their peoples, before the military intervened in the governance of Nigeria.

Shortly before the civil war started, Gen Yakubu Gowon enacted a Decree Number 8 of 1967, which gave the federal government authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the twelve states that he created.

The Decree and it’s implications imbued the federal government with extraordinary importance and significance, and it became the center of attraction for every ethnic group, because the fortunes of the regions and ethnic groups were now a function of the ethnic group in power at the center and calling the shots in government.

Due to this escalation of central power, political parties began to swing towards sociocultural groups through which they educate, sensitize and mobilize their ethnic nationalities to strategize on how to capture power at the center.

Hence the Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide, each of which try to use their politicians to influence the government and power at the center.

But, if the truth be told nobody can look back and point to any tangible achievements by the Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has not been able to articulate the Igbo interest in Nigeria, which it can pursue, using it’s foot soldiers in the political arena, as done by the Arewa Consultative Forum, the Afenifere, and other sociopolitical groups.

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This anomaly the Igbo should correct, and the organ to achieve this must be a strong and formidable organization, but unfortunately this has not been the case, because rather than the Ohanaeze to direct the political affairs of Ndigbo, it is the politicians who now direct the affairs of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

I am a nationalistic Igbo, and was born Igbo before becoming a Nigerian. Being Igbo has never distracted me from my duties to the Nigerian state, and this can be attested to by my meritorious service to the nation as a military officer and commander.

However, I want the good of the Igbo nation at every point in time. I want the Igbo to be part and parcel of the Nigerian State as a whole, not as dismembered parts.

This is what led me in 2020 to hold a press statement recommending and appealing that the Ohanaeze election of 2021 be based on cultural and not political considerations.

If it was a prophecy, perhaps I have been proved right, because till now the Ohanaeze has been in court after that election.

Between that January 10, 2021 till today, the Ohanaeze has not made any meaningful contribution to Ndigbo.

Ohanaeze has not been able to fight for the release of Nnamdi Kanu just as the Afenifere fought for the release of Igboho and Sowore.

Also, just like the Fulani and other Northerners have been securing the release, pardon and rehabilitation of the Boko Haram terrorists despite the blood in their violent hands.

The same political intrigue is playing out again. If we want the survival of the Ohanaeze, which will translate to the survival of Ndigbo as a nation, we must do all we can to depoliticize the body, especially partisan politics.

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My 2021 press conference is even more relevant today as it was at that time, because I have always advised against permitting Ohanaeze to become a tool of political scheming by professional politicians.

Additionally, the rationale for purchasing forms for offices is difficult to establish.

The argument that it is to reduce number of contestants is devoid of reason and wisdom.

Even if it is to raise funds, the job is a sacrificial service to kinsmen; which office they seek do not have any constitutional renumeration.

Should people pay for an offices that has no renumeration? That is a contradiction that must be corrected immediately.


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