The 1999 Nigeria constitution as amended and lack of credible census have been identified by the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof Charles Esimone as the major tools for the marginalization of people of the South East.
Esimone stated this yesterday in Nnewi, during a colloquium of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the theme: De-marginalization of South East and integration into national politics.
The colloquium which was for the South East was organized by the senator representing Anambra South senatorial zone, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Esimone who was the resource person said it is no longer a lie that the current political arrangement in Nigeria does not favour the South East and that it is true to say that the South East is marginalized.
He said: “It does not make sense that South East that two states in other parts of the country can equal the entire representations of the entire South East in Abuja. It does not also make sense that the South East has only five states, while others have six.
“The question is who is marginalizing the South East? The first is the Nigerian constitution and the second is credible census. Without credible constitution there will never be equity.
“I accept that mediocrity can breed marginalization, but Ndigbo can not be described as mediocres. We must realign and align properly or the journey will take longer than expected,” Esimone said.
National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje who was at the colloquium said marginalization is rather as a result of miscalculations by the people of the South East. He said such miscalculations has kept Anambra State in political dislocation, and that it would continue to be so until the state dumps All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Ganduje said: “We are here for the South East colloquium, but I prefer to speak about Anambra where we are. Igbo are part of ingredients of national integration, they are the most travelled and most enterprising people in Nigeria. They are creative, innovation, competitive and this is the basis of Nigerian economy today.
“Anambra is not making the progresses needed. Anambra has had Peter Obi, Obiano and now Soludo all from APGA as its governors, and that is 25 years of political dislocation for this state.
“They need to join the ruling political party and they will be happy and better for it. Why should Anambra continue to live in isolation. If there have been superlative performances on that isolated platform it would have been a different thing. This is a vivid case if selfish politics.
“Other states have joined APC, but Anambra’s refusal to connect to the center has denied her people the infrastructure and other benefits. You have to be in the table to negotiate what comes to you and if you are not on the table, no one will speak for you. Anambra is the only place where APGA is in government and the party has refused to grow.”
Also, Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma said the good thing about the colloquium is that the APC has also come to agree that the South East is marginalized.
“The good thing is that the National Chairman of our party is part of the team of doctors that diagnosed this. There is need for national integration, cohesion and unity, so that we can have a pan Nigerian project.
“If we are craving for a Nigeria where equity and fair play will prevail, then we must be in the room where the affairs of the country will be discussed. We must rise from this room and resolve to be a part of the ruling party.
“We must go with capable men and women who will enjoy acceptance. We only need to understand the Nigerian political demography and create a corridor where we can use to exit from this political isolation.
“I’m a here to welcome Ifeanyi Ubah into our party. He has proven to understand the dynamism required to navigate the political sphere. He came to the Senate through an unknown political party and if he can associate with a known political party, he will do more.
“A time will come when those who helped Igbo to escape political marginalization will be counted. I want to be counted as one who participated in creating an escape corridor for Ndigbo to escape marginalization.”
David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
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