*Senator Ubah understands dynamism of politics-Gov Uzodimma *Ubah has the capacity to deliver, the capacity to go to Abuja, deliver-Prof Victor
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee including the National Chairman of the party, Ahaji Abdullahi Danduje, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, the party’s South East Organizing Secretary, Mr Dozie Ikedife (jnr), among many others stormed Nnewi Anambra State on Friday to discuss the position of Ndigbo in national politics.
The event sponsored by the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah with the theme “De- Marginalization of South East Zone and Integration Into National Politics” took a deep look into the cry of the Igbo and the possible way to ameliorate the situation.
The Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Prof Charles Esimone delivered a keynote address where he diagnosed the causes of Igbo marginalization to include absence of a reliable national census, ethnocentric trait, the flaws in 1999 Nigeria Constitution, the political structure, among others.
He noted that the current political structure in Nigeria in no small measure works against the South East, causing marginalization of the zone.
Esimone faulted the political representation. He pinpointed the imbalance where two states in other regions could have equivalent representation to the entire South East in Abuja.
He also indicated the imbalance in the number of states in Nigeria, with the South East having only five compared to others having up to six states or more.
He advised that the Igbo should think in line of realignment with other ethnic nationalities to achieve a faster political reintegration.
Ganduje in his statement described as political dislocation for Anambra State to continue to remain in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), instead of being part and parcel of national politics. He noted that the marginalization of South East was rather a consequence of political miscalculations by the people of the zone.
He said the political miscalculation has resulted in political dislocation in the South East and would continue until liberation comes, if Anambra state could dump the APGA in the forthcoming 2025 governorship election to embrace the APC to be in national politics.
“Anambra is the only place where APGA is in power in the nation. APC is poised to take over Anambra State for political salvation. Anambra should join the progressives. Anambra is viable and strategic to national development.
“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, innovative, and competitive and this is the basis of the Nigerian economy today.
“Anambra is not making the progress 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 had been superlative performances on that isolated platform it would have been a different thing. This is a vivid case of selfish politics.
“Other states have joined APC, but Anambra’s refusal to connect to the centre has denied her people the infrastructure and other benefits. You have to be at 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.”
The South East Governors’ Forum Chairman, Governor Uzodimma on his part said that was the first time a conversation of that type (marginalization of the South East) received national attention.
He said every sickness needed diagnosis before doctor commenced treatment. In his analogy, the APC had acknowledged that South East had been diagnosed, saying that the next was the drug to be applied.
Governor Uzodimma mentioned national integration, national cohesion and national unity as the panacea to South East marginalization.
“We crave for a Nigeria where equity, justice and fair play will be the order of the day. We must resolve to be part and parcel of the ruling party.
“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 a 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 that we can use to exit from this political isolation.
“I’m 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, ”Governor Uzodimma said.
One of the panelists, Prof Victor U. said it was important for the Igbo to acknowledge self marginalization. He mentioned the paradox and dilemma of self marginalization which he said the Igbo should drop.
“APC has started integrating the Igbo with the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill as it will address infrastructure decay in the South East.
“I see Senator Ubah as a young man with a purpose, with a passion and capacity. Don’t allow the passion to change the narrative of the Igbo to die. Ubah has the capacity to deliver, the capacity to go to Abuja and deliver, “the Prof said.
Another panelist, the former Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr Nkem Okeke who spoke on the prospects of the South East Development Commission Bill which was introduced by Senator Ubah now waiting for Presidential Assent, said the Bill would address infrastructure and human capital development, insecurity and Regional integration.
He noted that when the Bill is signed into law and operational that it would take the people of the South East away from poverty as more industries would spring up.
Dr Okeke noted that states would exploit comparative advantage to maximize human and capital resources for the overall development of the South East zone.
An elated Senator Ubah reaffirmed his resolve to be part of the reintegration of Anambra state and Ndigbo by extension into national politics as a member of the APC. He said that the party meant well for the Igbo and should be joined by others who have not done so.
He thanked the leadership of the party who he said left all they were doing to come to Anambra for the discourse.
