Ohaneze Demands True Federalism, Rejects Secession

Paschal Emeka, Abuja | Posted October 17, 2023

Amidst the ongoing campaign for secession of the South East from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by some separatist group, the president, Ohaneze Ndigbo in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Barr Augustine Amaechi says that of Igbo elders are not demanding separation, but restructuring, that would usher the country into a true federalism.

The Igbo socio – cultural organisation chieftain spoke to our correspondent at the a reception organised by the Ohaneze Ndigbo in the 19 Northern states and FCT, for its President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in Abuja, recently.

Barr. Amaechi observed that the country is a federation, but regrets that the practice is unitary. For that, he suggests going back to federalism practiced in 1963, where the units were autonomous and contributed to the centre, contrary to what is obtainable today.

“Ohaneze is not demanding for seperation, but for restructuring, so that every Nigerian can enjoy the country called Nigeria; so that each unit would develop at its pace.

“A situation where one man sit in Abuja and tell you about the roads in Badagry, Enugu, Borno and decide if cbildren in those areas would go to school, among others is not good for the country’s development.

“Federal Government should control the soldiers, currency and international relations. They should not get involved in everything.

“Ojukwu and Gowon agreed on confederation at Aburi, but the bureaucrats in the North rejected it and that caused the civil war.”

The Ohaneze chieftain criticised the enforcers of Mondays’ sit – at – home, in the South East and other vices associated with it, because of it’s negative effect on the economy and the wellbeing of the people.

He however urged the Federal Government to obey the Court of Appeal’s order and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Barr Amaechi believed that Kanu’s release would restore sanity and improve security in the South East, even as he attributed the continuation of Mondays’ sit at home to an order from someone in Finland, contrary to the decision of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

While condemning violence allegedly being perpetrated by those seeking an independent state of Biafra, he quoted the late leader of the defunct Biafra Republic Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who said that “Biafra of today is that of concept of the mind; education, development and industrialisstion, not that of gun, separation and if there is going to be that of seperation, it will be followed lawfully.”

Barr Amaechi commended NdIgbo and the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi at the last presidential election and gave him kudos for good battle politically, adding that Igbo man’s position in Nigeria cannot be written without challenges, which according to him are sumountable, citing political trajectory of Ndigbo as an example.

He however said that if given presidency, it would give NdIgbo an opportunity to contribute their quota to Nigeria’s development.

He added that NdIgbo contribute to Nigeria’s development in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, among other areas by, among others, paying taxes; building houses, schools, just as he urged doubting Thomas to verify.

Stating clearly that NdIgbo are good in investors and urged them to heed to Late Ojukwu’s advice. He recalled that the Late Ikemba Nnewi told the Igbos who reside outside the South East to remember Igboland when mzking investment decisions.

Barr. Amaechi therefore advised the people to be patient and have faith in God. He observed that eonomically, they weren’t doing badly, informing that after the war, each Igbo man that had money in the bank was given N20,000, but today, according to him: “We have billionaires and shall get to the presidency one day.”