Unity of Nigeria not Unnegotiable – Mbazuluike Amaechi, Others speak

The only surviving nationalist, first republic minister of Aviation, and a member of the Zikist Movement, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi has called for the renegotiation of the unity of Nigeria to bring about equity for all.

The 91 years former minister spoke yesterday at a press conference organised by Global Movement for Igbo Presidency (GLOMIP) at his home in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, where the group called on him to lend his voice to the call for Igbo Presidency.

Amaechi insisted that nothing was unnegotiable, including the unity of Nigeria, especially if the negotiation will bring about equity and equality, and also quell agitations by parts of the country.

Amaechi said, “Whatever concerns the betterment of Nigeria, I will always take part in it. I’m the only surviving member of our set.

“We know how hard we fought to achieve independence for Nigeria, and up till today, I still look forward to a better Nigeria. Whatever concerns Nigeria, I will not take backseat, that is why I accepted when I was told to be a part of this press conference by GLOMIP.

“I am one of those who fought for the independence. I suffered incarceration, and apart from being a member of NCNC, I was a member of the Zikist movement, the radical wing of the party. I have been in prison many times because of independence of Nigeria and my first imprisonment was at the age of 21.

“There is need to come together and renegotiate the basis of our unity for equity sake. This part of the country (South east) has been marginalized for too long. Only renegotiation will quell the agitations by some people in the country.”

Going back memory lane, the nationalist said, “We the Zikist Movement always went in and out of prison those days, and I remember that each time someone came out of prison, we organized a reception for him and in the midst of that, we always gave out white caps to them with the inscription – PG, meaning, Prison Graduate, and we always wore it with pride to public places, even in motorparks.

“I remember that we fought this fight without any ulterior motive. It was after independence that someone recommended me for minister, saying that I suffered too much in the struggle. That was how I became the youngest minister of the first republic.

“In 1966, the military struck, and from one military head to another for 38 years, and Nigeria became a stinking cesspool of coruption. There is need to salvage the country and we pray whoever that can salvage her, let God throw him up in 2023.”

Leader GLOMIP, Comrade Kennedy Iyere who addressed journalists said the solution Nigeria is looking for is with the Igbos, and that someone from the zone needs to be given the chance to fix the country.

“Nigeria deserves a better country than what we have today, and we know that. The reason for the formation of this group is to drive the Igbo Presidency, and we know that our Daddy (Amaechi) will be alive to see it happen in 2023.”

Also speaking, former minister of women’s affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih said that the group is not only asking for an Igbo man to be president, but that the Igbo man must come from the South east zone.

“That president must not only come from Igbo land, but he must come from the South east. That zone that has been long denied everything good, that zone that has been decimated and neglected, that is where the president must come from.

“That is why each time I hear people say Igbo president, I try to correct them that it is not just Igbo president, but Igbo president of South east extraction for Nigeria. That president will not be a president for Igbo people only or for people of the South east, but an Igbo man, who is from the South east to become president for Nigeria,” she stated.

Former president of Inter- party advisory council, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu while lauding the GLOMIP movement said that the movement is a clear trajectory for Nigeria and Africa to move on. He said that the new coalition with lead the Igbo presidency journey to 2023. He also said that it is not out of place if the Igbos feel that this is their time to rescue the country.

Prof Emmanuel J. C. Duru Southeast Zonal coordinator for Better Nigeria Initiative said that their mission is to make sure that major political parties in the country zone their presidential candidate to southeast come 2023 election.

“Since the cepption or contraption of the country, every other political zone has governed the country except the southeast at that level both in erstwhile military government and the democratic government.

“The demand for the UBNI is for fairness and equity sense of belonging in political administration of the entity called nigeria. He said the agenda is to sensitize the South Easterners, the entire Igbos and other ethnic groups.

Engr Michael Iloegbunam said Igbo Presidency is long overdue adding that this is a cause that should have been achieved years back. He urged Igbos to sit up to occupy their position noting that the region has long played second fiddle in the leadership of the country. He warned that the the region will not tolerate anything below presidency in the 2023 election.

Also, Former president of Nigeria community in United Arabs Emirate and GLOMIP mobilization officer, Godsown Onyeka Obieze said “equal right and justice begat peace”. He said if fairness and equity is to be installed in the country an Igbo man must be given opportunity to rule the country.