2019 Igbo presidency: We’re not interested in Nigeria’s politics of compensation —IPOB
IPOB protests: Infrastructure state of emergency should be declared in S/East —IMC
…Biafra agitators’ll face the law if they kill
APC distances self from MASSOB killings

By Simon Ebegbulem,  Enyim Enyim & Nwabueze Okonkwo

THe All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly address squarely the vexed issue of marginalization of the South East to end the present protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.

Addressing reporters in Awka, Anambra State, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, noted that the present restiveness of the two bodies stemmed from the perceived age-long marginalization of the race which needed immediate attention.

2019 Igbo Presidency

Meanwhile, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, had described as political compensation, the kite being flown by some Northern elders to the effect that Ndigbo would be allowed to prodduce the president in 2019.

Buhari

Spokesman of the IPOB, Emma Powerful, yesterday, on the issue, said, they were not interested in Nigeria’s affairs any longer, adding that those flying the kite of Igbo presidency in 2019 were merely a distraction.

However, Obi-Okoye  advised the groups against violence in the country as it would paralyze economic activities  that would not augur well for anybody.

He said: “APGA certainly will not support a situation where protests by any form are used to disrupt the economic life of the peaceful people of the South East and endanger the continued existence of Ndigbo in other parts of the country.

“Much as we as a political party do not subscribe to violence nor break-down of law and order, it is important that the two bodies carry out their activities within the ambit of the law.  We are reliably informed that these protests which hitherto were non-violent, later turned out to become messy and bloody, leading to arson and loss of lives.

“Investigations also revealed that a combined team of security operatives involving the army, police and the navy had been deployed to bring order to the protests.

“The party, however, commends the governors of the South East, who as chief security officers in their respective states have shown considerable maturity and responsibility in handling the protests.

spirit of equity, justice

“APGA urges President Buhari to look more into the plight of the South East in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play in order to address the fundamental issues of marginalization of the South East zone to ensure the frustrations which gave rise to the protests are addressed in the interest of a united federation and sustenance of one and indivisible Nigerian nation.”

On his part, Powerful said, what IPOB wants was the release their leader, Nnamdi Kanu from detention and to allow Biafrans to go and not to play politics of compensation by telling Ndigbo that they will become the president in 2019, apparently to douse tension.

Politics of compensation

He recalled that politics of compensation was played during the June 12, 1993 saga when the Yoruba were compensated with Olusegun Obasanjo presidency in place of M.K.O. Abiola’s annulled election, just as President Buhari was compensated because of Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him: “If politics of compensation was used to favour Obasanjo in place of June 12 annulment and was also used to favour Buhari in place insurgency, that is their own cup of tea. But for us in IPOB, we are not interested in that politics of compensation whereby we are being told that an Igboman will become Nigeria’s president in 2019 and we will begin to listen to them.

“All we want or are interested in is the release our leader, Kanu and then allow Biafra to be and not Igbo presidency,” he added.

Decayed road network

Speaking separately, Director-General of Igbo Mandate Congress, IMC, Rev. Obinna Akukwe reiterated that “President Buhari must be told today that the decayed road network must be rehabilitated in the interest of peace and tranquillity.”

“President Buhari must fix the roads. Look at the Onitsha/Enugu Express, Enugu/Port Harcourt, Nnewi/Okigwe Road, the River Port has not been functional, Enugu Airport should have infrastructure as an international airport and jobs created for the teeming youths.

“Those IPOB, MASSOB and Biafra Zionist leader, Ben Onwuka and their members, who are still being held in detention should be unconditionally released and amnesty granted to those who need them and skill acquisition/trade provided.”

On political appointments, he said: “Leaders should not be imposed on the Igbo, they should be allowed to say who will lead them.  Again, we will not accept money being given to those elders, who call themselves our representatives because they pocket the money to the detriment of the people of the region.

“We have spoken to our Igbo brothers in the 19 northern states that they should not leave the area because of the uprising from Boko Haram and other insurgencies. Rather, the Northern governors, Emirs, religious leaders and other stakeholders should ensure the safety of Ndigbo and their property in the area and Ndigbo themselves should try and invest at home.”

Criminal to destroy innocent lives

Meanwhile, former Minister of Information and chieftain of  APC, Prince Tony Momoh had cautioned those agitating for the state of Biafra against killings and destruction of property, saying that it was criminal to destroy innocent lives in the name of protest.

Noting that they were exercising their rights by protesting but that it should be done according to the laws of the nation, while speaking with journalists in Auchi, Edo State, he expressed optimism that the nation will come out stronger after the current hardship, which according to him, was caused by years of misrule.

He insisted that Nigeria would remain one indivisible nation despite the current agitations from the South East.

“Those protesting should also know that if they kill or destroy property  of people, they will be held accountable for their actions because those whose property were destroyed have the right to seek justice.

“They have the right to protest, just as any other group has the right to protest because that is their only reaction to what they consider as injustice, but the fact is that protest has its limitations.

“If people say they are protesting and start destroying people’s property, there is a body set up to ensure that people are free to own property and be alive. Those whose cars and houses were burnt have the right to justice and even those that were killed.

“So in doing what you do, ensure it is in accordance with the law. So, I sympathize with them, that is freedom of expression they are exercising, but when it reaches destruction, it will not be allowed,” he stated.

APC distances self from killings

Biafra protesters

Meanwhile, the APC, yesterday, distanced itself from allegation of instigating the killings of pro-MASSOB protesters in Onitsha, Anambra State  in August.

It will be recalled that nine people were reportedly killed on November 22 when MASOB protesters clashed with security agents during a protest seeking the actualization of an independent state for the Igbo.

Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told newsmen in Abuja that the party had nothing to do with the clash, and it had no reason, whatsoever, to kill innocent people.

Odigie-Oyegun said that MASSOB was not an opposition party hence APC had no reason to clash or incite the public against the movement.

“Please, perish that thought; what is the involvement of APC? Is MASSOB PDP? Why would the APC feel any desire to be involved in any way whatsoever?

“It was a clear security situation and no government worth its salt will watch any group whatsoever  make life impossible for the rest of the society. The killings were most regrettable,” he stressed, adding “but even now, we don’t know who killed who.

“I think we should just pray that that situation will eventually resolve itself through the carrot and stick approach. The carrot is absolutely necessary and I pray that the solution is found,” he said.