Don’t be provoked into armed struggle, Ekweremadu warns Ndigbo

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Ndigbo not to allow themselves to be provoked into any armed struggle, but to sustain peaceful agitation for equity and justice within the Nigerian commonwealth.
Ekweremadu who spoke at the World Igbo Congress (WIC) summit in Enugu, yesterday, reiterated that the minimum Ndigbo demand from Nigeria was the restructuring of the Nigerian federation to enable them enjoy equity and actualise their potentials
This was even as he explained that the Eastern Rail Line was not to the benefit of the South East alone, but also the South South, North Central and North East.  He said: “The minimum Ndigbo demand of Nigeria is a restructuring of the federation so that every component part of it can substantially harness its resources, cut its coat according to its cloth, and develop at its own speed. “Instructively, the ill-fated Aburi Accord was about restructuring, even if it is not exactly as we want it today. But it was breached and discarded, plunging the nation into an avoidable fratricidal war. Yet, 50 years after, the need and call for restructuring and return to a true federal state have only persisted.
“Although the call initially fell on deaf ears, it is heartwarming that the right quarters are beginning to listen and the call is gathering traction daily, even from hitherto improbable quarters,” Ekweremadu
He commended Ndigbo for eschewing violence in their struggle for a better deal within the Nigerian commonwealth. He assured that the National Assembly would continue to uphold the rights of Ndigbo, and indeed every part of the nation, to fairness and equity. He explained: “The Senate is currently engaging the executive arm of government on the railway development and modernization projects, which has totally excluded the Eastern Rail Line or Eastern Corridor, traversing major towns and cities like Port Harcourt, Aba, Enugu, Otupko, Igumale, Makurdi, Kafanchan, Kuru, Bauchi, Gombe and all the way to Maiduguri.
“Contrary to the attempts to misrepresent the coverage of the Eastern Rail Line to the public, this corridor is not just for the South East, but also covers the South South, North Central, and North East.
“Curiously, all the loans for railway projects by the current administration, totally excluded this vital corridor to the advantage of the Western Rail Line, running from Lagos to Kano.
“But, the questions are: Why will loans taken on behalf of Nigerians and to be repaid by all Nigerians exclude more than a half of the country from the benefits of such loans? Why should the South East, South South, North Central, and North East pay for what they were inexplicably excluded from enjoying? Why must the Eastern Line be relegated to concession arrangement, to be paid for by our people as they use the facilities? What is the likelihood of even getting a concessioner, especially given the history of concessions in the country?”
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Oganiru Ndi Igbo (Navigating the future)”, Ekweremadu, called on Ndigbo in Diaspora to invest at home as well as encourage other Nigerians and foreign investors to do likewise in the zone. Former Anambra State governor Mr Peter Obi harped on need for unity among Ndigbo, stressing that the people should jettison the past and invest in the future. Obi stated that one area that Ndigbo could overcome marginalization was to invest in the education and training of the children, explaining that “if don’t rewrite our story and attract attention to our problems by constitutional means, let us achieve that through investment” The former governor, who frowned at the absence of the governors of the zone at the event, said there was no better way of forging ahead than fostering unity and supporting ventures that could bring dividend to the zone. Earlier, Chairman of the WIC, Chief Joe Nze Eto said for Ndigbo to survive the adverse pressure from the Buhari government, “ we must discuss lack of unity among Igbo leadership and among the Igbo states, re tool our politics, build capacity by building bridges with our neighbours and rebrand Igbo ideals to market and protect one intellectual property”.
Other speakers at the event were Prof Uzodinma Nwala of Ala Igbo foundation, Dr Tony Nnadi, Secretary General of Lower Niger Congress among others.