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By Humphrey Orjiako and Oladipo Olaitan
“Throughout history, those denied justice have no interest in peace.”
– Ambassador (Prof.) George Obiozor, CON, NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos, November 21, 2022
The decision by Prof. George Achulike Obiozor to vie for the position of president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide was without any iota of doubt very controversial. Those who opposed his candidacy cast him as an Igbo man tainted by his long years of association in the corridors of power and argued that he would be unable to push the core Igbo interests at this point in the political history of Nigeria.
Their preference was for a fiery, untainted firebrand Igbo who would be uncompromising in propagating the two core political issues of interest for Ndigbo in Nigeria: a restructured Nigeria along a true federalist path and an Igbo presidency come 2023. The emergence of Obiozor at the end of the election in January 2021 paved the way for him to deploy his immense wealth of skills, diplomacy, humour, wits and uncanny understanding of the complex Nigerian political terrain. Ndigbo chose diplomacy and dialogue over confrontation and bluster in pursuing the Igbo agenda. He saw forging and strengthening alliances with other major ethnic nationalities as a low-hanging fruit to be pursued in the quest to reverse Igbo exclusion and marginalization in the country, and quickly settled for that.
Even as he engaged other ethnic nationalities, he was unwavering in his commitment to these twin Igbo political objectives. He dug deep to reach out to likeminds across the major ethic groups to increase the advocacy across board for a Nigeria based on justice, equity and fairness. Very importantly, he sustained the efforts made by his illustrious predecessor, His Excellency, Chief Nnia Nwodo, to strengthen the coalition of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) and the quest for a restructured Nigeria. He was also unrelenting in the advocacy for the emergence in 2023 of a Nigerian President from the South East zone.
Two months before his untimely demise, Prof. Obiozor, in his capacity as the president-general of Ndigbo Worldwide with the inimitable and indefatigable Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, agreed to set up the Ohanifere Alliance to give life to the desire to have a permanent platform for the consolidation and strengthening of Igbo-Yoruba entente. The main objective was to build a permanent political and cultural bridge that would espouse the common values shared by the two ethnic nationalities. Ohanifere was conceived to serve as a rallying platform for advocating a return to the old federalist path in Nigeria anchored on a new constitutional arrangement that recognized the equal and coordinate status of the federating units and the devolution of powers between the federating states and the centre. The envisioned new constitutional arrangement would also usher a new fiscal era of resource control in the country.
In what may be considered his last public appearance and his last keynote address as chief host at a public lecture organized by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on “Nationalism and Nation Building in Nigerian History,” on November 21, 2022, Prof. Obiozor challenged those who claimed that Nigerian unity was non-negotiable. He asserted in his address that “Nigerian unity is definitely negotiable and must be re-negotiated for it to stand or survive the rest of time.”
In his concluding remarks on that occasion, he warned that “throughout history, those denied justice have no interest in peace.” A warning very apt as we contemplate our future.
His tragic and untimely death has robbed Ndigbo and indeed Nigeria of the voice of a true patriot who not only believed in Nigeria but served the country with distinction and undiluted patriotic zeal. He was unmistakeable Igbo in every aspect but a Nigerian Igbo who believed in justice, equity and equality for all its citizens. He forged strong partnerships with like-minded giants across other ethnic nationalities: Chief Pa Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere, Chief Edwin Clark of PANDEF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, of the Middle Belt Forum and Prof. Ango Abdullahi of Northern Elders Forum and Leader of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in pursuit of these ideals. They will sorely miss him.
Although Ambassador (Prof.) George Achulike Obiozor, CON, has joined the band of saints in heaven, he will forever be remembered and etched in our memory by the lasting legacies he has left behind in search of a Nigeria where equity justice, equality and fairness prevail. We join, at this mournful period, in praying for the repose of his gentle soul and for his bereaved wife, children and extended family who have been left to mourn his sad and painful loss.
•Dr. Humphrey Orjiako and HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan are co-chairmen, Ohanifere, an alliance of Ohanaeze and Afenifere
