…Says plight of Imo pensioners bothers him
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Eze Thomas Obiefule, the Okiroro 1 of Umudioka ancient kingdom in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State is the longest reigning monarch according to the recent compendium of the state.
He is the National President, Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria.
He is also an executive member of Southern Monarchs Council as well as the Deputy Chairman of the Imo State Traditional Rulers Council.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he expressed the desire of the Southeast monarchs to dialogue with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He also offered his fatherly advice on the way forward on the economic situation in the country, among other sundry issues.
What’s your overall assessment of the economic situation in Nigeria?
The situation is dicey because nobody seems to know where we are going, although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked Nigerians to be patient. As an elder, I’m also adding my own voice, to tell our people to give him more time. I know the economic situation is too harsh but I believe the economic plans of the government will ultimately produce good results.
If you get the opportunity to meet President Tinubu, what will you tell him?
Fortunately enough I have had meetings with him three times since he came on board. One was about Nnamdi Kanu, the other one was about the state of the nation. He is somebody I have known for a long time when he was the Governor of Lagos State. So if there is any need to see him I will advise him to release Nnamdi Kanu. We the traditional rulers in the Southeast are ready to meet with him for dialogue, just as we appeal also to the Southeast governors to dialogue with the President on Nnamdi Kanu’s release. I have done that before and I will do it again if I have the opportunity. You see, the young man has been discharged by the court and somehow he’s still being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS). So, I’m still appealing to the Federal Government to release him. It appears that there is a gang up somewhere against his release.
We learnt that the President called on Southeast governors to meet him to deliberate on Kanu’s release and it appears none of them responded to that invitation. How true is this?
If it is true that the President has said that, then I will urge the governors of the Southeast to go as quickly as possible. If Kanu is released today it will ease tension here in the zone, all these killings and armed robbery would be less because most people are hiding under IPOB to perpetrate a lot of crimes. The real IPOB has kept denying that it is not responsible for the killings. Kanu himself and IPOB have both spoken against the Monday Sit-at-Home that essentially cripples the Southeast on Mondays and led to the killing of innocent people by criminals supposedly enforcing the sit-at-home. If we are looking for a sovereign nation are we going to get it empty handed, we have to be economically buoyant before we get it. It is very sensible that sit-at-home must stop because it is affecting the economy of the Southeast terribly. I know that it is affecting the governors too. If truly President Tinubu called the governors for a meeting because of Kanu, I’m now appealing to them to attend the meeting so that Kanu can be released. I am appealing on behalf of the traditional rulers in the Southeast and Chairman Traditional Rulers Association of Nigeria. Let the Southeast governors quickly meet the President. We are ready to meet the President for Kanu’s release.
You’re from Orlu zone of Imo State which has been associated with many atrocities. What is the situation now?
Yes, so many things are happening there particularly Orsu Local Government Area but the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, is doing his best. At least in the past six months the rate of the crime has reduced drastically and people have started returning to their homes. I personally went there three weeks ago with my car and nobody harassed me and from what I have seen so far very soon insecurity in that area would be over.
Nigeria has in recent times lost several elder statesmen, whose impact would be missed. What are thoughts on this?
Indeed, Nigeria has lost good people. Let me mention just a few: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who I knew as far back as 1978 at Enugu. Let me give you a brief story of how we met. I used to be an electronics dealer at Ogui Road in Enugu. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu came to my shop and bought a fridge called Evercool. He bought that fridge on credit for N180 and the day he promised to pay he didn’t pay; so I went to his house at Achara Layout with intention to carry back the fridge. His late wife Eudora came to me and said: “Tommy (my company’s name is Tommy Electronics), please give him more time.” A listened to her appeal and granted it. That was how we met and since then I have been very happy how he progressed in life. He did a lot for this nation. You can remember Iwuanyanwu Nationale, which used to be Imo Spartans Football Club. I even remember how he started building the Imo Airport. His loss is a great one to Nigeria. Also, look at Edwin Clark – a very nice man. He was fearless and always on the side of the truth. Ogbonnaya Onu too, a workaholic and astute politician so Nigeria has lost great men.
Do you think the youths have learnt a lot from these people you mentioned?
Yes, the younger politicians today have learnt a lot from them but the problem we have is implementation. The youths of today know only how to indulge in money-making rituals and not working hard. This is an abomination. So, an advice from an old man to the youths is to stop the “quick money” syndrome; it does not help.
Looking at Imo State, in which areas would you say Governor Uzodimma has done well?
He has done marvelously on roads. Hope Uzodimma is number one on road construction in Imo for the past 20 years that I have seen administrations in this state. Look at the Owerri /Orlu road, you get to Orlu in under 25 minutes. Owerri/Okigwe road is wonderful. There is place called Eke Emele, which used to be terrible and a death trap to motorists. He has tried a lot and would have done more but I know insecurity set him back. However, he is doing his best.
Which area would you like him to improve on?
Pensioners!!! I would like him to improve on welfare of pensioners and payment of gratuity of Imo workers. They are crying a lot. As a traditional ruler I have been getting reports from the 27 local government areas of the state. Governor Uzodimma should look into it and see what he can do. I am not happy about their plight.
The pace of political activities is quickening for 2027. What advice would you like to give to politicians?
I will advise them to take it easy; politics is not a do or die affair. Whoever emerges victorious we give that person our support. A good politician should always know that if you don’t win today you will win tomorrow.