Following denials by some people from Rivers State and other South South States, former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has added a voice, calling on Igbo people to be careful.
Prince Madumere has insisted that the Minister of Transport is a true Igbo man who has every right to represent Igbo race in all ramifications among many other Igbo sons.
The former Deputy Governor spoke while fielding questions from newsmen recently at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja while waiting to board a flight to attend Turbaning ceremony of Amaechi in Daura, Katsina State.
Reacting to the zoning politics, he said that the right to do is for major political parties to zone presidency to the South. And when that is done it is now left for the South to determine where the pendulum swings. As it stands today, I am aware that South West under President Olusegun Obasanjo administered the country for eight years.
President Goodluck Jonathan who is from the South South Administered Nigeria for more than five years in office. While it behooves the political parties to decide where the pendulum swings, it is only justiceable that South is considered.
However, if at the end of the day, political parties decide to produce Presidential Candidates of Igbo extraction, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is Igbo. I must put this in perspective but it is not yet time for all these.
He called on the Igbo race to stop discriminating among themselves, saying that the creation of various states is only for administrative convenience.
“I cannot believe that people are debating Hon. Chibuike Amaechi’s tribe. He is Igbo period.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the apex socio cultural Igbo body has already done the needful. Amaechi is in the list of Igbo sons presented to the Nation.
“Igbo is very large in population in Nigeria. We are found in Delta State, Benue and South South. Mind you the Amaechi you’re talking about is more of an Imo State person geographically. From Ngor-Okpala there, you walk into his community. We understand quite well why Rivers State was created.
“As a historian, issue of denialism should be discouraged. Most brothers are at war today because of this problem created by government’s, imperialists and desperate local politicians. It has caused some perennial crises in some societies. So, if crude oil dries today, would people from these Igbo areas continue to deny their brothers and sisters?.
“It is wrong for people from Igbo parts of Rivers to deny their tribe. I say so because we are all aware of the politics that led to the creation of Rivers State. This is something every Igbo man in any state at all should never fall to.
“We are all Nigerians but we all have where we come from before the amalgam of the Southern and Northern protectorate.
“We are waiting for our parties to set the tone. We are in our differing vehicles to achieve one goal of making the desired change and bringing development to the country while improving the welfare of our people.
“For candidates, All Progressives Congress can boast of galaxy of leaders who are experienced, energetic and equipped in all ramifications. In the South, they abound and are prepared, waiting for the whistle. What I can I assure is that Nigeria will surely get better.We already incumbent Governors and former Governor and other technocrats already raising hands to be counted.
