Former Chairman, Police Service Commission, PSC, and President Pan-Ndigbo Foundation, PNF, Chief Simon Okeke, in this exclusive interview at his Amichi, Nnewi South Local Council, Anambra State home, spoke on many national issues, including the Biafra secession agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, tackling insecurity, 2023 polls and production of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction among others.
By Chimaobi Nwaiwu
On Igbo leaders’ appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and call for dialogue and political solution
First of all, agitation by IPOB arose as a result of injustice, failure to have a level playing ground for all Nigerians, free and fair treatment of everybody.
The agitation is equally fuelled by inequality, lack of equity and treatment of some sections of the country as if they are slaves while their counterparts are pampered and never believe that they can do anything wrong.
However, negotiating Nnamdi Kanu out of detention is a good move. It is better to negotiate than to fight or do it by force of arms. I am aware that at one occasion, it was somebody from the Presidency, precisely the Attorney-General, who was asked about the negotiation and he said that they are open to it.
That was commendable from the Federal Government, it shows that Mr. President wants peace to reign in his country. We must commend him for that. I am also aware that the process of negotiation is being discussed at certain level at Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Yes, they will agree, IPOB has shown responsibility with Anambra State governorship election.
IPOB will not be said to be unyielding, the Anambra governorship election is example of IPOB’s responsibility.
With time, people will know that what they are made to know about IPOB may not be correct. As far as I know, a peaceful agitation or protest is not an offence in Nigeria and all over the world.
There is no law prohibiting peaceful agitations in Nigeria or anywhere across the world, as far as they are not violent.
Protesters should not be shot. #EndSARS was peaceful; they did not carry arms but they were hounded. All over the world, protest is an asset to governance.
What is your take on Nigerian President of Igbo extraction?
One thing I know that is clear is that if there is no Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, as long as there is restructuring, Igbo do not mind.
However, there is a genuine move for Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
The South-East geopolitical zone has never been given the chance to produce the president of this country and anybody who says the Igbo man is not ripe to ascend the seat of the president of this country is not being fair and honest.
Denying an Igbo man the opportunity to ascend the seat of the president will be the highest level of marginalisation against Ndigbo.
The idea that the Igbo should be given the chance in 2023 to produce the president of Nigeria is an honest and rightful demand. It is imperative for all hands to be on deck to ensure that an Igbo man emerges the Nigerian president in 2023 so that all the tension and agitations associated with marginalisation of South-East people in the scheme of things in the country can abate.
The South-East geo-political zone is blessed with eminently qualified personalities who can give the country a responsible and responsive leadership. However, there is urgent need for the political class in the zone to discuss with stakeholders in other zones.
It is not just the Northerners that are showing interest in the 2023 presidency. South-West, Middle Belt and even the South-South zones are all showing interest. However, there is a genuine demand by Ndigbo for the exalted office if we go by the fact that the South-East has never been given the chance to head the presidency. It is the highest level of marginalisation. What is good is good, what is bad is bad. Chief Ayo Adebanjo of Afenifere has been consistent on Igbo presidency so also are some other people from other zones, including some people from the North, so any Igbo man saying the contrary must have his DNA checked.
Another thing that is clear is that the calibre of people in government, today, who are supposed to show interest in the presidency are lilliputs. We have not got that calibre of people who speak with authority among them, the edge associated with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu is gone.
It is unfortunate the golden age of the die-hard Igbo character is gone. Look at the governors, members of the National Assembly jumping from one political party to the other without any sign of doing that on the basis of any ideological leaning.
Every age has its own warriors. The warriors of this age are not as strong as past leaders but I am optimistic that the next crop of leaders would be vibrant. I reject the claim that the Igbo are not together. Look at the issue of sit-at-home, many Igbo are not observing it out of fear, many are observing it in protest against perceived marginalisation.
So, the claims that Igbo are never together is a fallacy being drummed by those in charge of the media because in Nigeria, honestly, no ethnic group can be as together as Ndigbo.
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