The Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dissociated itself from the agitation for secession and instead opts for the restructuring of the country.
The group, a representation of elders of South East, flayed the campaign launched by Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), to secede from Nigeria.
The elders insisted that the restructuring of Nigeria was the solution to the political and economic problems of the country.
The attempt by the region to secede led to the three years civil war from 1967 to 1970 in which over two million people were killed.
Kanu is facing treason trial, but released on bail recently following intervention by the elders.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Mr. Chuks Ibegbu said in Abuja on Monday that the group believed more in a restructured Nigeria, and that it desired a Nigeria that has a level playing field for all sections of the country; “a Nigeria that gives each part of the country a sense of belonging.”
Ohaneze further said: “For example, in a country of 36 states, the South-East has five states and 95 local governments; while Kano State alone has 44 local governments. The other time, we saw the statistics of recruitment in the Department of State Services (DSS) with Katsina State alone having 51 allocations. Yet, we have the Federal Character Commission.”
The group said that the Federal Character Commission should investigate the recent recruitment in the DSS which allegedly led to Abia and Enugu States, both in the South-East, having six allocations each as against 51 for Katsina, the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said that there was no level playing ground in Nigeria, stressing that Abia State alone produced more graduates than 10 states in the North combined.
“We are not saying Nigeria should be divided, but the issues these young men are talking about should be addressed,” Ibegbu stated.”It seems they want people like Nnamdi Kanu to shut up without addressing the issues judging by the bail conditions (they gave him).”
He said that the issue of secession should be forgone, adding that what Nigeria needed now was restructuring. (NAN)