Despite Nigeria’s uninterrupted 22years of democracy, not a few persons feel that the country has not fared better under democratic rule.
This was the view of the Deputy President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Bar. Uche Okwukwu.
He stated this in an exclusive chat with this medium over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He made it clear that democracy is dividing the country the more through religious and ethnic lines.
“There is unnecessary killings and violation of rights under this democracy than during the civilian era.
The persons killed this time around are far more than those killed during the Nigerian Civil War. There is insecurity everywhere as a result of bitterness and rancour”.
He however refused to put the blame at the door step of those in authority or politicians but rather blamed the development on the attitude of the people themselves perhaps as a result of frustration.
The Deputy President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo also exornated President Mohanmadu Buhari on the woes plaguing the country but blame it on the inherited crisis that is ridden the whole world, including down-turn of oil prices and covid-19 pandemic.
“The man is trying his best for Nigeria to the best of his ability. President Buhari has actually tried for Ndigbo even more than our own sons that were there for 14years of the nation’s 22years of democracy,” he stated.
Asked to enumerate some of those benefits to Ndigbo, Mr. Okwukwu was quick to name the 17km second Niger Bridge that the immediate past leaders of Nigeria from the southern part of the country could not do.
He also named some of the federal roads the Buhari administration is under-taking including the Oyigbo expressway and the N78Billion federal road claims he recently refunded to Governor Nyesom Wike which he noted deferred former administration.
On the aims and objectives of the Ohaneze Ndigbo which he is leading and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Deputy President General of Ohaneze and former Secretary-General, Barr. Okwukwu said there was no basis for comparison.
“While the IPOB is a secessionist group pushing for the ceding of the former Eastern Nigeria from Nigeria, he noted, Ohaneze Ndigbo on the other hand is an organization of Igbo speaking states which aim to unite Ndgibo and as well protect their interest and indeed the interest of all humanity against injustice.
Uche Okwukwu in his characteristic manner said also that President Buhari cannot be blamed for the insecurity ravaging Nigeria as according to him, “It is a global thing which also requires collective solution.”
On the alleged marginalization of Ndgibo in Nigeria, the Ohaneze leader made it clear that this is infact the first time an Igbo man is appointed the Chief of Defence Staff in the person of Lt Gen Irabor and with the attitude of gratitude more will come our way”.
“What Ndigbo needs is the attitude of gratitude to get more especially under the situation”.
Reminded of the two dormant seatports at Onne and Port Harcourt which needs reactivation, Okwukwu said it is still a matter of attitude for them to be fixed.
“An average businessman would prefer to do his business from Lagos or Cotonou instead of Port Harcourt because of where they feel the market is”.
He explained that the moment the businessmen changed their attitude and start using the Southern ports, the Federal Government will reactive the seaports here.
