APC Holds Maiden South East Colloquium In Anambra State – Voice of Nigeria

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By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC), held its maiden South East colloquium at Anaedo Hall in Nnewi, Anambra State on Friday as the national chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje led the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma and a host of APC stalwarts to attend.

Speaking on the theme: “Demarginalisation of South-East zone and integration into national politics”, hosted by the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, Alhaji Ganduje, said the marginalization experienced by the Southeast is a consequence of misjudgments made by the region’s inhabitants.

Our presence at the South East Colloquium is significant, but I would like to focus on Anambra, our current location. The Igbo community plays a crucial role in national integration. They are known as the most industrious and adventurous individuals in Nigeria, contributing significantly to the country’s economy through their creativity, innovation, and competitiveness.

“Anambra is a strategic state in the South-East, but it is not making the progress that a state is expected to make because it is not connected to the central government and that is the missing link and it is not benefiting the state. From former governors Peter Obi, Willie Obiano and now Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

“Governors are now using their connection with the central to better their state. Why should Anambra continue to live in isolation, what is the benefit for this? Even those who governed Anambra State quickly abandoned the party after they had governed the state, this is the height of selfishness.

“Anambra’s refusal to connect with the centre has denied the people of benefit and great infrastructure. Anambra has failed to transit and it is trapped. If you are not at the table, nobody will speak for you and that is the situation with Anambra since 1999. Anambra is the only state being ruled by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the party has refused to grow.

“The South West states were initially ruled by Alliance for Democracy in 1999, but later, they became ACN and by the political sagacity of our leader who is the president today, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the South West states continue to grow in strength, that is political dynamism. But APGA has continued to remain at one point and it should not continue like this.

“It is time for political celebration and we are hopeful that APC will take over Anambra through Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. Anambra is the heartbeat of the South-East political zone and it is time for it to join the centre party for it to grow, we are to make sure that Anambra connects to the centre. No more intimidation, Anambra is strategic to the Nigerian economy and it must connect to the centre.”

National integration

On his part, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, advised the South East to key into the national integration of the APC.

The significance of this colloquium lies in the acknowledgement by the APC that the South East faces marginalization.”

Governor Uzodimma explained that the colloquium was intended to stimulate the political party in the South-East and use it to better the region, adding that the time shall come when inventory will be taken.

It is a thing of joy that the national leadership of the APC has acknowledged that the South-East is being marginalised. Having diagnosed this, the question is who is this doctor that will prescribe the medicine to adopt, I think the national leader of the party is here to do that.

We must identify national integration, national cohesion and national unity so that we can have a pan-Nigerian project. The South-East is yearning for a united Nigeria where equity and justice are the yardstick and it means we must be in the room where decisions are taken.

“If we are committed to joining this programme and campaign for de-marginalisation, it means we must join the ruling political party. I think what we need is the process of precarious panacea to be part of the national consensus.

Nigeria project today has no room for those who are in lamentation, it belongs to those who are pragmatic and they must adopt a pragmatic approach, we must understand the political dynamism to navigate the terrain.

“It is encouraging that our party’s National Chairman is part of the group addressing this issue. National integration, unity, and cohesion are essential for a cross-sectional Nigerian project to thrive.

“To achieve a Nigeria built on the principles of fairness and equity, active participation in the political discourse is imperative. We must mobilize individuals of merit who enjoy public approval. By understanding the Nigerian political landscape and establishing an exit strategy from political seclusion, we can effectively contribute to the national narrative,” he emphasized.

“I warmly welcome Ifeanyi Ubah into our party. His understanding of the political dynamics has been commendable. Ubah entered the Senate under a lesser-known party, and collaborating with a mainstream party could amplify his achievements.

“There will come a time to recognize those who advocated for the Igbo community to overcome political marginalization. I aspire to be among those catalysts who created pathways for Ndigbo (Igbo people) to break free from marginalization,” the Governor concluded.

Lack of access to mainstream politics

The keynote speaker of the colloquium and Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Professor Charles Esimone, who spoke on the theme, said lack of appreciation and outright denial of the rights of the South East access to mainstream politics have continued because the region has failed to do the needful.

According to Esimone, “Who is marginalising the South East? The first culprit is the constitution. The second is a non-credible census. Without a credible census, there won’t be room for equity. Equity has the potential to calm frayed nerves.

“The mismanagement of the three ‘Rs’ effectively laid the foundation for the marginalisation which the South-East faces today. Federal establishments are rare to find in the South-East while cities like Zaria and Lagos have more federal establishments than the whole South-East zone.

“One of the things that has caused self-marginalisation is insecurity, it eases away investment into the region. Marginalisation can affect groups, it can affect sex. The current political calculation does not favour the South-East. It does not make sense that other geopolitical zones have six states while the South East has five.”

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who appreciated his guests, resolved to remain firm in the ruling party.

Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and other APC dignitaries paid homage to the Igwe of Nnewi, His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, at his palace.

Meanwhile, the APC 2024 Mega Empowerment Rally equally powered by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah will hold on Saturday at Ifeanyi Ubah International Stadium, Nnewi, Anambra State.

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh



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