May 4, 2010
Some media outfits recently reported that Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, threw his support and that of Ndigbo behind Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB)’s doomed presidential ambition. If correct, it is unfortunate but consistent with the regrettable antecedents of Ikemba Nnewi.
Some media outfits recently reported that Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, threw his support and that of Ndigbo behind Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB)’s doomed presidential ambition. If correct, it is unfortunate but consistent with the regrettable antecedents of Ikemba Nnewi. The Sun On-line reported that The Ikemba of Nnewi gave this pledge when a group of IBB campaigners, under the aegis of Campaign Network for IBB 2011, South East Zone, paid him a courtesy visit…..during which he said “Tell your principal that Igbos are for him. He has my support and by extension he has the support of the whole Igbo people both at home and in the Diaspora. He is my friend and I am stoutly behind him ........” The report further stated that Ojukwu used the occasion to re-christen Babangida as Okechukwu. He is now Ibrahim Badamasi Okechukwu Babangida. That is his new name. I wish him success.”
The Ikemba, like any Igbo, has every right to support and re-christen whoever he wants or claim titles he so desires, but the facts remain that he has never been elected to anything by Ndigbo. It is for this reason that we, the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU)-Abroad wish to disassociate ourselves from yet another Ikemba misguided antics. It has been one miscue after another since his return from exile. He joined the thieving National Party of Nigeria (NPN), campaigned for dictator Sani Abacha and supported Prof. Maurice Iwu’s tenure extension at INEC. In all these misadventures, he claimed but garnered no Igbo support. This recent endorsement of the evil presidential pretender Babangida will be no different.
While not begrudging Ikemba’s decisions - he is entitled to his failures, however, it unfortunately appears that selfish quid pro quo is one common thread in his miscues. He supported NPN for his return from exile and a shot at the senatorial seat on NPN platform, Abacha in return for his selection to the Constitutional Conference, and Maurice Iwu for Anambra governorship award. His most recent support of IBB may not be unconnected with IBBs role in releasing his family’s property, and bankrolling the formation of APGA. Meanwhile, it has been observed that his son has practically relocated to and operating from IBB’s Hilltop mansion in Minna.
Who in their right senses or with the faintest of credibility would stand next to Babangida, a man who has so far been unable to extricate himself from his toxic poop-pit, consisting treason, destruction of our economy, murder ( of Dele Giwa , Mamman Vasta, Gani Fawehinmi, and young army officers), national treasury looting, human rights abuses, and annulment of the June 12 election?
We respect the Ikemba for his leadership role during the civil war, but his continued assault on our collective sensibilities ever since, is beginning to wear us thin. His so-called support of the bankrupt and depraved ambition of Babangida on our behalf is presumptuous, arrogant, hollow and against everything we stand for. Let it be clear therefore, that Ikemba does not speak for us.
Just like we joined forces during the June 12 struggle to send the military back to the barracks, defeat the Olusegun Obasanjo 3rd term agenda, successfully prosecute Abdusalami Abubakar in the US, we will crush IBB.
During his recent visit to the US, we yielded to our humane instincts and held back bringing a law suit against him, due to his wife’s ill health. Now, all bets are off, we dare IBB to return.
The EMU-Abroad is a US based affiliate of Eastern Mandate Union-a foundation platform of the Peoples Mandate Party (PMP). We are a progressive’s platform committed to removal of all vestiges of military rule in our polity, good governance, human, religious and environmental rights - including right of self-determination, and the convocation of a true sovereign national conference.
Our agenda is clear and no respecter of persons-you are either with us or against us.
Signed:
On Behalf of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU)-Abroad
N.W. Washington DC, 20011
Prof. Edward Oparaoji, Chairman
Dr. Placidus Adiele, Director International Relations
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