THIRTEEN Igbo groups rose from a meeting in Enugu yesterday declaring their support for the measures being adopted by President Goodluck Jonathan in tackling insurgency caused by the Islamist group, Boko Haram in the country.
After reviewing the present state of affairs in the country, the groups noted in an 11-point communiqué that the mindless pillorying of President Jonathan and his wife on account of the insurgency in the North, “is unkind, opportunistic and a weak attempt to divert attention of the public from the fact that this Islamist insurgency is political, religious and a booby trap solely targeted at regime change.”
The groups that sent delegations to the meeting are Igbo Leaders of Thought, South East Elders Forum, Igbo Youth Movement, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ohaneze Overseas Forum, Ohaneze Youth Alliance, Igbo Traders Congress, Igbo Women Assembly, Igbo Students Congress, South East Professionals, South East/South South Alliance, Civil and Human Right Forum and World Igbo Diaspora Congress.
Presenting the communiqué at the end of the closed door meeting, the Convener and founder of Igbo Youth Movement who doubles as deputy secretary of the Igbo Leaders of Thought, Evangelist Elliot Uko, said that the brain storming became necessary as the country was going through a historic period ‘eight months to general electrons, ongoing National Conference filled with intrigues and about to derail with an insurgency that has blighted our image worldwide.”
He said that the groups condemned in no uncertain terms, “the ugly politics of painting ones country black in the foreign media, all in the hope of rubbishing our leaders”, stressing that the unkind blackmail was capable of unleashing a hard-to-eradicate bad blood in the nation’s body polity.
“The truth is this Government did not create this Islamist insurgency. The government have suffered attacks from protectors and sympathises of Boko Haram, who at one time threatened to drag the head of the army to the International Criminal Court, ICC at the Hague. The deliberate attempt to brand the government as weak and inept while pretending to conveniently forget that some people inspired this madness by forcefully attempting to introduce a religious code 14 years ago, is wicked and devilish. The Boko Haram boys who were probably teenagers 14 years ago, when Sharia code was launched are now only trying to help former Gov. Sani Yerima of Zamfara complete what he started in year 2000,” the communiqué said.
It further stated: “We note that the ongoing bloody campaign by Boko Haram has really redefined Nigeria’s image internationally and jolted Nigerians into a new consciousness which has the capacity to either make Nigeria stronger or create fears and distrust. We agree that either way, Nigeria will never be the same. Nevertheless, we must come together, stand up for our country and put partisan politics aside.
“We commend the military and other security agencies for their sacrifices and commitment to the defence and protection of mother Nigeria and her citizens. Nevertheless, we believe that until moles, blacklegs and fifth columnists are indentified and dealt with, the battle remains far from over.
“We note an improved security situation in the South East but maintain that unemployment remains a time bomb that must be diffused, before the demons at work in the North East infect others elsewhere. Especially, as those who let the dogs out in the North East have since lost control of the demon they created.”
While thanking the international community for the assistance Nigeria is getting, the groups expressed optimism that the current nightmare would soon be over to enable Nigerians enjoy peace in their fatherland.
“We note with amusement, that just as the world rallies around Nigeria, suddenly, all the tough guys who refused to condemn the senseless carnage all these years, suddenly found their voices. May be the fear of the Americans is the beginning of wisdom,” the groups noted while warning desperate politicians who would rather set the country ablaze in their quest for power “that the sophistication of the younger generation of Nigeria makes it impossible for self centred manipulators to escape the judgement of history and the judgement of the masses.”
The groups, however, reminded the Igbo delegates at the national conference that 50 million Ndigbo were monitoring every move they make and wondering on which side history they would place themselves, stressing that “nything short of true federalism built on six regions affirmed at a referendum to throw up a new constitution binding on all, means the confab failed.”
Biafra Galaxy
