AWKA—Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called for a closer cooperation between the South East and South South geo-political zones for the purpose of improving the economic base of the two zones.
Anambra State chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Chris Eluomunoh, at a news conference in Awka, urged the two zones not to succumb to the antics of other sections of Nigeria who preferred that the two zones, which cooperated well in the defunct Eastern
Region, be made to remain antagonistic to each other.
According to him, it is the people of the two zones that are losing out in the face of lack of cooperation between them.
He said: “This is the right time for these two zones to evolve ways of enhancing the welfare of their people and economy of their states.
“The campaign of divide and rule being championed by some people in the zone should be put behind. It is in the best interest of the Igbos, the Ijaws and other tribes in the two zones to work together as this will fast track development in the area.
“The first opportunity to begin this cooperation will be offered by the proposed national conference. The two zones must work together and bring to the front burner issues that will be of great benefit to their people during the national conference.”
Eluomunoh also debunked the argument in some quarters that President Goodluck Jonathan had not done much for the people of the South East, noting that it was only the present administration that had appointed Igbos into sensitive positions hitherto considered no-go areas for them.
He argued that the Jonathan administration had completed a number of important projects in the zone, including Enugu International airport, Onitsha seaport and set a machinery in motion for the construction of the second Niger bridge and the rehabilitation of federal roads in the zone.
The Ohanaeze boss also spoke on the recently-concluded Anambra State governorship election, calling on those who vied for the position to join the winner, Chief Willie Obiano, in moving the state forward.
He said further: “The election has come and gone and Ohanaeze is satisfied with its conduct and our advice is that anybody who is not satisfied with the outcome of the election should approach the court for redress.
“We believe that the voting pattern is the wish of the people and if the election is contested again, the voting pattern will not change.”
By Vincent Ujumadu
