Enwo-Igariwey

In this interview with journalists, the President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Gary Enwo-Igariwey, speaks about the Igbo position on the proposed national dialogue and threat by the Northern Elders Forum to drag Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.) before the International Criminal Court. JOHN ALECHENU was there

Is it true that there are factions in Ohanaeze Ndigbo?

The leadership of the Ohanaeze you have today was properly elected and sworn in for a four-year term. The election was held in the open and remember that delegates came from all over the world. There were representatives from the United States, from the United Kingdom, from the diaspora in general and all branches in Nigeria. It was not a hidden election. Anyone who claims that there is a faction in Ohanaeze is not saying the truth; there are no factions. Some of these people contested elections and lost. I am not aware that someone becomes a faction because he lost an election.

So much has been said about the proposed national dialogue/conference. What is the position of the Igbo on this issue?

In the composition of the dialogue, we insist on equal representation of the six geo-political zones of the country. We propose 60 delegates from each zone. Since this conference is about ethnic nationalities, it is expected that each zone should bring ethnic nationalities in their zones and special interest groups. We also state that each zone should select delegates with respect to its diversity.I want to state clearly that Ohanaeze presented the Igbo position to the presidential advisory panel on this conference. In it, the Igbo never gave any other position, the Ohanaeze position was the generally accepted position. That’s what was presented in Enugu, Umuahia and in Lagos. The document was signed by notable Igbo leaders including former Presidents-General of Ohanaeze, former governors, even the former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, and other prominent Igbo sons. There was no dispute about it. Let me give you what the main issues are. The main thrust is the structure of this conference. Ohanaeze recognises and respects all other ethnic nationalities.

What about the issue of a legal framework for the conference?

To ensure its legality, the conference should be instituted through the National Assembly. Mr. President should, as a matter of urgency, send an executive bill to the National Assembly to legalise the conference; that is the position of the Ohanaeze. That is not different from what others are advocating.

On the duration of the proposed conference, it is necessary to complete the work of the conference, including the enactment of the new constitution, before the end of the tenure of the present administration so that the next elections would be held under the new constitution. It is recommended that the outcome of the conference will be subjected to a national referendum/ plebiscite and thereafter, without alteration becomes the next constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is no difference between what we have been saying and what others have been advocating and challenging Ohanaeze’s position as speaking for the Igbo.

Ohaneze works with all Igbo organisations. In fact, this presentation to the advisory committee was a collation of the ideas of major Igbo organisations; their ideas were collated from groups like the Aka Ikenga, the Igbo Legacy and the South-East Peoples Development Association. It was a combined effort.

Recently, the Northern Elders Forum said it would drag the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, before the International Criminal Court. What is your take on this?

We initially took it as statements not made out of good intentions. First of all, when you are fighting terrorists, especially when they are embedded within the people, there is bound to be collateral damage. Ohanaeze appreciates the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform, who are dying every day; people who put their lives on the line everyday for us to be happy. The best we can do is to encourage them so that they will bring this issue to a peaceful end.