The Pan Igbo Social-Cultural Organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra state
chapter, has valley on the Federal government of Nigeria to stop
policies targeted and frustrate major Igbo industrialists.
Chief Damian Okeke, President of the state chapter made the call on
Friday at a get together party organized by the leadership in his
country home, Nanka in Orumba South local Government Area of Anambra
state.
Describing the action of the federal government killing
industrialisation of the eastern Nigeria, he gave names in such
frustration as Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema, Chief Chukwumma Innocent,
Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, Cletus Ibeto and host of others.
“These are patriotic and selfless industrialists who have projected the
image of Nigeria on the global industrial map and are providing
employment to Nigerian youths as well as adding to the Gross Domestic
Product of the country.
“So why is the federal government harassing and intimidating them,”he
asked.
Okeke said the ongoing persecution of their sons in different quarters
was caused by the politics of appeasement and sabotage by those who did
not want Igbos voice to be heard in the affairs of Nigeria.
“What Chukwumma Innocent and Allen Onyema, particularly, has
accomplished so far, no Indigenous industrialist in Nigeria has been
able to do for the development of the country, he boosted.
“If Innoson Motors were owned by other regional businessmen, no
frustration, harassment and intimidation would have come up.
“We called on those involved directly or indirectly in the orchestrated
campaign to frustrate our industrious sons to desist from their evil act
before it is too late,” he concluded.
He commend Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state for his commitment to
the welfare of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos.
On 2021 guber election in Anambra, Okeke urged political parties to pick
candidates from south senatorial district.
According to the Igbo apex socio-cultural organization, respecting the
existing zoning formula which has produced many governors including the
present one was the best way to sustaining peace already in the state
and reduce high cost elections.
“If all political parties pick their candidates from
Anambra South,it would further consolidate the gains of zoning formula
as a permanent policy in Anambra political system.
He called on Gov. Willie Obiano to support the policy as a beneficiary
of the arrangement to peacefully produce the next governor
from Anambra South.
“We have no doubt that governor Obiano as beneficiary of the arrangement
will support the shift of power to Anambra South senatorial district,”
he said.
According to him, zoning arrangement has brought stability to the
political system of the state and has equally reduced cost of
elections, especially when compared to with what is happening in other
states of the federation.
He said the zoning has the support of the traditional rulers, women and
youth organizations as well as town unions in the state and must be
sustained .
“With the victory of Governor Willie Obiano in the November 2017
governorship election, Anambra North has taken its eight years slot.
The state is warming up for another gubernatorial election in 2021 and
the slot will move to Anambra South for the next uninterrupted eight
years,” he stated.
Also speaking, the president of Anambra Town Unions Mr. Alex Onukwuwe
said that the zoning formula must be sustained to avoid the
battle and tensions associated with elections in the state.
“Anambra state can never be at war again, it should be shared for the
good of the people of the state. It should be turn – by- turn, no more
political war in the state again,” he said.