Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu for rejecting the position of deputy speaker, House of Representatives which was purportedly micro-zoned to the South East.
The group in a statement, yesterday, by its President General, Goodluck Ibem and Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaoru, said the stance by Ohanaeze leadership, reflected the popular wishes of the Igbo.
The group said the Ohanaeze position also reflected and resonated with the Igbo quest for political survival as one of the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.
COSEYL also chided Benjamin Kalu for accepting the deputy speaker position.
Part of the statement read: “We deem it very insulting, contemptuous, demeaning and most undignifying for Benjamin Kalu, member Representing Bende federal constituency in Abia State to betray the collective interest of Ndigbo at a time like this by accepting the position of the deputy speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, which, by our ranking, is the seventh position in the hierarchy of office and position of power in the nation.
“This singular act by Ben Kalu is reproachful and we condemn it in its entirety. For emphasis, we wish to ask: Are the Igbo now ranked seventh in terms of population and contribution to national growth, economic advancement and development? Are the Igbo now the seventh largest ethnic group in the nation that spoils sharing will eliminate and consign them to the abyss of nothingness?”
The group said Nigeria was established on a tripodal structure by the founding fathers, an arrangement which straddles the North, dominated by Hausa/Fulani; East, dominated by the Igbo and West, dominated by the Yoruba.
It said the Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba nations have up till now continued to retain their positions of power, each having had a shot at the presidency – producing both the president and vice since the return to democracy in 1999 and expressed regret that the South East, which is a successor region of the Old Eastern Region with Igbo majority is forgotten and treated as minority.
“To elucidate further the point being made, some micro-minorities, who, though are Nigerians and must be seen and respected as such, have today had more recognition than the Igbo in Nigeria’s political landscape. The zoning formula Ben Kalu is standing on today, simply because it favours him and him alone, renders the post-war “Three Rs” of “reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation” a ruse in light of present circumstance.”
“Why will Ndigbo play second fiddle to other nationalities even after enjoying the vice president position nine years following the civil war? This is a political decline for a nationality larger than over 10 independent countries in Africa who have a flag each at the AU, the UN and other international organizations. In pursuit of self advancement, Ben Kalu fails to see the bigger picture and keeps exhibiting symptoms of low self-esteem to have accepted deputy speakership post which does not give the Igbo advantage in the positional bargaining politics of 2023.”
Ndigbo have their own culture and way of doing things peculiar to them, and those found wanting or going against the collective interest of her people are seriously and substantially dealt with, and accordingly. It is not in question that Ben Kalu betrayed his people – Ndigbo – by accepting the position of the Deputy Speaker. Our people have no option than to treat his betrayal accordingly.”
