Politics
59th Independence: I weep for our country – Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu
Ahead of Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary, member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Ezekiel Izuogu has joined prominent Northern elders like Tanko Yakassai, Balarabe Musa and other Nigerians to make a case for a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction in 2023.
Chief Izuogu, who emphatically declared that Nigeria has not fared well in her 59 years of independence, insisted that if given the opportunity to occupy the number one political office in the country after President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, the Igbo would take Nigeria to the moon.
In this exclusive chat with Daily Sun, the APC chieftain spoke on various issues, including the 59th independence anniversary, insecurity in the country among others.
Few months into Buhari’s second tenure, some persons in the North have allegedly started scheming to retain power in the North beyond 2023. However, a couple of other Nigerians believe that for equity, justice and fairness, power should move to the East. What are your thoughts on that?
Power should move to the South East, period. It is not debatable. There are three major tribes in Nigeria and the Igbo are one of these major three tribes. So, if the Yoruba have ruled and the Hausa/Fulani have ruled several times, it is time for the Igbo to also rule; pure and simple. Anybody who is bringing debate into it does not want Nigeria to move forward. Nobody should bring any confusion about that.
Do you think your party, the APC, looking at the composition and body language of its leadership will concede the presidential ticket to a candidate from the South East in 2023?
That is the correct thing to do. I am a member of the APC Board of Trustees, as well as a member of the National Caucus. Bring it up for discussions and if we don’t have competent people from the South East, then you can go elsewhere. But, if there are over qualified people to be president of Nigeria and they are there in the South East, and you say you won’t use them, then it means you don’t want the country to move forward. I thank Tanko Yakassai, our elder and leader in the progressives, who spoke out recently, saying, it is time for the South East to produce the president of this country. He spoke our minds. I praise him for his courage. He has been a straightforward man from the beginning and I am happy that he still maintains his straightforwardness. It is time for the South East; it is our time. Everybody should support us. I have friends in the North, West, South-South, and Middle Belt; they should all support the South East. That is the only way the country can move forward. Let this country be given to an Igbo man and let us see what he will do in four years. I bet you Nigeria will change for good. Nigeria will get to the moon because so many things will happen. That is what we should do if we love Nigeria.
In less than two weeks, Nigeria will be celebrating her 59th independence anniversary; do you think we have fared well as a country, looking at where we are today?
We have not done well at all. Those countries like Malaysia, Singapore and others that were behind us in the past are now far ahead of us in science and technology, in productivity, in employment and civilisation. So, how can we have done well? I weep when this kind of issue comes up. I have tears in my eyes because I know that 50 or 60 years ago, Nigeria was much better than what it is today and I don’t know why.
What do you think the political leaders should be doing at this point in time?
The political leaders should have a vision; a vision that should be characteristic of a nation like Nigeria. We have the population. We are the largest country in Africa. We have the human being – the intellectuals, but we are not performing. We are not being empowered to perform, and you ask why? What is holding the leadership down? That is what beats my imagination. Nigeria is capable of doing so many things but we are not prepared to do that. We are just at a standstill. We are just worshipping tribalism and that is the main problem of this country.
The President last week disbanded the Economic Management Team headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and established the Economic Advisory Council without Osinbajo. This singular action has been generating mixed reactions from across the country, with some people describing it as a move by the North to take full control of both the economy and politics of Nigeria ahead of 2023 presidency. Yet, others see the move as the best way to go. What is your view on that?
Well, if the Vice President was doing a good job, why disband the economic team that he was heading for an economic advisory council. The question would be: was his role on the job good or bad? Since he was doing a good job and he is the number two man in the country, I don’t see the sense in removing him from there. He was the number two man. He represented the president. He acted as president for Mr. when President Buhari was sick in the hospital for several months and the president trusted him with all that. So, why can’t he now chair the economic advisory council? Honestly, it seems somehow. It gets me confused. I hope it is not a loss of confidence on the vice president by Mr. President.
So, you agree that the establishment of the economic advisory council was good but that the vice president should have continued to chair it?
Yes, members of the Economic Advisory Council seem to be men of integrity. One of the members, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is well known in the economic sector. He was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. A couple of other members also have good credentials; why remove the vice president? If you are removing the vice president, perhaps, you are not comfortable with him as the vice president again. That is the impression out there and it is not good at all.
The issue of bailout fund given to states in 2017 is in the news again. The Federal Government has said it would start deduction at source from the states’ allocation as from next month. The governors are asking for proper audit of the fund before any deduction is made. Where do you stand on all of these?
I stand with the governors. They are right because there is nothing wrong with auditing the fund. Audit the fund and they will pay. They are not saying they won’t pay; if they say they won’t pay, that will be a difficult thing. But, since they are willing to pay but that the fund must be audited first, I don’t think it is bad. When people make good suggestions, they should be accepted and the country will move forward.
Recently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a-two-percent increase in VAT. This is coming at a time when many Nigerians are passing through serious economic challenges; what do you think about such an economic policy?
I think it is not a reflection of the economic reality in the country now. People are having difficult time at present, and asking them to pay more doesn’t look good to me at all.
The issue of insecurity in Nigeria is clearly staring us in the face, with many calling for the sack of the country’s security chiefs and appointment of new hands to inject fresh ideas on how to tackle the problem. What are your thoughts?
I think the security lapses are very scandalous to the reputation of Nigeria in the international community. Nigeria is respected as a great nation in Africa. This type of security situation is very embarrassing. I will advise the president to do whatever he needs to do to bring about a change very fast. As an army general and former Head of State of Nigeria, let him show what he is made of. Let him stop insecurity in Nigeria completely. Whatever it takes for him to do it, he should do it. If it means changing the security chiefs, he should do that and bring in new ones, let us see if they will perform better. That is the only way to know that the president is serious. Every possible thing should be done. Whatever that is worth doing, should be done. Even if the president’s brother is one of the security chiefs, he should remove him and put a new man and let us see how the new man would perform. The security of Nigerians comes first because they need to be alive to be able to perform their duties as Nigerians. If you are not alive, what are you talking about? This is the most important thing that should be done. The president should leave every other thing and face security.
Biafra
Tinubu Refused To Honour Our Agreement To Release Nnamdi Kanu After Election– Kanu’s Brother
Disclosing that the meeting had the blessing of the president, Emmanuel, however, lamented that Tinubu has refused to honour the pact by releasing his elder brother and the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the DSS dungeon in Abuja, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has said they had an agreement with President Bola Tinubu for the release of his elder brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Emmanuel disclosed that he had the pact with Tinubu’s son, Seyi, in Abuja before the 2023 presidential election.
Disclosing that the meeting had the blessing of the president, Emmanuel, however, lamented that Tinubu has refused to honour the pact by releasing his elder brother and the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the DSS dungeon in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to him, it was agreed that IPOB would not bycott the polls on the condition that Tinubu would release Kanu if elected President.
Prince Emmanuel expressed disappointment that nearly two years after the emergence of Tinubu as President, his brother (Kanu), has continued to languish in detention despite the fact that the presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, had since recused herself from the matter.
He said it was disappointing that those who claimed to be honourable, failed to keep their words.
The statement read:”Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi the son of President Tinubu wanted to see me. I agreed to meet with him on the condition that the overriding priority and hence the fulcrum of our discussion will be the release of my brother. The meeting was held in Abuja in the presence of another individual whom I asked along to witness the deliberations and if need be provide independent verification should the need arise.
“Seyi confirmed to me that his father sanctioned the meeting and that I should consider any agreement we reach as binding on the then candidate Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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“In good faith we agreed that I shall relay the outcome to my brother to reinforce the long held tradition of IPOB not interfering with the conduct of elections, either through boycott or any other form of civil disobedience. This understanding was duly communicated to my brother and he reaffirmed his commitment not to stop the elections or order any boycott.
“When President Tinubu as a candidate visited Owerri during his campaign, he too reiterated his commitment to facilitate the release of my brother if elected. We took his public statement as a tacit reaffirmation of the understanding I reached with his son Seyi.
“At the end, IPOB did not call for election boycott despite having the capacity to do so. IPOB also made sure that discordant voices urging election boycott were overcome because election boycotts would not reflect well on the reputation of a global movement that prides itself on adherence to democratic tenets.
“It therefore, defies logic that nearly two years after President Tinubu assumed the mantle of leadership in Nigeria, my brother is still in detention despite not having any charge against him. It’s been over three months now that Justice Binta Nyako recused herself from the case yet no new judge has been assigned the case.
“This is on top of the fact that Appeal Court had earlier discharged him of the sham charges and ordered his release which the previous regime of Buhari declined to obey.
“Supreme Court determination that his bail ought not to have been revoked has been ignored by the courts and the government. The latest insult is that Abuja courts of all persuasion are no longer willing to determine the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on merit but are rather relying on ludicrous and inapplicable technicalities to stall the timely determination of his cases.
“The truth is that Nigerian courts cannot, will not and do not have both the substantive and procedural jurisdiction to try him. His detention is without the backing of any known law in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world.”
International
US ELECTION: Trump Escapes Three Assassination Attempts, What Next As Date Draws Near?
“We seen them trying to get rid of D. Trump 3 times already. They all know who’s going to win. But now since he is still alive we will see overtly on a systematic level through this election where it will be obvious to everyone what they are willing to do to retain power.”
The desperation of interested parties to retain power and occupy the Oval Office in the White House, United States of America, has led to three failed assassination attempts on the 45th US President, Donald John Trump.
Trump is the Republican Party’s Presidential nominee in the November 5th Presidential election, and adjudged as the 47th US President hopeful in the forthcoming election, if it will be free and fair by all standards and without interferences from the “Obamas” “Hillarys” “Deep State” etc.
The “fight” to retain power in the White House has become dirtiest from 2020 to 2024, a clear statement of extreme desperation leading to blackmail, chaos and possible escalations of assassination attempts.
A post made on X by “Ariel @Prolotario1” stated that “The Beast” will “become extremely desperate” because they know who will win the election if it will be a free and fair election.
The post reads in full:
“I hope everyone is ready for these remaining months up into inauguration. Because we will see “The Beast” become extremely desperate. They didn’t want to rely on attempting to steal the election.
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“We seen them trying to get rid of D. Trump 3 times already. They all know who’s going to win. But now since he is still alive we will see overtly on a systematic level through this election where it will be obvious to everyone what they are willing to do to retain power.
“Will we get a power grid outage?
“Will we get another false flag?
“Will the Project Bluebeam be launched?
“There are multiple things they can pull from. But I do not think we will leave the remainder of 2024 behind without some massive event occurring? Since 1988 we have had something major happen every 12 years.
“1988 (Elusive Mind Wipe)
“1999 (Y2k)
“2012 (Mayan Calendar)
“2024? Will it be obvious this time?
“Either way we have had many clues that everything will happen this year in terms of things coming to a point where it can no longer be ignored. Which is why I think the Deep State will pull something off to jump start this process.
“Donald Trump said many times on his Truthsocial account that the US Military is standing by. One time he mentioned during his Las Vegas rally that they will step in if November 5th is interfered with. We have to prepare for anything.”
The recent 90th birthday tributes to the Nigeria’s Former Head of State, who led Nigeria to war in defence of its unity against the young Biafra Republic between 1967-1970, General Yakubu Gowon, have attracted various reactions, condemnations and affirmations across the country.
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Gregory Peter Obi, was among other Nigerians who wrote glowing tributes to the Former Nigeria’s Head of State who presided over what is adjudged as the second worst genocide in world’s history, after the Hitler’s Holocaust against the Jews in Nazi Germany.
Below is the full read of Mr. Peter Obi’s tribute:
“I am privileged to join other Nigerians of goodwill to celebrate a highly respected leader and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary.
“In a time of hate, you stood for love. At a time of strife, you stood for peace. At a time of division, you stood for unity.
“Your life of service to our great nation, Nigeria, stand as one of sacrifice, leadership, and unity.
“Your steadfast commitment to preserving the peace and sovereignty of Nigeria during a challenging period in our history will forever be remembered and revered.
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“Your exemplary leadership and statesmanship remain an inspiration to younger and many generations of Nigerians.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I pray that God continues to grant you good health, wisdom, and the grace of true fruitfulness.
“May your legacy continue to guide us as we strive to build a more united, prosperous, and just Nigeria.
“Happy 90th birthday, Sir. -PO”
However, BARR Malcolm OMIRHOBO reacted in contrast to the glowing tributes accolades given to the Former military ruler, blaming the war of aggression led by Gowon against Biafra on his “poor and weak leadership style, youthful exuberance and immaturity.”
Barr. Malcolm accused Gen. Yakubu Gowon of “refusal, failure or negligence to stop the senseless killings of Igbos and their look alike throughout Nigeria, especially in the North, by civilians and members of the armed forces.”
The outspoken lawyer also accused Gen. Gowon of refusing the Aburi Accord without any good reason.
Full read of his reaction:
“It is not true that South-East desire to secede that led to the Nigeria/Biafra War but rather it was Gowon’s poor and weak leadership style, colonial mentality, youthful exuberance and immaturity that led to the Nigerian /Biafran war.
“Gowon refused , failed and/or neglected to stop the senseless killing of the Igbos and their look alikes through out Nigeria especially in the North by civilians and members of the armed forces .
“He refused to provide funds to the Eastern Region Government to cater for the injured and displaced Igbos that ran to their home land for safety from all parts of Nigeria .
*Gowon without any good reason refused the Aburi Accord .
“For the records the Igbo fought in self defence.”
In response to Mr. Peter Obi’s tribute to General Yakubu Gowon, DR. MO (MOSES PAUL) wrote this:
“As usual, I called Mr. Peter Obi after seeing some of the responses to the tweet on Daddy Gowon, and I said, “Some people are not happy, Sir.”
“Mr. @PeterObi responded, “Mo, I have always told you, never to dwell on yesterday, to agonize over it, or remain unforgiving. We cannot be trapped by the events of the past. Instead, we must be grateful to God for today and look forward to tomorrow with hope.”
“I understand the negative comments, and I deeply regret the painful history that took place over 50 years ago, though I know little firsthand, only what I have been told. It is a sad chapter for many, including my own family. My father, unfortunately, lost his thriving business during that period and passed away, which remains a deep personal loss for me.”
“My comment today, however, was about General Gowon’s removal from office and the grace with which he has handled those difficult events. It wasn’t about the war itself. The focus was on the life he has led since his removal, and his remarkable ability to remain prayerful and steadfast in his commitment to Nigeria.”
“When I was governor, he visited my state, and we spoke as father and son. He even led a national prayer for Nigeria in my state. Our discussions were never about the war—we spoke about the future of Nigeria, and his concern was always for the country’s progress, not his past or the people who removed him from office.”
“PO Mr @PeterObi has always shared with me his deep respect and personal closeness to ‘Ikemba’ Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. He regarded Ojukwu as a true hero, someone whose leadership and vision he admired greatly. @PeterObi’s loyalty to Ojukwu was resolute until his last days, and he took it upon himself to ensure that Ojukwu received a befitting burial, one that remains unmatched to this day, honoring his legacy with the dignity it deserved.”
“Mr. @PeterObi’s commitment goes beyond personal ties; he is determined to see a future that works for everyone. His vision for Nigeria is one of unity and progress, where the mistakes of the past do not hold us back or divide us. Instead, he believes in learning from history and building a better and greater future for generations to come.”
“Mo, tell me, is there any nation today that hasn’t faced civil war? From America to Great Britain, many have painful histories of war, yet they are not trapped by the past. Instead, they have forgiven, not forgotten, and used that healing to build successful futures.”
“People need to be closer to PO to truly understand how forgiving and loving he is. He is always looking ahead, desperately focused on building a better and greater future for all Nigerians irespective or tribe and religion and most importantly for the generations to come.”
-DrMo
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