President of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, Evangelist Elliot Uko, has urged Igbo youths to remain calm and await the decision of Igbo leaders next week, following the Kano bomb blast which led to the death of 110 people.
Speaking with newsmen, Uko holds northern leaders and politicians responsible for the Boko Haram insurgency, saying that sponsors of the sect have murdered sleep.
“We said something. we called for calm and restraint. We are still consulting. Ndigbo will take a solid decision next week. The sponsors of Boko Haram have murdered sleep. Kano bombing is unpardonable, but we will not scream in the media. It serves no useful purpose,” Uko replied when asked why IYM has been quiet on the issue.
“The strategy to deliberately attack Ndigbo and draw us into the fray is evil and heartless. We hold northern leaders and politicians responsible. I doubt if Nigeria will remain the same. We will not dance to the script of political strategists of Boko Haram. We will not react the way they hope we will react. We will not kill innocent Northerners; it is not in our character anyway. Boko Haram cannot manipulate us to dance to its script and set Nigeria on fire on their own terms.
“We will not do their bidding. But Ndigbo will take a decision after several meetings next week. We have gotten past the stage of screaming in the media and afterward nothing happens. We will not shout in the media anymore. We call for calm and restraint. Ndigbo will meet soon.
Speaking further, Uko said the unrest in the country is all about political power. He points at northern leaders as being the ones behind the insurgency.
“Exploiting religion and ethnicity has always been the Northern politician’s card for decades. It is purely political they are struggling for power with President Jonathan and as usual Ndigbo becomes victim. It is all about 2015; it is all about political power. Discerning Nigerians saw through this desperation for central power long ago.
“Boko Haram is merely a tool in the hands of ruthless politicians who promised to make Nigeria ungovernable. We believe President Jonathan understands the dynamics. We sympathize with him, but we will no longer wait for him to protect Ndigbo.
At the IYM 14th annual convention at Nike Lake resort, Enugu recently, all the speakers demanded for a National conference before 2015 elections. Uko says it’s the only way forward for Nigeria, and the National Assembly will definitely see reasons why the convention must hold.
“It is not a matter of National Assembly agreeing with anybody. Rather, it is the issue of truth and reality. Does anybody really believe Nigeria will move ahead without a National conference? Without restructuring? Does anyone really think postponing it would make the demand for it die down? Truth is truth. No matter how long you try to stifle it. Truth is Nigeria cannot move on without a fundamental restructuring through a National conference. It is the only road map to a truly greater Nigeria.
“From the volume of emails and calls we’ve received from eminent Nigerians who are really excited and supportive of the Nigerian project agenda of a National conference before 2015 elections, you could tell that the National Assembly will see reason.
“Those afraid of a National Conference fall actually into two categories: Our compatriots who fear for the survival of the entity Nigeria and politicians who are blinded by their desire for self-accommodation in the present Nigerian system that they cannot see the danger ahead if a dialogue is delayed. Both groups are wrong. Only a National Conference will save Nigeria. That is the truth.
Reacting to what one of President Jonathan’s aides, Dr. Doyin Okupe said regarding Professor Ben Nwabueze’s comments that Nigeria was becoming a failed state, Uko believes Okupe was just an overzealous aide.
“What Nigerians saw was an overzealous Okupe abusing Prof. Nwabueze. But events have since covered Okupe with shame. Gen. TY Danjuma used words like “Total Anarchy” “Civil War”, “Human life Cheapened” to describe the country and Okupe has not told him his remarks are irresponsible and unpatriotic. Governor Suswam of Benue State said in Kaduna exactly the same thing Professor Nwabueze said; that Nigeria is drifting towards a failed state status.
“Other commentators are telling us all by the day that our categorization with Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, Somalia, etc. is a situation Nigerians would want to come out from. There is only one way out; a National Conference.
Despite the on-going constitution amendment exercise of the National Assembly, Uko still insists a National Conference must hold.
“Let them call for a referendum asking Nigeria whether they want a National Conference or not. I assure you that 98 percent will vote for a National Conference. Nigerians want to save Nigeria and everybody understands that only a National Conference will move this great country forward.
The merger of some political parties to challenge the PDP, Uko says as good as it is, it’s not the next step in a country like ours.
“Whereas a strong opposition is good for the development of a strong democratic culture, we all should be more interested in saving Nigeria from implosion. Restructuring Nigeria through a national conference is far more important that mergers.
“A national conference before the 2015 elections will guarantee 2015 as the best year for this country. Nigeria must restructure before 2015 so that the elections of 2015 will usher in a new era.”
